Director for Career Services

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Working at Lewis & Clark College

The campus is located on 137 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds in Portland’s southwest hills. Our strong commitment to sustainability is reinforced through recycling programs, energy conservation, alternative transportation options, and farm to fork initiatives. For benefit-eligible positions, we offer a competitive benefits package that includes options for health, dental, vision, tuition, life insurance, retirement and more.

Lewis & Clark College is committed to achieving a diverse workforce. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to status as a protected veteran or a qualified individual with a disability, or other protected status, such as race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or age.

PRIMARY PURPOSE

The Director for Career Services within the Law School Career Services Department reports directly to the Assistant Dean of Career Services. This role is primarily responsible for leading employer outreach and recruitment strategy, counseling students and alumni on career development, cultivating relationships with legal employers and professional associations, coordinating recruitment programs and career events, and supporting the overall operations and programming of Career Services. The ideal candidate will possess a J.D., experience navigating the legal employment landscape, strong relationship-building skills, and familiarity with legal recruitment and career programming. To be successful in this position, the individual must excel at strategic outreach, student advising, program development, community engagement, data tracking and reporting, and managing multiple initiatives with strong organizational and technical skills.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Student & Alumni Career Advising

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  Advise Juris Doctor (J.D.), Master of Laws (LL.M.), and Master of Studies in Law (M.S.L.) students and alumni on career strategy across private practice, public interest, public service, judicial clerkships, and law-adjacent fields.

  
  
  

• Guide students and alumni in pursuing internships, fellowships, and post-graduate employment opportunities.

• Teach career-focused sessions within the Foundations of Legal Practice course.

  
  

• Foster student leadership and connect students with specialty bars and professional associations to expand professional networks.

Employer Relations & Recruitment Strategy

• Develop and execute employer outreach strategies to expand employment and networking opportunities for students and alumni.

• Cultivate and maintain relationships with attorneys, legal employers, bar associations, and professional organizations.

  
  

• Represent the law school at conferences, community events, and professional gatherings to enhance institutional visibility.

• Coordinate partnerships with organizations such as the Oregon Minority Lawyers Association, Oregon Trial Lawyers Association, and New Lawyers Division.

  
  

Recruitment Programs & Career Programming

• Design and implement recruitment initiatives, including career fairs and on-campus interview programs.

  
  

• Coordinate participation in programs such as the Presidential Management Fellows Program, Loyola Patent Interview Program, Oregon State Bar Diversity Employment Programs, and diversity scholarship initiatives.

• Develop and deliver workshops, panels, and career exploration programming that connect students with attorneys and prospective employers.

  
  

• Manage publicity, outreach, and registration processes for career-related events and initiatives.

Student Organization & Public Interest Engagement

• Serve as Staff Advisor to the Public Interest Law Project (PILP).

• Partner with student organizations to plan and implement community service and pro bono initiatives.

  
  

• Support fundraising activities, including the annual PILP Auction, and oversee stipend distribution processes.

Career Services Operations & Data Management

• Manage operational functions of the Career Services office, including administration of the Career Connect database and student communications.

• Utilize career services software such as 12Twenty, video conferencing platforms such as Zoom, Google Workspace tools, and Microsoft Office Suite to support advising and programming.

  
  

• Collect and analyze student and graduate employment data for reporting and assessment purposes.

• Serve as liaison to law school committees and professional associations, and participate on advisory boards when invited.

