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Career Development Officer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Columbia University

Career Development Officer

New York, NY · On-site

$80K - $100K/yr

Position Summary The Career Development Officer, is responsible for numerous activities that support Climate School students and alumni in developing their career paths and preparing them for work or ...

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How much do career development officer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for career development officer in the United States is $74,448.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $58,500.00 and $84,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Career Development Officer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Career Development Officer, you need expertise in career counseling, labor market trends, and program development, often supported by a degree in counseling, human resources, or education. Familiarity with career assessment tools, job-matching software, and client management systems is typically required. Strong interpersonal, listening, and motivational skills help build rapport and effectively guide clients through career transitions. These skills ensure tailored support for diverse client needs and successful employment outcomes.

What is the difference between Career Development Officer vs Career Counselor?

AspectCareer Development OfficerCareer Counselor
Required CredentialsBachelor’s degree in human resources, psychology, or related field; certifications like CPC or NCCBachelor’s or master’s degree in psychology, counseling, or related field; counseling certifications
Work EnvironmentEducational institutions, corporate HR departments, government agenciesPrivate practice, schools, career centers, counseling agencies
Employer & Industry UsageOrganizations focusing on employee development and career planningIndividuals seeking personal career guidance or transition support
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding roles in career development and employee growthSeeking personal career advice and guidance

While both roles focus on career guidance, a Career Development Officer primarily works within organizations to develop employee programs and career pathways, whereas a Career Counselor provides personalized advice to individuals seeking career change or development. The roles often overlap in credentials and work environments but differ in scope and target audience.

How does a Career Development Officer typically collaborate with academic departments and external employers?

Career Development Officers work closely with academic departments to align career services with students' academic pursuits, often organizing workshops and employer panels relevant to specific fields of study. They also build and maintain relationships with external employers to secure internship and job opportunities for students and alumni. Regular meetings, joint events, and ongoing communication are key parts of this collaboration, ensuring that career resources and opportunities are tailored to the evolving needs of both students and the labor market.

What does a Career Development Officer do?

A Career Development Officer assists individuals—often students or job seekers—with planning and achieving their career goals. They provide guidance on resume writing, interview preparation, and job search strategies, as well as help identify appropriate training or education opportunities. These professionals may also organize workshops, connect clients with potential employers, and stay updated on job market trends to offer relevant advice. Their work supports people in making informed decisions about their professional paths.
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Career Development Officer jobs near you
Career Development Officer

Career Development Officer

Columbia University

New York, NY • On-site

$80K - $100K/yr

Full-time

Posted yesterday

Job description

  • Job Type: Officer of Administration
  • Bargaining Unit:
  • Regular/Temporary: Regular
  • End Date if Temporary:
  • Hours Per Week: 35
  • Standard Work Schedule:
  • Building:
  • Salary Range: 80,000-100,000

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.
Position Summary
The Career Development Officer, is responsible for numerous activities that support Climate School students and alumni in developing their career paths and preparing them for work or continuing education based on each student's professional and personal goals. The person will interface with key stakeholders of the MS in Climate Finance leadership team While the focus and emphasis of this position is on the MS in Climate Finance program, the position will also engage with and work on behalf of all Climate School students.
Responsibilities
  • Coach students on how to discover, create, and navigate career opportunities.
  • Meet individually with students to understand their career interests and track job search progress.
  • Report on career outcomes.
  • Conduct landscape search of relevant organizations for climate finance, including public, private, development finance, international organizations, international, multinational, and civil society organizations, and curate structured, searchable database of organizations.
  • Cultivate relationships with current and prospective employers to source (or create) high-quality internships, jobs, and capstones, and promote the candidacy of our students.
  • Develop and maintain materials that convey the unique qualifications of the MS Climate Finance students, including details about the program, the capstone and internship requirements, and the qualifications of our students.
  • Identify relevant climate finance conferences, professional affiliations, etc. to attend and highlight to students.
  • Coordinate employer info sessions, career talks, and student-alumni networking events.
  • Help to plan and execute signature career events like the All-Ivy Career Fair, and other large career networking events.
  • Coordinate with MSCF colleagues on practitioner speaker series, site visits to climate finance institutions, and other networking events and opportunities related to the MSCF.
  • Serve as key member of the MSCF leadership support teams.
  • Coordinate with Climate School colleagues that are responsible for executive education, sponsored research, and other partnership opportunities.
  • Collaborate with the career director and Climate School staff and faculty, as well as career units across the University, to continually develop strategies and partnerships for placing students in climate and sustainability roles.
  • Develop relationships with key institutional partners to identify areas of collaboration (Columbia Business School, School of Professional Studies, School of International and Public Affairs)
  • Other duties as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree and 3-5 years of related experience required.
  • Exposure to finance or climate-related sectors, with an understanding of how financial skills can be applied to sustainability and climate solutions, is a plus.
  • Experience with career coaching or student advising, or preferred background in any of the following: recruiting (executive search experience a plus), talent development, branding and marketing, or business development.
  • Demonstrated success in cultivating partnerships with external organizations that result in employment and professional development opportunities.
  • Highly motivated to build a professional network for the Climate School. Comfortable conducting outreach and cold calls. Strong follow-up skills with a focus on timely communication and task completion.
  • Experience in planning and managing events and professional development programs, and initiatives. Self-motivated, proactive, and detail-oriented, with experience establishing, documenting, and improving processes and templates to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
  • Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and contribute to team goals while delivering high-quality, accurate work.
  • Strong desire to support students with creativity, compassion, and encouragement. Ability to communicate effectively and tactfully with a diverse population of students, alumni, staff, faculty, and employers. (Note: the Climate School has a sizeable population of international students.) Familiarity with the field of climate finance is preferred.
  • Comfortable with public speaking (e.g., facilitating workshops, conducting interviews, moderating panel discussions, etc.).
  • Comfort with learning and using new systems (Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; experience with Excel pivot tables, VLOOKUPs, and 12Twenty a plus).
  • Possess a positive, creative, mission-oriented, forward-thinking attitude and sense of humor.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran
Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.

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