Student Affairs Generalist

Pennsylvania State University; State College (Centre County); On-site; USD 28,000 - 34,000; Part time

Job summary

Pennsylvania State University in State College is seeking a part-time Student Affairs Generalist to support divisional initiatives across the Student Affairs division. This role provides flexible, cross-functional support to the division, covering short-term projects, seasonal peaks, staff vacancies, or emerging initiatives.

Reporting to the Senior Director of Administration and Chief of Staff for Student Affairs, the Generalist works with divisional staff to complete discrete tasks that foster

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field preferred; equivalent combination of education and experience considered.
• 1+ years of relevant experience in higher education, student services, or related support role; internship or graduate assistantship experience considered.

Responsibilities

• Assist with planning, coordination, and implementation of programs and events
• Support outreach efforts related to early-alert interventions, referrals, and general (non-crisis) student inquiries
• Assist with documentation, scheduling, and case-file organization for student conduct or advocacy processes
• Help plan and staff campus programming, tabling events, or awareness campaigns
• Assist with data entry, tracking, and basic reporting to support retention, student success, or other divisional initiatives
• Take on other short-term or seasonal projects as assigned by divisional leadership

Skills

Organization

Collaboration

Event coordination

Records management

Discretion/ confidentiality

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Penn State Student Affairs seeks a part-time Student Affairs Generalist to support divisional initiatives. The Student Affairs Generalist (Part-Time) provides flexible, cross-functional support to the Student Affairs division. Rather than supporting a single program area, this role is deployed to assist wherever capacity is needed: covering short-term projects, seasonal peaks, staff vacancies, or emerging initiatives. This position will report to the Senior Director of Administration and Chief of Staff for Student Affairs and work under the collaborative direction of divisional staff to complete discrete projects and tasks that support a student-centered campus environment.

This is a part-time, flexible, project-based position (approximately 20 hours/week) supporting the Division's broad student affairs functions on an as-needed basis. This role is designed to fill operational and programmatic gaps across student engagement, student success, accountability and care, health and wellness, and administration. The schedule and specific project assignments will shift based on divisional priorities, seasonal demands, and staffing needs, making this an ideal role for someone who thrives with variety and can move fluidly between short-term projects and ongoing support tasks.

Assignment length and hours may be adjusted based on ongoing divisional need; this is intended as an open-ended, recurring part-time role rather than a single fixed-term project.

Representative Duties

Note: Assignments will vary by project and current divisional needs. A given work period may include tasks from several of the areas below rather than all of them.

• Assist with planning, coordination, and implementation of programs and events


• Support outreach efforts related to early-alert interventions, referrals, and general (non-crisis) student inquiries


• Assist with documentation, scheduling, and case-file organization for student conduct or advocacy processes


• Help plan and staff campus programming, tabling events, or awareness campaigns


• Assist with data entry, tracking, and basic reporting to support retention, student success, or other divisional initiatives


• Take on other short-term or seasonal projects as assigned by divisional leadership

This role does not carry primary responsibility for crisis intervention, clinical case management, or independent decision-making on sensitive student matters. Those remain with the unit staff and leadership. The Generalist provides support and coordination around these functions where needed and as appropriate.

Given the flexible, project-based, nature of this role, the following skills are critical:

• Strong organization and time management; able to shift between projects quickly


• Collaboration and communication across diverse teams and offices


• Basic event/program coordination


• Records management and attention to detail


• Comfort with ambiguity and changing priorities


• Discretion and confidentiality with sensitive student information

Qualifications

Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (student affairs, education, psychology, social work, or related) preferred; equivalent combination of education and experience considered

Minimum Experience: 1+ years of relevant experience in higher education, student services, or a related support role; internship or graduate assistantship experience considered

Compensation:

Hourly rate for this job will be based on the successful candidate. Anticipated range is $20-$25/hour.

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

This position requires the following clearances in addition to applicable background checks: PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form, and Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university's teaching, research, and service mission.

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