Career Exploration and Employer Engagement Specialist - MnSCU Academic Professional 3

Working Title:

Career Exploration and Employer Engagement Specialist - MnSCU Academic Professional 3

Institution:

Riverland Community College

Classification Title:

MnSCU Academic Professional 3

Bargaining Unit / Union:

214: Minnesota Association of Professional Employees

City:

Austin

FLSA:

Job Exempt

Full Time / Part Time:

Full time

Employment Condition:

Unclassified - Limited Academic (Fixed Term)

Salary Range:

$28.26 - $41.43 / $59,007 - $86,506

Job Description

The Career Exploration & Employer Engagement Coordinator provides professional-level coordination and implementation of career exploration, employer engagement, and support for work-based learning for students. This position serves as a primary point of coordination between students, academic departments, employers, and community partners, ensuring consistent, mission-aligned career exploration experiences that support student success and workforce readiness. This college-wide position operates with limited supervision to develop, direct, and assess all career exploration programming and services that support the mission and educational programs at the college.

The role operates with professional judgment and independence within established institutional priorities, policies, and frameworks.

This assignment is grant-funded and for a one-year duration. The position is based in Austin, MN, with occasional travel to the Albert Lea and Owatonna campuses.

Minimum Qualifications

• Three (3) years professional experience in student services, career development, employer engagement, workforce development or related field OR bachelor's degree plus two (2) years of related work experience OR an equivalent combination of education and experience. An associate degree could substitute for 6 months of experience, a bachelor's degree is 12 months, and a master's degree is 18 months withing any of the following disciplines: Social Sciences, Psychology, Human Services, Business, Organizational Management or related field.
• Experience utilizing data and findings to inform and modify the current and/or future strategic goals and strategies.
• The ability to communicate orally is essential for all planning sessions, for making speeches and presentations, and for conducting telephone discussions. Excellent organizational and communication skills (written, oral, and electronic).
• Effective and proven knowledge, skills, and abilities in administrative supervision and leadership.
• The ability to build and maintain positive relationships between college personnel and external stakeholders. Experience in creating strategic partnerships.
• Experience in developing and managing budgets.

Preferred Qualification

• Experience coordinating employer partnerships or work-based learning activities.
• Experience supporting or administering student engagement or career exploration platforms.
• Experience working collaboratively across academic and student affairs units.
• Strong organizational, communication, and relationship-management skills.
• Bilingual / multilingual fluent in Spanish, Karen, Karenni, Somali, Pohnpeian, French, Nuer, Anuak, or other languages that reflect our student body, workforce, and communities.
• Multilingual or multicultural background or experience working with underserved populations.

Other Requirements

This position requires completing employment references and a driver's license background check.

In accordance with the Minnesota State Colleges & Universities (Minnesota State) Vehicle Fleet Safety Program, employees driving on college/university business who use a rental or state vehicle shall be required to conform to Minnesota State's Vehicle use criteria and consent to Motor Vehicle Records check.

Minnesota State is unable to sponsor Applicants for work visas. All Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the US.

If you would like to request an accommodation as part of the application process, please contact Aimee Sue Larson at aimee.larson@riverland.edu

A complete online application will include a letter of interest and a resume/curriculum vitae. Please note that the search committee will not review incomplete applications.

Work Shift (Hours / Days of work)

8:00 am - 4:30 pm / Monday - Friday

Telework (Yes/No)

No

Desired Start Date:

05-07-2026

Position End Date:

06-30-2027

Open Date:

04-27-2026

Close Date:

05-07-2026

Posting Contact Name:

Mary Ellen Greeley Abdo

Posting Contact Email:

Mary.Abdo@riverland.edu