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Work-Based Learning Specialist (Student Career Program Specialist)

POSITION DETAILS

Founded in 1971 in Long Island City, Queens **,** LaGuardia Community College is one of seven community colleges of the City University of New York (CUNY). LaGuardia offers more than sixty associate degree programs and more than fifty workforce training, ESOL, GED, and pre-college programs. In 2023, LaGuardia served approximately 24,000 students. More than one-third of LaGuardia’s degree-seeking students are born outside the United States; they come from 136 countries and speak 43 heritage languages. Sixty percent are first-generation college students.

Virtually all LaGuardia students are ethnic minorities (89 percent), 58 percent are women, 27 percent are over the age of 25. Forty-six percent of associate degree students are Hispanic. Upon graduation most students transfer to four-year colleges, typically in CUNY, to complete their baccalaureate degrees. Graduates of career programs such as Nursing, Computer Technology, and Veterinary Technology enter the workforce. LaGuardia ranked fifth among U.S. community colleges in economic mobility – moving low-income students into the middle class and beyond – in studies by Stanford University (2017) and the Brookings Institution (2020).Please visit www.laguardia.edu to learn more.

LaGuardia Community College seeks a dynamic and student-centered leader to serve as the **Work-Based** **Learning Specialist.** This role leads the coordination, implementation, and continuous improvement of the College’s experiential learning programs—including internships (SOAR, Elmezzi Career Fellows Program, and other sub-programs), career exploration activities, and other work-based learning opportunities. Reporting to the Director of the Center for Career & Professional Development, the Work-Based Learning Specialist collaborates closely with the Assistant Director of Career Services to align student learning with workforce needs and cultivate high-impact employer partnerships.

The SOAR Experiential Learning Program is a high-impact initiative designed to expand equitable access to paid internships, career exploration, and professional skill-building opportunities for students. SOAR connects students with real-world experiences that complement their academic learning, foster career readiness, and promote upward mobility.

The ideal candidate will bring a strong commitment to equity and student success, along with experience managing programs, supporting career readiness, and working with faculty, employers, and campus stakeholders. Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

+ Leadthe SOAR Experiential Learning Program, including strategy, program development, implementation, student support, and evaluation;

+ Coordinate a variety of experiential learning activities, including paid, academic credit and non-credit internships, job shadowing, micro-internships, service learning, and career immersion events;

+ Assist with the design and deliver career exploration programming, helping students understand career pathways aligned with their academic majors and professional goals;

+ Collaborate with the Assistant Director of Career Servicesto identify, expand, and maintain partnerships with employers offering experiential learning opportunities for students in diverse fields, emphasizing the majors offered at the college;

+ Partner with faculty across academic departments to support the integration of internships and experiential learning into academic programs;

+ Manage program staff, peer leaders, and interns involved in experiential learning programs and student engagement;

+ Provide direct support to students through workshops, advising, and career readiness preparation for experiential learning and workplace success;

+ Create outreach and marketing materials to promote internships and SOAR programming to students, faculty, and employers;

+ Coordinate with other departments (e.g., LaGuardia Community College Foundation, Elmezzi Foundation, Academic Affairs, and Enrollment Services) to ensure smooth implementation of stipend programs, academic credit, and data tracking;

+ Collect, analyze, and report program dataand outcomes; support grant reporting and proposals; prepare regular reports for internal stakeholders and funders;

+ Maintain knowledge of labor market trends and emerging career fields to inform employer outreach and program development;

+ Represent LaGuardia and the SOAR Program in CUNY-wide initiatives, employer meetings, and professional conferences;

+ Fluency in a second language preferred; Spanish, Mandarin, Bengali or other languages spoken by our student population are especially valuable.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's Degree and four years related experience required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

+ At least four (4) years of relevant experience in career development, workforce development, higher education, or a related field.

+ Master's degree in education, student affairs, public administration, or a related discipline preferred.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following hard skills and technical competencies:

+ **Program Management:** Experience designing, launching, and managing internship and experiential learning programs.

+ **Data and Reporting:** Proficiency with tools like Excel, Symplicity, Handshake, or CRM systems to track student outcomes and generate reports for institutional and grant purposes.

+ **Career Services Technology:** Familiarity with platforms such as Handshake, Symplicity, Interstride, Vault, Focus2, and Career Coach.

+ **Employer Relations:** Ability to engage employers and coordinate partnerships, site visits, job fairs, and internship pipelines.

+ **Student Advisement:** Skilled in delivering job readiness services, including resume and cover letter review, mock interviews, and career exploration workshops.

+ **Marketing and Outreach:** Proficiency in developing outreach materials using tools like Canva, Constant Contact, or Mailchimp.

+ **Faculty Collaboration:** Experience working with faculty to integrate internships and experiential learning into academic programs.

+ **Project Coordination:** Comfortable using project management tools such as Microsoft Teams to manage timelines and communications.

+ **Assessment and Evaluation:** Experience designing surveys, collecting feedback, and analyzing outcomes to inform program improvement.

+ **Budget or Grant Support:** Familiarity with managing internship stipends or supporting grant-related tracking and compliance is a plus.

+ Strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability to work collaboratively with faculty, students, employers, and administrators.

+ Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and use data to inform decisions and report outcomes.

CUNY TITLE OVERVIEW

Administers career development programs and services in a College or Unit.

- Assists in developing and implementing career planning programs and services.

- Takes a lead role in a portfolio of ongoing programs, such as orientation or workshop programs

- May supervise a unit or program, hiring, training, and managing staff

- Consults with faculty, staff, administrators, and employers regarding students career development needs

- Assists in collection, tabulation and analysis of outcomes data for students and other stakeholders, as well as research of employment and market trends

- Assists in policy development and strategic planning/special projects.

- Serves as a liaison to student groups, clubs, and athletic organizations.

- Represents career office on college committees, conferences, and to the College community at large

- Conducts outreach programming, orienting employers and other constituents to services

- Performs related duties as assigned.

Job Title Name: Student Career Program Specialist

CUNY TITLE

Higher Education Assistant

FLSA

Exempt

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Salary: $74,490 - $94,909

Salary commensurate with education and experience.

CUNY's benefits contribute significantly to total compensation, supporting health and wellness, financial well-being, and professional development. We offer a range of health plans, competitive retirement/pension benefits and savings plans, tuition waivers for CUNY graduate study and generous paid time off. Our staff also benefits from the extensive academic, arts, and athletic programs on our campuses and the opportunity to participate in a lively, diverse academic community in one of the greatest cities in the world.

HOW TO APPLY

Visit www.cuny.edu, access the employment page, log in or create a new user account, and search for this vacancy using the Job ID or Title. Select "Apply Now" and provide the requested information.

Candidates should provide a resume and cover letter.

CLOSING DATE

November 16th, 2025

JOB SEARCH CATEGORY

CUNY Job Posting: Managerial/Professional

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

CUNY encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply. At CUNY, Italian Americans are also included among our protected groups. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against on the basis of any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity. EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer.

Job ID

30482

Location

LaGuardia Community College