Employer Outreach and Internships Specialist

Position Summary

Located 45 minutes from the Nation's Capital, nestled in a history-rich community of southern Maryland, The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) is a two-time Aspen Award-winning institution (top 15% of Community Colleges) with academic programs in over 100 disciplines. CSM is among America's top 100 producers of Minority Associate Degrees in twenty categories, according to Diverse Issues in Higher Education. CSM offers excellent health insurance benefits; State Retirement Pension plan; wellness programs; Code Green early closure Fridays in the summer; college closure for spring break and several major holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year; and for several days in March for Spring Break. We are an innovative institution committed to student success and well known for our flexibility to meet student and community needs.

The Employer Outreach and Internships Specialist serves as a liaison between the College of Southern Maryland and regional employers. The individual in this role must be highly self-sufficient, motivated, focused, and ambitious to successfully develop significant client relationships. The consistent growth of a core client base to create paid internship and job opportunities for students is core to the mission of the Center for Career Development and Success. The results from establishing these relationships will enable the incumbent to become a strategic partner with key regional and industry partners in facilitating the creation of work-based learning opportunities, for CSM students. The individual in this position is pivotal to advancing the college with its goal of becoming the region's first choice provider for student talent in the regional workforce pipeline.

The Specialist supports the Career Development Specialist and the Center for Career Development and Success team by working directly with employers and students to prepare them to be job ready and competent employees in their field of study. This includes developing business resources and support, leveraging technology platforms, and developing relationships with the region's business community to create a pipeline of paid-internship and job opportunities for students. The Specialist is responsible for gathering feedback from employers and students, working successfully in a team environment, and participating in larger partnerships and initiatives across the college. This position works closely with faculty, alumni, management, external entities, staff, students, and academic and workforce development departments. The Specialist must be flexible with their schedule, as hours may include off-site locations, evenings, and/or occasionally, but infrequently, weekends.

The Employer Outreach and Internships Specialist is an outgoing, persuasive communicator who thrives on networking and enjoys creating mutually beneficial partnerships. This role requires strong interpersonal and communication skills, excellent self-motivation, time management and project tracking skills, works well in a team environment and can work independently, the ability to think strategically and creatively, and build a good understanding of the industry or business sector in which the college operates. The position has an office located on the La Plata Campus and is remote eligible, up to two days a week, the incumbent will participate in off campus activities such as networking and client meetings in St. Mary's, Charles, and Calvert counties.

The hiring salary for this position will be from the min to mid-point of the salary range advertised. This position is open until filled.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

70% Relationship Building and Management

• Identify and engage regional employers to develop internship programs aligned with academic programs and workforce credential earning programs.
• Negotiate and formalize internship agreements, ensuring compliance with college policies and labor regulations.
• Collaborate with faculty and staff to match students with appropriate opportunities.
• Use the Career Services Management software system for employer contacts, internship placements, communication, event management, and to track outcomes and satisfaction.
• Represent the college at networking events, industry meetings, and community forums that align with building internship and job opportunities for students.
• Provide guidance to employers on best practices for hosting interns and creating meaningful experiences.
• Develop, grow, and nurture relationships with key industry partners, businesses, and stakeholders
• Produce new business leads weekly and maintain a high lead-to client ratio
• Identify potential partners and opportunities for collaboration.
• Increase the number of students and employers participating in paid internships, apprenticeships, and work-based learning opportunities, annually.
• Responsible for the execution and management of work-based learning contracts with employers, providing paid work opportunities for students.
• Ensures quality work experiences for students by assisting employers in the development of opportunities that complement and enhance student's academic and professional goals.
• While making contracts throughout the community, the Industry Engagement Specialist helps recruit a prospective instructor pool for open enrollment and gauges business interest in contract training opportunities
• Works collaboratively with the Career Services Specialist to identify and develop student competencies that support the needs of industry and facilitate appropriate employment referrals
• Co-counsel, advise, and place students in career-related positions.
• Collaborate cross functionally with various departments, teams, and partners to align paid internship and job opportunities with student learning outcomes.
• Project management of CSM's regional hiring and networking event activities to include supporting and organizing degree and credential specific hiring and/or information events.

