Hybrid Career Service Coordinator en South Puget Sound Community College

About the Department

The Career Services Coordinator reports directly to the Director of Advising, Career, and Transfer Services and is responsible for leading, developing, coordinating, and collaborating with on-campus and community stakeholders in the delivery of career programs and services. To include working with local businesses, employers, and community stakeholders to increase and encourage student experiential learning experiences, to include internships, and to coordinate and promote comprehensive career services on campus.

South Puget Sound Community College is committed to increasing its cultural diversity with an emphasis on equity and inclusion among its professional staff. A firm understanding of antiracist policy development coupled with the skills to eliminate barriers that harm underrepresented people is a college requirement. The students that we serve come from a variety of backgrounds. On average, 43% of SPSCC students are people of color. We strongly encourage members of the underrepresented groups, veterans, and bi- or multi-lingual individuals to apply for this position to help meet the needs of our diverse students and service district. 

• A healthy work/life balance for our employees with the opportunity for flexible work schedules and remote work depending on position and college needs
• Fine dining in the Percival Room, offering vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices as part of our Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts programs
• The Clipper Coffee Corner serving Batdorf & Bronson coffee and a selection of delicious food items from our baking/culinary students
• A brand new Health & Wellness Center
• FREE Bus service every 15 minutes to downtown Olympia and beyond
• FREE parking on our campuses – permits are not required
• On-campus child care
• Percival Creek which runs beneath our campus footbridge, provides year-round beauty and views of Chinook, Coho, and chum salmon pass through each fall
• Many walking paths that are marked and on nicely paved sidewalks
• SPSCC promotes wellness with a variety of different workshops and events on campus
• Lots of activities with our Artist & Lecture series, which are FREE for staff and faculty
• Many community events in theKenneth J. Minnaert Center for the Arts
• Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)that offer an opportunity for SPSCC employees to gather and connect around issues that define them personally, and which affect their work at the College and their professional development. Current Employee Resource Groups include:
  • Staff and Faculty of Color (SFOC) ERG - an employee network which strives to create an intentional and relational foundation for community and trust building across different groups through shared values.
  • The LGBTQIA+ ERG creates a space for LGBTQIA+ staff and faculty at the college to share resources, build support and community, and work towards greater equity and accessibility. 

Position Duties

Experiential Learning Experiences (Internships & Academic Credit for Prior Learning):

• Establish and nurture relationships and key contacts with local businesses by collaborating with professional technical faculty, program advisory committees, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Economic Development Council, as well as Human Resources staff and hiring managers in developing goals and objectives for experiential learning opportunities.
• Conduct research and analyze local employer data to identify and establish trends and demands in the labor market and experiential learning opportunities for our students.
• Collaborate with employers and faculty to create and customize internship programs that meet their needs while providing valuable learning experiences for students. Includes negotiating internship agreements with employers, outlining expectations, responsibilities, and benefits for both the host, the student intern, and the college.
• Coordinate with faculty throughout the college to keep a list of internship needs & requirements, potential students, & serve as a liaison between faculty & regional employers to promote experiential learning.
• Attend local, community, and national events, activities, and industry conferences to network and identify potential experiential learning opportunities. Additionally, will utilize social media to market and identify opportunities for students.
• Develop marketing materials and promotional campaigns to raise awareness of experiential learning opportunities among target audiences, including students, recent graduates, and career counselors.
• Will work with instructional partners to promote internship openings and engage with and identify potential student interns.
• Work closely with employers to define internship requirements, qualifications, and selection criteria. Additionally, will assist in the recruitment and selection process by posting internship openings, reviewing applications, and coordinating interviews with employers and students.
• Prepare students for internship experiences by offering information and training on topics such as resume preparation, interviewing, and site placement. Will also collaborate with employers by developing onboarding materials, training plans, and resources for interns. Lastly, will provide guidance and support to interns and employers throughout the onboarding process, addressing any questions or concerns that arise.
• Assist students with identifying and requesting credit for prior learning experiences and achievements.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for interns placed at local employers, providing guidance, mentorship, and resources to address any issues or challenges that may arise during the internship experience. Work collaboratively with interns and employers to find solutions to support their professional growth
• Maintain accurate records of internship placements, including employer partnerships, agreements, and outcomes, to support the preparation of reports and presentations that summarize activities, achievements, and areas for improvement.
• Stay informed about industry trends, regulatory requirements, and best practices related to internships and experiential learning, enabling continuous assessment and adaptation of internship programs to meet the evolving needs of employers, interns, and the organization.

Career Services:

• Oversees the development and delivery of career placement services to include training and workshops, experiential learning activities, employer outreach, classroom presentations, and job search workshops, i.e., resume preparation, interviewing techniques, job search assistance, and developing workplace skills.
• Conduct on-site visits with employers and potential employers to promote the visibility and viability of our students and their skills, which results in increased job opportunities for students.
• Post positions and maintain an automated database that includes an employer/student skill matching system for student employment and internship opportunities.
• Coordinate and lead planning and implementation of annual events and activities such as the campus career fair, job fair, job and career preparation workshops, etc. Coordination encompasses budget planning and management, marketing, supplies and resources, staffing, and collaboration with on-campus student support providers, instructional divisions, and community stakeholders.
• Work collaboratively with campus Information Technology to manage and maintain student use of career-related software programs, including Career Coach, Handshake, Forage, and other software associated with career resources and support.

General:

• Meet with students to discuss topics, including the timeline, major readiness, and career readiness, such as major choice and preparation, developing soft skills, resume and cover letter preparation, and job search skills.
• Assist with leading the ACT Center front desk and coordination of the day-to-day management of transfer and career services to create a welcoming experience for students and customers. To include assisting with hiring, training, and evaluation of ACT employees, students, or Mentors.
• Assist in the design, branding, planning, procurement, and management of career-related materials and brochures. In addition to maintaining a web and social media presence.
• Collaborate and coordinate with instruction to offer classroom presentations and visits on topics related to career readiness. Additionally, will serve as a Student Services representative on the Guided Pathways work group, integrating career exploration resources into quarterly event and activity planning.
• Assists with the collection, assessment, analysis, and evaluation of career programs and services usage data and reporting to measure the impact of services and activities related to career services initiatives.
• Other duties as assigned, and may be required to work evenings and weekends.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field from an accredited college or university or equivalent education/experience.
• Experience in planning, organizing, and delivering academic support services 
• Experience in higher education or industry that reflect an understanding of work-based learning practices and principles
• Experience managing data to include collection, analysis, report preparation, and presentations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with advising/placement related to coordinating job or internship placement 
• Demonstrated leadership and supervisory experi­ence.

The Successful Candidate Must Demonstrate

• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with employers, community members, students, faculty and administration. 
• Strong skills in written, oral, and listening communications. 
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail. 
• Commitment to functioning as an effective team member. 
• Ability to work successfully with the varied and diverse students and staff of the college.
• A commitment to fostering an inclusive educational experience and environment for all students.

Other Qualifications

Applications must be completed online and include the following attachments:

1. Cover letter addressed to the Screening Committee, highlighting your ability to perform the responsibilities and competencies described in the job posting.
2. Current resume/CV showing all educational and professional experience which demonstrates how you meet the minimum and any preferred qualifications.
3. Copies of unofficial transcripts from institutions of higher education.