Internship & Outreach Coordinator

Department of Recreation, Sport & Tourism

College of Applied Health Sciences

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Job Summary

The RST Internship and Outreach Coordinator manages all aspects of the RST Undergraduate Internship Program, working in close partnership with the RST Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS), and the RST Department Head.

Duties & Responsibilities

Teaching & Advising

• Teach RST 480: Orientation to Internship and RST 485: Internship in both Fall/Spring semesters. Teach RST 485: Internship in Summer semesters.
• Hold individual appointments with RST students throughout their undergraduate careers to assist them in understanding the structure and requirements of the RST internship program, and to provide support and resources on internship matters.
• Review and approve internship plans for RST students.
• Coordinate RST student site visits and internships by liaising with industry partners.
• Serve as primary, expert resource for RST students, faculty, and staff regarding interpretation and application of University, college, and RST department internship policies and procedures as appropriate.
• Regularly serve on committees and attend training sessions/workshops to stay up to date on internships, resources for students, and policy/system updates.

Internship Program Management

• Manage RST 280, RST 480, and RST 485 enrollment and permission number authorization.
• Manage internship processes, including reviewing job description submissions, collecting site information, and confirming eligibility.
• Coordinate with RST students, internship sites, and campus to submit internship contracts, ensuring compliance with university policies and procedures.
• Responsible for thorough record-keeping of all student and supervisor contacts and activity logged hours for RST 485.
• Maintain RST Internship & Job Opportunities Canvas page.

Organizational Development

• Provide support to RST Undergraduate Committee and Department Head for evaluation of undergraduate curriculum and implementation of proposed changes and impact on internship program.
• Collect feedback for internship program/process improvements; continuously evaluate implemented changes to gauge efficacy.
• Innovate methods for tracking and analysis of student internship program to identify trends and inform future programmatic decisions.
• Develop and organize resources to enhance the development of innovative internship programs with potential for high impact.
• Evaluate student and site supervisor satisfaction and internship outcomes for continual improvement.

Outreach

• Meet with prospective students to highlight internship program features and answer questions.
• Plan and manage logistics-including student transportation-to facilitate RST student attendance at career fairs hosted in Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis.
• Establish positive relationships and partnerships with industry, stakeholder, and community groups to facilitate student field experiences and internships for RST students.
• Create new opportunities for student development by collaborating with internship site supervisors, and community partners.
• Assist with special projects, events and outward-facing initiatives as assigned by the department head.
• Develop, evaluate, and continuously improve RST events.
• Assist with RST social media content including featuring RST students on their internships, and RST site visits and industry engagement.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Recreation, Sport and Tourism, or closely related field.
• Experience with developing and/or managing an internship program in the field(s) of recreation, sport, tourism, or a related field.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with internship policies, procedures, and systems at the University of Illinois.
• Experience working with equitable community-university partnerships, within an internship and engagement context.
• Experience with RST, the land-grant system, and University of Illinois policies and procedures.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the close of the search. The budgeted salary range for the position is $50,000 - $60,000 annually. We strive to provide a competitive salary, considering factors such as available market data, internal equity, candidate experience and qualifications, collective bargaining agreements, and budget constraints. The final salary offer will be determined through a thorough assessment of these elements.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on Tuesday September 23rd. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. In order to be considered as a transfer candidate, you must apply for this position. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. Application materials should include a cover letter, a current resume, and contact information for at least three professional references. If required by the position, transcripts or other documentation of credentials are to be provided no later than the first day of employment. For further information about this specific position, please contact Micki Hallam, HR Coordinator, at mhallam@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.