20% Reporting and Documentation

• Maintain accurate records of partnership agreements, activities, and communications.
• Document best practices and lessons from engagement initiatives
• Effective promotion, utilization and management of the college's career and employment matching platforms
• Monitor quality of placements and conduct site visits

5% Communication and Advocacy

• Support promotion of the Center for Career Development & Success resources and services
• Represent CSM to the external tri-county business community as a professional first choice provider of talent and innovative workforce solutions
• Increase employer utilization of CSM's career services platforms
• Communicate the organization's value proposition to external partners
• Designs and manages Center initiatives and projects (i.e., student celebrations, Annual Student Leadership Networking Summit, etc.)

5% Research and Analysis

• Keep up to date on career and workforce trends, industry requested transferable skills, and career readiness resources
• Analyze the performance and impact of partnership activities and provide insights and recommendations

Additional Duties:

• Performs other related duties as assigned

Minimum Education and Training

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, communications, hospitality, or related field OR 4 years of successful sales and customer management experience OR associate's degree and 2 years of successful sales and customer management experience.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Strong people engagement skills and an ability to network in person and with technology.
• Excellent verbal and written communication abilities.
• Proven ability to negotiate and manage contracts or agreements.
• Comfort with public speaking and presenting to groups.
• Ability to work independently and meet goals in a fast-paced environment.
• Energetic, outgoing personality with a passion for connecting with people.
• Drivers license and reliable transportation
• Strong customer service skills
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Professional demeanor
• Efficient use of Office 365, TEAMS, and Microsoft Products Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Experience with Symplicity, Handshake, or similar career management system.
• 6 +years of experience in business development and/or community outreach in a customer driven environment with a proven track record

Minimum Qualifications and Standards Required

• Proficient in job matching platforms, labor market research tools, and current labor market trends
• Skilled in using office productivity software and higher education technology platforms
• Able to document engagements, track inquiries, and follow through on next steps using approved systems
• Capable of utilizing data to inform decision-making, prioritize tasks, and design effective student support
• Maintains accurate records and ensures confidentiality
• Strong verbal, written, and professional communication skills in both formal and informal settings
• Builds positive, collaborative relationships with students, faculty, alumni, staff, employers, and community partners
• Resolves customer concerns in a way that exceeds expectations
• Promotes positive student work experiences through employer and student follow-up
• Demonstrates a strong work ethic, personal integrity, and commitment to positive outcomes for students and employers.
• Maintains professionalism and confidentiality at all times
• Highly organized, with the ability to prioritize tasks, manage time effectively, and meet deadlines
• Flexible and adaptable in fast-paced environments
• Works independently with minimal supervision and collaboratively as part of a team
• A valid driver's license and insurability under the college's vehicle liability insurance program are required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The work is mostly sedentary work which requires exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed in a relatively safe, and secure work environment.

General Employment Information

The College of Southern Maryland is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Background Checks

The College of Southern Maryland conducts background checks in order to ensure the safety and well-being of the College's staff and students. The final candidate for this position will be subject to the following background checks: Criminal History Check and Sex Offender Registry Check.

Conflict of Interest policy

No College of Southern Maryland employee shall engage in or have a financial interest, directly or indirectly, in any activity that conflicts or raises a reasonable question of conflict with his or her duties and responsibilities. CSM Employees shall not at any time engage in any outside employment or independent consulting that would adversely affect their employment status or performance as employees at the college, create a conflict of interest, or, with the exception of constitutionally protected activities, would compromise or embarrass the college, or adversely affect professional standing. Any full-time college employee who also holds a full-time position or its equivalent in consulting elsewhere (whether permanent or seasonal) will be deemed to have a conflict of interest and will be asked to resign from one of the full-time positions. Full-time employees must promptly disclose in writing, on a form available from the Human Resources Office, to the college all other full-time employment or its equivalent in independent consulting.

Employment Frequently Asked Questions

Click here to find our frequently asked questions:https://www.csmd.edu/employment/frequently-asked-questions/index.html