• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Regular/Temporary: Temporary
• End Date if Temporary: 11/30/24
• Hours Per Week: 20
• Salary Range: $60.00-$60.00

Position Summary

The Office of Public Interest/Public Service Law and Careers (PI/PS) at Columbia Law School provides career services, programming, and specialized opportunities to students and graduates interested in exploring public interest, government, and human rights careers. PI/PS is one of the largest and most specialized public interest advising centers at any U.S. law school and leads conversations on campus about cutting-edge racial and social justice issues and other intersections of law and justice. PI/PS also oversees the Law School’s pro bono program, Human Rights Internship Program, and the Public Interest/Public Service Fellows Program. Please visit https://www.law.columbia.edu/about/departments/PIPS to learn more.

The Variable Hours Officer- Interim Government Career Adviser at PI/PS will focus on providing career services support to students interested in pursuing a career in government-related roles. The role will primarily focus on third-year law students seeking postgraduate employment in the government sector, as well as second-year law students seeking summer internships in the government sector. This support will include, among other things, meeting individually with students to discuss career options, reviewing relevant application materials, conducting mock interviews, and engaging in employer outreach. In addition to this work with second and third-year students, the incumbent will provide career advising services to first-year students. While the majority of the incumbent’s time will focus on student advising work, the incumbent may also host programs at the law school to educate students about government work, such as through guest lecturers and panels.

The position is a flexible, part-time (20 hours/week) role. The incumbent may choose to do this role remotely, onsite, or a hybrid of these options. The role is also term-limited and will run from approximately early September to early November.

Responsibilities

Reporting directly to the Dean of the Office of Public Interest/Public Service Law and Careers, the Interim Government Career Adviser: 

1. Counsels and assists second and third-year students interested in government careers. Specifically, helping second-year students secure a summer internship and third-year students secure postgraduate employment. A significant portion of this time will be devoted to helping third-year students prepare their applications for postgraduate fellowships and honors programs in the government sector. (50%)

2. Counsels and assists individual first-year students. While this counseling may touch upon all areas of public interest or public sector work, much of the advising will be directed towards students interested in the government sector—particularly for their first-year summer internship. (40%)

3. Collaborates with other PI/PS advisers, Law School student groups (especially those focused on government work), Centers and other stakeholders to present programs, workshops, reading groups, or other opportunities or support to students interested in public service. (5%)

4.  Performs additional responsibilities as assigned and requested. (5%) 

Minimum Qualifications

• J.D. and experience in the government sector are required. 
• Five years of professional experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience required.
• Experience with law student professional development and career advising.
• Demonstrated experience working successfully with students or constituents of diverse races, ethnicities, religions, orientations, abilities, cultural backgrounds, and diverse perspectives required.
• Interest in diversity, equity, and inclusion and an eagerness to prioritize these values within all aspects of the work. 
• Superior research, oral and written communication skills (including public speaking), outstanding interpersonal and organization skills, and computer literacy are required. 
• Ability to design and manage own projects with minimal supervision, to be part of a diverse and collegial team, to work under pressure, and to balance competing responsibilities necessary. 
• Availability for occasional evening work may be required.
• Must be able to work with diverse constituencies and support an inclusive work environment.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.