Cooperative Education Coordinator

Position Information: Co-op Coordinator

The Coordinator will support students in their co-operative education program from intake to graduation. The Coordinator will work with undergraduate Co-op and non-students to offer individual career coaching and advising; teach pre-employment career courses / seminars / workshop; employer liaison activities and develop employment opportunities with organizations, corporations and agencies; and be involved in the planning and organizing of career-related events for students.

The main focus of the position with be working with students through individual career coaching sessions and scheduled individual student appointments. A thorough understanding of career theory will allow the successful candidate to work with students to develop career action plans, disseminate labour market information, identify core career competencies, complete a career portfolio, revise resume and cover letters, implement interview strategies, and assist students to make meaning of their education during the transition from school to work.

1. Teaching & Curriculum Development

• Instruct the prerequisite Co-op 1000: Career Management course and up to four work-term courses per semester throughout the year.
• Design, deliver, and evaluate innovative, experiential, and career-focused curriculum aligned with CEWIL Quality Standards and TRU academic requirements.
• Develop, assess, and provide feedback on assignments, reflective learning components, and capstone projects.
• Utilize Moodle and other learning technologies to deliver course materials, track student progress, and facilitate communication.
• Continuously enhance curriculum based on student feedback, employer input, and evolving labour market trends.

2. Student Advising & Support

• Provide individualized career advising to students, including résumé development, interview preparation, and workplace readiness.
• Support students in understanding and meeting co-op eligibility, registration, and academic requirements.
• Conduct mid-term site visits (in-person or virtual) and evaluations to monitor learning outcomes and workplace satisfaction.
• Apply conflict resolution strategies and professional judgment to support both students and employers when challenges arise during work terms.
• Foster student reflection and integration of academic learning with professional experience.

3. Employer Engagement & Partnership Development

• Build and maintain relationships with employers across private, public, and non-profit sectors to develop quality paid co-op work opportunities.
• Engage with small, medium, and large industries, government, and crown corporations to expand partnerships aligned with TRU program areas.
• Promote the co-op program through employer information sessions, community engagement, and recruitment events.
• Collaborate with employers to develop job descriptions that align with academic learning outcomes and student competencies.
• Represent TRU and the Faculty of Career & Experiential Learning at career fairs, conferences, and professional networks (e.g., ACE-WIL, CEWIL, CACEE).

4. Program Administration & Reporting

• Maintain accurate and confidential student and employer records in the CRM system (Symplicity).
• Prepare reports and data summaries for program evaluation, accreditation, and institutional reporting.
• Contribute to program marketing, outreach, and communications materials in collaboration with the Career & Experiential Learning team.
• Support quality assurance processes, including employer evaluations and student reflective assessments.
• Participate in departmental meetings, strategic initiatives, and continuous improvement of WIL programming.

5. Equity, Inclusion & Continuous Improvement

• Promote equitable access to co-op opportunities for all students, including those from underrepresented and equity-deserving groups.
• Contribute to initiatives that advance TRU's commitments to inclusion, decolonization, and community engagement.
• Stay current with best practices in work-integrated learning, labour market trends, and experiential pedagogy.

Core Competencies for Success in this Role:

Accountability:

• Attend and actively participate in departmental meetings and events on a regular basis. Organize and prioritize schedules to ensure attendance at key departmental activities. Provide consistent support to team members and students, ensuring follow-through on tasks and appointments.
• Maintain accessibility to attend meetings and support team initiatives.

Communication:

• Demonstrate effective communication skills through professional emails, reports, and meetings.
• Exhibit consistent and professional verbal and non-verbal communication in all interactions with team members and students.
• Interpret and respond to incoming messages promptly and accurately.
• Provide feedback to students in alignment with widely accepted career education theories and practices.

Commitment:

• Show long-term commitment to departmental initiatives and engagement throughout the year.
• Take initiative to support student success and consistently go above and beyond in meeting department and student needs.
• Engage actively in department projects, demonstrating dedication to team goals and objectives.

Adaptability:

• Adjust to changing departmental priorities and schedules as necessary.
• Stay informed of labour market trends and adjust employment development strategies accordingly.
• Modify student-centred approaches to accommodate individual needs and changing situations.

Flexibility:

• Represent the department at university events to promote programs, including attending evening and weekend functions when required.
• Participate in professional development opportunities and faculty council meetings. Actively contribute to committees and department projects.

Teamwork:

• Collaborate openly with colleagues, contributing equally to team efforts and providing support when necessary.
• Approach teamwork with a positive mindset, recognizing the value of diverse perspectives and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Efficiency:

• Manage time effectively and seek opportunities to improve departmental processes.
• Prioritize tasks to ensure efficient completion of projects and daily responsibilities.

Ethics:

• Maintain high ethical standards in decision-making, ensuring transparency, integrity, and fairness in interactions with students and stakeholders.
• Lead by example and uphold the values of the department, fostering a respectful and inclusive work environment.

Leadership:

• Take initiative in leading projects and demonstrate confidence in leadership roles. Show self-awareness and a commitment to personal and professional development. Provide clear communication of expectations to teammates and students.
• Be open to feedback and continuously strive for improvement.

Teaching:

• Incorporate new information and strategies into curriculum development.
• Support new faculty members by offering guidance and assistance with departmental teaching workloads.
• Collaborate with colleagues to develop innovative teaching practices

QUALIFICATIONS

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of a Master's degree relevant to Career Education, Co-operative Education, Experiential Learning, and/or Work Integrated Learning disciplines
• Minimum of 5 years of program management experience in Co-operative Education
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in career advising, employment preparation, and supporting students through the career planning and career decision-making process
• Must have strong co-op work placement and monitoring experience
• Demonstrated instructional skills and experience in a post-secondary setting
• Must have a strong attachment to business and industry, with excellent knowledge of regional, provincial, national and international labour markets/trends
• Must have strong marketing and presentation skills to communicate with various stakeholder groups
• Excellent knowledge of the recruitment and talent acquisition process
• Superior time management, written and oral communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to interact with diverse populations, including students, employers, faculty, deans, administrators and alumni
• Must have a demonstrated ability to work both independently and as part of a team that works in a centralized work environment
• Must have a proven track record in meeting deadlines and follow through on tasks
• Must have a high degree of professionalism and be able to work effectively in a team
• Proficiency in MS Office software, database programs, Banner and Learning
• Management Systems like Moodle is an asset
• Valid Driver's License