Job Details
Job Location : Fort Wayne Campus - Fort Wayne, IN
Position Type : Full Time
Education Level : Master's
Job Category : Education
Indiana Tech is a thriving, independent, teaching-oriented university that delivers career-oriented programming in a wide variety of disciplines that includes business, engineering, computer sciences, criminal justice, cybersecurity, marketing, health sciences, communication and helping professions. Indiana Tech enrolls nearly 1,500 students in its traditional undergraduate programs on its picturesque main campus, and nearly 5,000 students in its adult and online program. We offer degrees at the associate, bachelor’s, master's, and doctoral levels and undergraduate and graduate certificates.
Over 41% of our students are either globally or domestically diverse; this contributes to our unique vibrant and inclusive campus community. All academic programs are designed to provide students with relevant and practical experiences, including an emphasis on internships. The university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Indiana Tech is committed to fostering a welcoming and respectful environment for all. We actively support the recruitment, engagement, and retention of students, faculty, and staff from a wide range of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives. We believe that creating a sense of connection and support across our campus community plays an essential role in preparing students to succeed and contribute in a global society.
Indiana Tech has big plans for its future. Learn more at Indiana Tech Strategic Plan or strategicplan.indianatech.edu .
General Summary
Indiana Tech is seeking for an Associate Director of Cooperative Education to join our Career Center Team. The Associate Director of Cooperative Education at Indiana Tech collaborates with various university departments and employers to build and promote the co-op program, manage operations, recruit and support students, analyze program effectiveness, and act as a liaison between students, faculty, and industry. Additional duties include assessing learning outcomes, developing guidelines, fostering program growth, identifying co-op sites, engaging employers, and aligning opportunities with academic curricula.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Student Recruitment & Support
- With assistance of the marketing team, develop materials that inform prospective students, faculty, and staff about co-op opportunities
- Partner with the admissions team to identify prospective students and participate in recruitment events to promote the co-op program
- Develop and coordinate process for student placement in co-op roles aligned with their majors, career goals, and skill levels by collaborating with employers, faculty, career coaches, and registrar
- Meet individually with students facing co-op challenges to resolve their issues and refer them to appropriate resources
- In consultation with faculty, oversee academic supervision and assessment process of co-op students. Create and distribute assessment instruments to employers for evaluating students’ professional skills, assemble evidence to demonstrate learning outcomes, and report assessment results to stakeholders.
- Support faculty’s academic supervision and assessment of technical skills during co-op work phases, create and distribute assessment instruments to employers for evaluating students’ professional skills, and report assessment results to stakeholders
Employer Recruitment and Relationships
Collaborate with staff working with external partners (especially employer relations and admissions) to identify and engage potential co-op employers aligned with academic programs, labor market needs, and student interestsMaintain positive relationships and regular communication with employers to quickly and effectively address co-op related issues, discuss opportunities, and share updatesProgram Development and Management
Oversee daily operations and administrative functions of the co-op program to include monitoring the budget and maintaining financial recordsPlan and develop co-op opportunities in alignment with the university's strategic goals while monitoring and reporting on program progress and outcomesCollaborate with faculty and employers to identify essential courses for students to excel in specific co-op roles, and select courses that can be substituted with co-op experiencesProactively develop effective co-op policies and procedures for students, employers, and facultyWork on concurrent projects that may require prioritization, resource allocation decisions, identification of risks, and recommendations for mitigationStrategize with the Career Center team to formulate methods for achieving greater success for employers and students using data on labor market trends, student participation rates, and placement patternsParticipate as a Career Center team member by performing all other duties and responsibilities as assigned to contribute to the overall success of the Career CenterQualifications
Required
Master’s degree in a related field such as education administration, education, business, student affairs, human resources, social work, or counselingMinimum of four years of experience working in higher education or human resourcesStrong communication (written and verbal), critical thinking, and problem-solving skills plus the ability to work collaboratively as a member of a team, as well as independentlyAbility to manage multiple projects, plan events, facilitate meetings, and work in a fast-paced environment with a broad range of internal and external constituentsAppreciation and respect for the diversity of strengths, experiences, and perspectives that a multicultural body of students, employers, faculty, and alumni provide to the community and workforceExperience working in an office setting and comfort with learning / using multiple information management platformsEssential skills or traits : self-motivation, attention to detail, flexibility, adaptability, organization skills, and willingness to try new thingsAbility to occasionally travel to other cities in the Midwest to meet with employersPreferred
Experience in employer relations and / or career developmentDirect experience with cooperative education, internships, or a similar form of experiential educationUnderstanding of university structure and experience navigating relations between staff, faculty, and employersExperience in marketing and / or public relationsExcellent presentation skillsExperience using Google Suite, Microsoft Office Suite (especially Teams and Outlook), Canva, HandshakeWorking Conditions
Work is normally performed in a typical interior office environment. Regular local travel to employers and events is required. Regional travel is occasionally needed.
Application materials must include a cover letter and resume. Applicants must be prepared to provide a written response to Tech's mission and vision. The position remains open until filled; a review of candidates will commence as application materials are received.