Public Service Careers Manager

Job Description

The Evans School of Public Policy & Governance (Evans School) is a nationally top ranked school of public policy and governance. Its purpose is to inspire public service and democratize public policy by advancing a mission of educating leaders, generating knowledge, and hosting communities to co-create solutions to pressing societal problems. We currently implement an array of impactful learning programs for professionals and will be continuing to broaden that array. The Evans School promotes diversity and inclusivity among out staff, faculty and students; we seek applicants for this position who are committed to these principles and whose experiences have prepared them to fulfill our commitment to inclusion and have given them the confidence to fully engage with audiences from a wide spectrum of backgrounds and life journeys.

The Evans School has an outstanding opportunity for a Public Service Careers Manager to join the Public Service Leadership Pathways (PSLP) team.

About this Opportunity

The Public Service Careers Manager supports students in preparing for and entering public service careers. Reporting to the Director of Public Service Leadership Pathways (PSLP), Public Service Careers Manager develops programs and opportunities that connect students with public service employers, alumni, internships, residencies, and professional development. The role helps students build the skills, experience, and networks needed to navigate public service career pathways and pursue employment and leadership opportunities. They collaborate with Student Affairs, Learning, Teaching & Innovation (SALTI) teams, faculty, and staff across the Evans School to advance student career development and experiential learning.

Work is performed on the Seattle Campus in Parrington Hall, primarily in a shared workspace, with regular student-facing interactions and collaboration with faculty, staff, and campus partners. The position requires frequent movement throughout the campus and occasional meetings at other locations with students, community partners, and external stakeholders. The role involves facilitating programs, events, meetings, and workshops in a variety of settings and may require occasional schedule flexibility (may need to work some nights and weekend) to support student engagement and program activities. The position will benefit from a hybrid-work schedule with three days in the office and two days eligible for telework per week.

Key Responsibilities

Curriculum & Program Development — 20%

• Develop and facilitate career readiness seminars and professional development programming.
• Develop and refine experiential learning programs, including internships, residencies, externships, and other applied learning opportunities
• Collaborate with PSLP and SALTI colleagues on student programming through existing and emergent initiatives to support students’ public service leadership development.
• Develop emerging programs in response to student and public service workforce needs.

Employer & Alumni Engagement — 40%

• Build and maintain relationships with public service employers across sectors, with an emphasis on local and regional government.
• Serve on the Evans School Engagement HUB to ensure that all prospective external partners have access to relevant Evans School opportunities that support their personal and professional public service goals
• Partner with Evans Advancement and External Engagement team and collaborate to map alumni career pathways and strategically connect alumni and employers with students.
• Work with employers and Evans alumni to develop student programming and experiential learning opportunities to enhance their exposure to public service careers.

Student Engagement & Career Development — 30%

• Connect students with employers, alumni, internships, residencies, and other career development opportunities.
• Support students in exploring public service career pathways and building career readiness skills.
• Deliver career-focused programming, including high impact signature events, fairs, panels, networking events, Service to Service, and Peace Corps programming.
• Use first-destination and alumni career data to inform student career programming and opportunities.

Operations & Administration — 10%

• Coordinate logistics and communications for career and experiential learning programs and events.
• Manage student opportunity processes, including outreach, applications, matching, and placement.
• Track participation, outcomes, employer/alumni engagement, and program effectiveness.
• Support other PSLP initiatives and duties as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

To be considered for this opportunity your application must demonstrate you meet both the minimum qualifications and additional qualifications listed below. Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Three years of relevant experience in career development, experiential learning, employer/alumni engagement, higher education, workforce development, or a related field.
• Applicants who do not meet these qualifications WILL NOT be forwarded to the Hiring Department.

Additional Qualifications

• Experience developing and delivering student-facing programs, career programming, or experiential learning opportunities.
• Experience building and managing relationships with employers, alumni, community partners, or other external stakeholders.
• Strong communication, project management, and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated interest in public service careers and supporting students in their professional development.

 Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with public service employers, government agencies, nonprofits, or other mission-driven organizations.
• Knowledge of public service career pathways and the skills and experiences valued across public and nonprofit sectors.
• Experience developing and managing internships, residencies, fellowships, externships, or other experiential learning programs.
• Established networks with public service employers, alumni, or other professionals.
• Experience using career outcomes or alumni data to inform program development and student engagement.
• Comfort working in a dynamic, evolving organization where priorities may shift, and new opportunities emerge.
• Demonstrated curiosity, agility, and openness to innovation, experimentation, and continuous improvement.
• Ability to work collaboratively across academic, student affairs, advancement, and external engagement teams.

Working Conditions

The Evans School is a dynamic, collaborative, and innovative environment committed to addressing society’s most persistent challenges. This position requires someone who thrives in an evolving environment, embraces innovation and new approaches, and adapts effectively to shifting priorities and emerging opportunities. Success in this role depends on flexibility, collaboration, initiative, and a willingness to continuously learn and respond to the changing needs of students, partners, and the broader public service community.

Work is performed on the Seattle Campus in Parrington Hall, primarily in a shared workspace, with regular student-facing interactions and collaboration with faculty, staff, and campus partners. The position requires frequent movement throughout the campus and occasional meetings at other locations with students, community partners, and external stakeholders. The role involves facilitating programs, events, meetings, and workshops in a variety of settings and may require occasional schedule flexibility(may need to work some nights and weekend) to support student engagement and program activities. The position will benefit from a hybrid-work schedule with three days in the office and two days eligible for telework per week.

Additional Application Requirement

This recruitment requires a cover letter. Applications that do not include a cover letter will not be forwarded to the hiring department.

Please address the following in your cover letter:

• Tell us about a significant career development initiative, experiential learning opportunity, or external partnership you helped bring to life that demonstrates your ability to connect students with meaningful professional opportunities.
  • What need or opportunity did you identify, how did you develop the strategy and cultivate the relationships necessary to move it forward, and how did you translate those relationships into tangible opportunities for students?
• In your response, address how you engaged and supported students, navigated the complexities of implementation, responded to challenges or emerging workforce needs, and assessed the impact of your work.
  • What did you accomplish, what did you learn, and how does this experience reflect the kind of leadership and relationship-building you would bring to this role?

About the Team

The Public Service Leadership Pathways (PSLP) team at the University of Washington’s Evans School of Public Policy & Governance cultivates the next generation of public service leaders. Through an integrated, student-centered ecosystem of programs, partnerships, experiential learning, and career development opportunities, PSLP helps students discover their interests, explore career pathways, build leadership skills, gain professional experience, and launch meaningful public service careers.

The team fosters connections among students, alumni, public service professionals, and community partners, building a lifelong community where graduates return as leaders, mentors, and contributors who help shape pathways for future generations.

Compensation, Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum:

$69,000.00 annual

Pay Range Maximum:

$76,200.00 annual

Other Compensation:

-

Benefits:

For information about benefits for this position, visit https://www.washington.edu/jobs/benefits-for-uw-staff/

Shift:

First Shift (United States of America)

Temporary or Regular?

This is a regular position

FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):

100.00%

Union/Bargaining Unit:

Not Applicable

About the UW 

Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives – on our campuses, in our state and around the world.  

UW employees bring their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world. In return, they enjoy outstanding benefits, opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty. 

Our Commitment 

The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer, the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or [email protected]. 

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.