Senior Program Specialist - Career Development

The University of Texas at Austin; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 56,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Paid time off

TRS retirement

Tuition assistance

LinkedIn Learning access

Flexible spending accounts

Job summary

The University of Texas at Austin is seeking a Senior Program Specialist for Career Development within Utilities and Energy Management in Austin, TX. The role focuses on designing, implementing, and evaluating career development initiatives to grow talent across UEM.

The successful candidate will coordinate programs, collaborate with divisions, manage records, and provide training support. A strong background in program management and workforce development is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Human Resources, or Business Administration.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in career development programs, workforce development, or a related field.
• Strong understanding of career development systems, policies, and regulations.
• Experience working with a variety of groups, including new employees, mentors, and training providers.
• Excellent organizational, project management, and time management skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage and build relationships with various stakeholders.
• Ability to analyze program data, prepare reports, and make data‑driven recommendations.

Responsibilities

• Career Development Program Management: Coordinate and oversee all aspects of the UEM career development program, ensuring compliance with the governing body.
• Collaboration with Stakeholders: Identify career development opportunities, skills gaps, and training needs across divisions.
• Documentation and Records Keeping: Track employee progress, certifications, and milestones.
• Career Development Program Training: Develop and coordinate training programs and engage external vendors as needed.
• Organize training sessions and workshops for UEM employees.
• Reporting: Develop and maintain reports; ensure data accuracy and transparency.
• Technical Program Support: Support existing and new technical programs and take notes in meetings.

Skills

Project management

Time management

Organizational skills

Communication skills

MS Office Suite

Learning Management System

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Education, Human Resources, or Business Administration

Tools

MS Office

Learning Management System (LMS)

Job description

Senior Program Specialist - Career Development

Hiring Department: Utilities and Energy Management

Position Open To: All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours: 40

FLSA Status: Exempt from FLSA

Earliest Start Date: Immediately

Position Duration: Expected to Continue

Location: AUSTIN, TX

Who We Are

We are “the power behind UT”. Utilities and Energy Management (UEM) provides reliable and cost-effective electricity, chilled water, steam, deionized water, compressed air, emergency power, and elevator services for The University of Texas at Austin. We have more than 170 employees in five divisions: Utilities Operations; Utilities Distribution; Controls and Operating Technology; Finance: Technical Programs and Services; Sustainability: and Engineering and Resource Management.

We are looking for

• Safety: Commitment to the well-being of our fellow employees, ourselves, and the campus community.
• Respect: Treating everyone with fairness and dignity.
• Integrity: Transparency, honesty, trust and ethics in our work and our relationships.
• Reliability: Delivery of consistent, dependable, and uninterrupted services.
• Teamwork: Working together through cooperation, contribution, and the sharing of our knowledge.
• Excellence: Setting the highest standards through innovation, collaboration, forward-thinking, and stewardship.

Benefits

• Competitive health benefits (employee premiums covered at 100%, family premiums at 50%)
• Voluntary Vision, Dental, Life, and Disability insurance options
• Generous paid vacation, sick time, and holidays
• Teachers Retirement System of Texas, a defined benefit retirement plan, with employer matching funds
• Additional Voluntary Retirement Programs: Tax Sheltered Annuity 403(b) and a Deferred Compensation program 457(b)
• Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses
• Robust free training access through LinkedIn Learning plus professional conference opportunities.
• Tuition assistance
• Expansive employee discount program including athletic tickets
• Free access to UT Austin's libraries and museums with staff ID card
• Free rides on all UT shuttle and Austin CapMetro buses with staff ID card

Must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis for any employee without sponsorship.

Purpose

The Senior Program Specialist will collaborate with all UEM divisions to support the development and implementation of the UEM career development program. This individual will play a pivotal role in designing, implementing, and evaluating career development initiatives that support the growth and development of talent within UEM. The ideal candidate will bring expertise in program management, workforce development, and a strong understanding of career development frameworks and regulations. The specialist will assist with reporting, data analysis, project initiation, and training. The specialist will also assist with other UEM technical programs and initiatives as needed.