  
  

Other Duties as Assigned

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, & BEHAVIORS

• Superior knowledge of legal career pathways, including private practice, public interest, public service, judicial clerkships, and law-adjacent roles

• Proficient knowledge of the Portland and regional legal employment market, including bar associations and specialty practice groups

  
  

• Excellent understanding of recruitment strategy, employer engagement, and career services programming within a higher education or legal setting

• Proficient use of career services management platforms such as 12Twenty and data tracking systems for employment reporting

  
  

• Proficient use of Zoom, Google Workspace, and Microsoft Office Suite to support communication, event coordination, and data management

• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills that foster trust with students, alumni, employers, and community partners

  
  

• Superior written and verbal communication skills that convey complex information clearly and professionally

• Extremely strong organizational skills that prioritize multiple initiatives and maintain attention to detail

  
  

• Excellent analytical skills that interpret employment data and inform strategic decisions

• Proficient independent judgment that advances institutional goals while supporting student and alumni success

  
  

• Superior initiative and follow-through that sustain long-term employer and community partnerships

• Excellent collaboration skills that strengthen partnerships across departments, professional associations, and student organizations

  
  

• Extremely high level of professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment in sensitive or confidential matters

• Proficient adaptability that responds effectively to evolving employment trends and institutional priorities

  
  

• Excellent commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace culture where individuals of all identities and backgrounds feel respected, supported, and valued

REQUIRED EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE

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  Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school (OR) experience working in legal recruiting, attorney hiring, or professional recruitment environments.

• One year of legal experience, which may include judicial clerkship experience or comparable legal practice experience that informs career advising and understanding of legal employment pathways

  
  

• Professional experience engaging with legal employers, attorneys, or professional associations in a manner that demonstrates knowledge of legal hiring practices and career progression

PREFERRED EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE

• Two years of experience practicing law or serving as a judicial law clerk

• Experience working in higher education settings

  
  

• Familiarity with regional and national legal employment markets, including private practice, public interest, public service, and judicial clerkship pathways

• Lewis & Clark Law School alumni

  
  

• Preferred Tech: Familiarity with enterprise student and career systems such as Colleague, Slate, Taskstream, and similar higher education platforms

WORK SCHEDULE

• Full Time, Benefit Eligible

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  Schedule: 37.5 hours per week, typically Monday through Friday during traditional business hours. Requires regular evening and occasional weekend hours to support events, programming, and employer engagement activities.(default for full time is 37.5 hours per week Mon-Fri)

  
  
  

• Travel: Occasional local, regional, and national travel to attend conferences, professional meetings, recruitment events, and employer outreach activities.

• Hybrid/Remote: This position is primarily in person and based on campus. Limited hybrid flexibility may be available in alignment with departmental needs and institutional policy.

  
  
  

PAY RATE

• FLSA Status: Exempt

  
  

• Starting at $70,000 per year, with consideration for experience

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• General professional office environment within a law school setting

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer

  
  

• Frequent use of a computer, keyboard, and standard office equipment

• Move about campus buildings and event spaces to attend meetings, programs, and employer events

  
  

• Communicate effectively in person, by phone, and through virtual platforms

• Occasionally transport materials such as event supplies, printed materials, or equipment weighing up to fifteen pounds

  
  

Directions for Cover Letter

Please include a cover letter describing your interest in joining Lewis & Clark and the ways you can contribute to a culture of inclusion on our campus.

Lewis & Clark College adheres to a nondiscriminatory policy with respect to educational programs, activities, employment, and admission. We do not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, sex, religion, age, marital status, national origin, the presence of any physical or sensory disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, state, and local laws. The Associate Vice President of Human Resources has been designated to handle inquiries regarding employment- and disability-related non-discrimination policies. Title IX inquiries may be directed to the Title IX coordinator or deputy Title IX coordinators

(https://www.lclark.edu/about/title_ix_compliance).

Reasonable Accommodation

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.

Background Check

Lewis & Clark College will conduct a background check on the finalist, which will include a criminal record check. If a conviction is discovered, a determination will be made whether the conviction is related to the position for which the individual is applying or would present safety or security risks before an employment decision is made. A criminal conviction does not necessarily automatically bar an applicant from employment.

Eligibility to Work

In order to comply with US Homeland Security Department regulations, all employees must complete an I-9 form in Workday prior to or no later than the first day of work and bring originals (no photocopies) of their supporting documentation to Human Resources no later than the 3rd business day of employment. Failure to have a completed I-9 form on file with the College will result in immediate termination of employment.