Job Description

Position Title:

Student-Athlete Development Specialist

Job Group:

Professional & Scientific

Required Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree

Preferred Qualifications:

Work experience with programming to support student-athletes transition into and out of college (career coaching, life skills, civic responsibility, service learning).
Experience teaching and leading classes and/or workshops to groups.
Direct understanding of the collegiate student-athlete experience.
Experience working with Canvas, Teams, Teamworks, and Canva.

Job Description:

Are you passionate about helping student-athletes with life skills for the next chapter in their journey? Do you thrive in an environment where you can collaborate, be creative, and make a meaningful impact to student-athletes?

If so, the Athletics Department at Iowa State University is accepting applications for an entry level Student-Athlete Development Specialist (student services specialist I). The position plays an important role in providing programming and services to student-athletes that fall within the Student-Athlete Development pillars: Connection, Character Enhancement, Civic Engagement, and Career Readiness in preparation for life after college athletics.

What you’ll do:

• Assist in delivering programs to student-athletes to include personal development, life skills, community service, and career exploration; evaluating effectiveness of programs; and providing a memorable experience for our student-athletes.
• Establish and maintain relationships with stakeholders, including but not limited to student-athletes, coaches, campus, athletic alumni, donors, and local and national communities.
• Co-teach University Studies courses and assist in the planning, organization, and leading of various workshops.
• Co-lead the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).
• Stay current on best practices, trends, and research in student-development, athletics, and higher education to inform programmatic efforts.
• Responsible for adhering to the rules and regulations of the department, University, Conference, and NCAA

The ideal candidates must be comfortable presenting/teaching, ability to work collaboratively, possess strong communication skills, problem-solving skills, organized, and the ability to develop relationships with stakeholders, including but not limited to student-athletes, athletics alumni, and donors. This position requires the ability to meet with student-athletes and work events outside regular office hours including some evening and weekend meetings/events. Candidates are expected to be committed to multiculturalism and working with a diverse student-athlete body.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an on-going basis without sponsorship.

About the Athletics Department

As an NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision athletics program and a founding member of the Big 12 Conference, Iowa State University sponsors 18 intercollegiate athletics teams and supports 450 student-athletes in their pursuit of academic and athletic excellence. ISU Athletics employs over 250 talented and dedicated full-time staff members, more than 500 temporary and student employees, and multiple auxiliary partners who collaboratively work within a culture to support and enhance the experiences of Cyclone student-athletes and their loyal fan base. Iowa State student-athletes have produced 10-consecutive years of record-setting Graduation Success Rate scores in the classroom, while athletically, the Cyclones have captured 19 national team championships, 140 national individual titles and 162 conference team championships in its rich history. www.cyclones.com

Level Guidelines
• Individual contributor position with developing professional and/or technical skills working under immediate to general supervision
• Grasps professional-level knowledge and concepts of field while working in a progressive learning mode
• Works on problems and issues of somewhat limited scope
• Follows standard practices and procedures in analyzing situations or data for which answers are available or can be obtained
• Responds to inquiries and issues, escalating to manager or higher level workers as appropriate
• May lead projects of limited scope and complexity
• May provide guidance to students

Appointment Type:

Regular

Number of Months Employed Per Year:

12 Month Work Period

Time Type:

Full time

Pay Grade:

PS805

Application Instructions:

To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:

1) Resume
2) Cover Letter

3) Contact information for 3 work references

If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.

Why Choose ISU?

Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as:
• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
• Generous vacation, holiday and sick time and leave plans
• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
• Life insurance and long-term disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Various voluntary benefits and discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellbeing program

Original Posting Date:

June 12, 2025

Posting Close Date:

June 19, 2025

Job Requisition Number:

R17242