Responsibilities

• Career Development Program Management: Coordinate and oversee all aspects of the UEM career development program, ensuring compliance with the governing body. Evaluate program effectiveness, compiling data and feedback to recommend improvements and ensure the program alignment with business objectives.
• Collaboration with Stakeholders: Collaborate with UEM divisions to identify career development opportunities, skills gaps, and areas of training needs. Develop and maintain relationships with educational institutions, training partners, and industry associations to create career development opportunities.
• Documentation and Records Keeping: Track and maintain detailed records of UEM employees, including progress reports, certifications, and milestones. Monitor career development program performance, providing feedback and identifying areas for improvement to ensure success in the program.
• Career Development Program Training: Collaborate with UEM units on the development of career development programs to promote a culture of career growth. Provide training coordination and support for career development programs, and conduct meetings. Coordinate external training vendors for onsite training sessions. Ensure engagement and consultation with key stakeholders continually to ensure the training aligns with the program guidelines.
• Organize training sessions, workshops, and other development activities for UEM employees, ensuring learning outcomes are met.
• Reporting: Develop and maintain reports as needed to enhance work efforts for all UEM divisions. Reports may include but are not limited to employee training data and cost analysis. Review and validate report data for accuracy. Ensure transparency and accountability by tracking and reporting work order metrics. Collaborate with UEM stakeholders on report development and revisions.
• Technical Program Support: Support existing and new technical programs in the development of new initiatives that support UEM’s strategic priorities. Leverage technology and best practices to improve program efficiency, effectiveness, and stakeholder satisfaction. Coordinate meetings and provide note‑taking and documentation support. Perform other related functions as assigned. Attend staff meetings and take all required trainings. Adhere to University and UEM policies and procedures. Perform work tasks in a safe manner, wear appropriate personal protective equipment, and report near misses, safety hazards, and incidents to appropriate personnel.
• Carry a UT‑provided cell phone during work hours and on‑call hours and respond to calls received. Drive a UT vehicle, and maintain an acceptable driving record as required by UT System Policy UTS157.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Human Resources, or Business Administration.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in career development programs, workforce development, or a related field.
• Strong understanding of career development systems, policies, and regulations.
• Experience working with a variety of groups, including new employees, mentors, and training providers.
• Excellent organizational, project management, and time management skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage and build relationships with various stakeholders.
• Ability to analyze program data, prepare reports, and make data‑driven recommendations.
• Proficient in MS Office Suite; experience with Learning Management Systems (LMS) or career development management platforms is a plus.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree (master's or higher) Education, Human Resources, or Business Administration.
• 5+ years of experience in career development programs, workforce development, or a related field.
• Experience in a role involving workforce development, career services, or training coordination.
• Knowledge of career development programs in utilities or engineering industry.
• Certification in project management, adult education, or workforce development.

Driving Required

• class "C" operator's driver's license. The applicant selected must provide a current three year driving record from the current state of residence.
• If not currently a Texas resident, a Texas driver's license must be obtained within 30 days of becoming a Texas resident.

Salary Range

Salary Range $62,000

Environmental Demands

• Uniforms and/or personal protection equipment.
• May work in all weather conditions.
• May work in extreme temperatures.
• May work around chemical fumes.
• May work around standard office conditions.
• May work around biohazards.
• May work around chemicals.
• May work around electrical and mechanical hazards.

Physical Tasks

• Use of a keyboard and personal computer
• Fine manual dexterity
• May be required to perform elevated work.
• Occasional work from ladders and/or scaffolds.
• May be required to lift up to 50lbs.
• Often required to twist, grasp, push, pull and bend.

Additional Working Conditions

• May be required to work extended shifts including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• May be exposed to loud noise, high dust and allergen levels.
• Drive University vehicles.
• Maintain acceptable driver rating as established in Policy: UTS157 Section 2.5.4.

Work Shift

Work location: Onsite.

Hours per week: 40 hours.

Schedule type: Monday to Friday, with the specific schedule to be discussed with the supervisor.

Employment Eligibility

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers.

Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

Retirement Plan Eligibility

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Background Checks

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Pay Transparency

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

Employment Eligibility Verification

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

E-Verify

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following: E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF] Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF] Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

Compliance

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.

Comments and Inquiries

Email comments to [e-mail].

For questions or concerns regarding equal opportunity only, contact Equal Opportunity Services.

Additional information for applicants can be found on the Human Resources web page: Applying for Employment.

For more job information, call the Human Resource Service Center at [phone], or toll-free at [phone].

UT Austin is a Tobacco-free Campus