09 Aug
|
Thompson Rivers University
|
Kamloops
09 Aug
Thompson Rivers University
Kamloops
Description
Position Information: Co-op Coordinator The Coordinator will support students in their co-operative education program from intake to graduation. The Coordinator will work with undergraduate Co-op and non-students to offer individual career coaching and advising; teach pre-employment career courses / seminars / workshop; employer liaison activities and develop employment opportunities with organizations, corporations and agencies; and be involved in the planning and organizing of career-related events for students.
The main focus of the position with be working with students through individual career coaching sessions and scheduled individual student appointments. A thorough understanding of career theory will allow the successful candidate to work with students to develop career action plans, disseminate labour market information, identify core career competencies, complete a career portfolio, revise resume and cover letters, implement interview strategies, and assist students to make meaning of their education during the transition from school to work.
Co-op Coordinator – Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Teaching & Curriculum Development
- Instruct the prerequisite Co-op 1000: Career Management course and up to four work-term courses per semester throughout the year.
- Design, deliver, and evaluate innovative, experiential, and career-focused curriculum aligned with CEWIL Quality Standards and TRU academic requirements.
- Develop, assess, and provide feedback on assignments, reflective learning components, and capstone projects.
- Utilize Moodle and other learning technologies to deliver course materials, track student progress, and facilitate communication.
- Continuously enhance curriculum based on student feedback, employer input, and evolving labour market trends.
2. Student Advising & Support
- Provide individualized career advising to students, including résumé development, interview preparation, and workplace readiness.
- Support students in understanding and meeting co-op eligibility, registration, and academic requirements.
- Conduct mid-term site visits (in-person or virtual) and evaluations to monitor learning outcomes and workplace satisfaction.
- Apply conflict resolution strategies and professional judgment to support both students and employers when challenges arise during work terms.
- Foster student reflection and integration of academic learning with professional experience.
3. Employer Engagement & Partnership Development
- Build and maintain relationships with employers across private, public, and non-profit sectors to develop quality paid co-op work opportunities.
- Engage with small, medium, and large industries, government, and crown corporations to expand partnerships aligned with TRU program areas.
- Promote the co-op program through employer information sessions, community engagement, and recruitment events.
- Collaborate with employers to develop job descriptions that align with academic learning outcomes and student competencies.
- Represent TRU and the Faculty of Career & Experiential Learning at career fairs, conferences, and professional networks (e.g., ACE-WIL,CEWIL, CACEE).
4. Program Administration & Reporting
- Maintain accurate and confidential student and employer records in the CRM system (Symplicity).
- Prepare reports and data summaries for program evaluation, accreditation, and institutional reporting.
- Contribute to program marketing, outreach, and communications materials in collaboration with the Career & Experiential Learning team.
- Support quality assurance processes, including employer evaluations and student reflective assessments.
- Participate in departmental meetings, strategic initiatives, and continuous improvement of WIL programming.
5. Equity, Inclusion & Continuous Improvement
- Promote equitable access to co-op opportunities for all students, including those from underrepresented and equity-deserving groups.
- Contribute to initiatives that advance TRU’s commitments to inclusion, decolonization, and community engagement.
- Stay current with best practices in work-integrated learning, labour market trends, and experiential pedagogy.
Core Competencies for Success in this Role:
Accountability
- Attend and actively participate in departmental meetings and events on a regular basis. Organize and prioritize schedules to ensure attendance at key departmental activities. Provide consistent support to team members and students, ensuring follow-through on tasks and appointments.
- Maintain accessibility to attend meetings and support team initiatives.
Communication:
- Demonstrate effective communication skills through professional emails, reports, and meetings.
- Exhibit consistent and professional verbal and non-verbal communication in all interactions with team members and students.
- Interpret and respond to incoming messages promptly and accurately.
- Provide feedback to students in alignment with widely accepted career education theories and practices.
Commitment:
- Show long-term commitment to departmental initiatives and engagement throughout the year.
- Take initiative to support student success and consistently go above and beyond in meeting department and student needs.
- Engage actively in department projects, demonstrating dedication to team goals and objectives.
Adaptability:
- Adjust to changing departmental priorities and schedules as necessary.
- Stay informed of labour market trends and adjust employment development strategies accordingly.
- Modify student-centred approaches to accommodate individual needs and changing situations.
Flexibility:
- Represent the department at university events to promote programs,
including attending evening and weekend functions when required.
- Participate in professional development opportunities and faculty council meetings. Actively contribute to committees and department projects.
Teamwork:
- Collaborate openly with colleagues, contributing equally to team efforts and providing support when necessary.
- Approach teamwork with a positive mindset, recognizing the value of diverse perspectives and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Efficiency:
- Manage time effectively and seek opportunities to improve departmental processes.
- Prioritize tasks to ensure efficient completion of projects and daily responsibilities.
Ethics:
- Maintain high ethical standards in decision-making, ensuring transparency, integrity, and fairness in interactions with students and stakeholders.
- Lead by example and uphold the values of the department, fostering a respectful and inclusive work setting.
Leadership:
- Take initiative in leading projects and demonstrate confidence in leadership roles. Show self-awareness and a commitment to personal and professional development. Provide clear communication of expectations to teammates and students.
- Be open to feedback and continuously strive for improvement.
Teaching:
- Incorporate new information and strategies into curriculum development.
- Support new faculty members by offering guidance and assistance with departmental teaching workloads.
- Collaborate with colleagues to develop innovative teaching practices
Requirements
- Minimum of a Master’s degree relevant to Career Education, Co-operative Education, Experiential Learning, and/or Work Integrated Learning disciplines
- Minimum of 5 years of program management experience in Co-operative Education
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in career advising, employment preparation, and supporting students through the career planning and career decision-making process
- Must have solid co-op work placement and monitoring experience
- Demonstrated instructional skills and experience in a post-secondary setting
- Must have a strong attachment to business and industry, with excellent knowledge of regional, provincial, national and international labour markets/trends
- Must have solid marketing and presentation skills to communicate with various stakeholder groups
- Excellent knowledge of the recruitment and talent acquisition process
- Superior time management, written and oral communication skills
- Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to interact with diverse populations, including students, employers, faculty, deans, administrators and alumni
- Must have a demonstrated ability to work both independently and as part of a team that works in a centralized work environment
- Must have a proven track record in meeting deadlines and follow through on tasks
- Must have a high degree of professionalism and be able to work effectively in a team
- Proficiency in MS Office software, database programs, Banner and Learning
- Management Systems like Moodle is an asset
- Valid Driver's License
📌 Cooperative Education Coordinator - (02016.108) (Kamloops)
🏢 Thompson Rivers University
📍 Kamloops