Academic Internship Program Specialist

Vcu Rrtc; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Commonwealth University’s Academic Internships Office seeks a (Senior) Academic Internship Program Specialist to lead advanced coordination of student-facing internship processes and to support undergraduate students in securing credit-bearing opportunities.

You will provide direct advising, guide students through pathways, connect them with opportunities, and collaborate with Career Services, academic units, employers, and staff to improve access and success in internships.

Qualifications

• Strong advising, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong organizational and multitasking abilities.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with students, faculty, and campus partners.
• Proven ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

• Advise students on internship pathways, eligibility, and deadlines.
• Coordinate connections between students, employers, and academic units.
• Track placements, course enrollments, and internship outcomes.
• Develop and implement advising practices and student support processes.
• Represent the office at campus events and outreach sessions.

Skills

Advising

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Organization

Time management

Deadline orientation

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Job description

Notice: This position has been reposted to refresh the listing. If you have already submitted your application, there is no need to reapply. Your original application is still active and under review.

Unit: Office of the Provost

Department: Academic Internships Office, Academic Affairs

Duties & Responsibilities:

The Virginia Commonwealth University Academic Internships Office has an exciting opportunity for a/n (Senior) Academic Internship Program Specialist. This position reports to the Director of the Academic Internships Office and is responsible for providing advanced coordination and leadership for student-facing academic internship processes that support undergraduate students in navigating, securing, and completing high-quality, credit-bearing internships.

This position provides direct student advising and coordination throughout the academic internship process, helping students understand internship pathways, connect with opportunities, complete required steps for placement, and successfully enroll in academic internship courses. The Academic Internship Program Specialist also supports outreach efforts that increase student awareness of academic internships and serves as a representative of the office at student-facing campus events. There may be other duties as needed in support of the Academic Internships Office.

Note: This position has the opportunity to be hired as a senior level role for candidates who demonstrate advanced knowledge, skills, and abilities, along with a strong sense of autonomy.

Senior Administrators* are responsible for long-range strategic planning and the application of comprehensive knowledge of the service or functional area. They advance the service or functional area's strategic goals beyond the internal scope of the department through innovative new programs, services, or practices. Senior Administrators assume a higher level of responsibility and authority in compliance and legal matters.

*If hired at the senior level designation, this position also takes the lead in developing and managing student-facing communication strategies, advising processes, and implementation efforts that support students throughout the internship journey, from exploration and preparation through placement, enrollment, and completion. The Senior Academic Internship Advisor also serves as a liaison with VCU Career Services as appropriate and works collaboratively with academic units, employers, and internal staff to strengthen access, consistency, and student success within academic internships. There may be other duties as needed in support of the Academic Internships Office.

Typical Responsibilities

Student Advising, Communication & Engagement

• Advise students on pathways toward academic internships, including eligibility, timelines, academic expectations, and internship processes.
• Support students in communicating with their academic advisors to understand how internships connect to degree requirements and academic planning.
• Assist students in navigating internship preparation, documentation, and required approvals.

Placement Coordination

• Coordinate student connections with internship opportunities by supporting matching processes between students, employers, and academic units.
• Assist students in identifying internship opportunities aligned with their interests, goals, and academic requirements.
• Communicate with students throughout the placement process to ensure timely progress and completion of required steps

Enrollment & Tracking

• Track student internship placements and course enrollment processes.
• Maintain accurate records related to student advising, placements, approvals, and internship completion.
• Support documentation processes required for internship participation and academic credit.

Student Outreach & Engagement

• Recruit students for academic internship participation through outreach efforts, presentations, and informational sessions.
• Serve as an office representative at student campus events, fairs, and outreach opportunities.
• Assist in developing student-facing communication and informational materials related to academic internships.

Office & Program Support

• Collaborate with office staff, academic units, and campus partners to support student access to internship opportunities.
• Assist with implementation of advising practices and student support processes.
• Contribute to ongoing office operations and special projects as needed.

Other Duties

Performs other relevant duties as assigned.

A senior level position will include the following, additional responsibilities and will be compensated at the higher end of the salary range.

Advising Process Development & Implementation

• Develop, implement, and assess advising processes that support student access, placement, and completion of academic internships.
• Create and refine implementation strategies that improve consistency and efficiency across advising workflows.
• Assist in developing systems and practices that support the A–Z student internship journey.
• Monitor advising trends and recommend improvements that strengthen student support and access.

Career Services & Academic Partnerships

• Serve as a liaison with VCU Career Services to align internship advising, student preparation, and career-readiness resources.
• Maintain regular communication with academic units regarding internship processes, student needs, and placement coordination.
• Support collaboration with employers and internal partners to ensure internship opportunities align with academic expectations.

Program Coordination & Documentation

• Assist with tracking student participation, placement progress, and internship completion outcomes.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation related to student advising and internship processes.
• Supports implementation of communication systems, templates, and advising resources.

Leadership & Office Support

• Provide leadership and guidance in advising practices and process improvement.
• Supports training and onboarding of staff as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Strong advising, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Strong organizational and multitasking skills
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with students, faculty, and campus partners
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Strong time management skills and ability to meet deadlines
• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in higher education, social work, counseling, student affairs, education, or related field
• Experience advising students in higher education
• Experience with experiential learning, internships, advising, or career development
• Familiarity with academic processes and student support systems
• Experience collaborating across university units

The Office of the Provost is committed to the growth and professional development of the Academic Affairs team and will provide opportunities to foster a culture of learning and career development

Salary Range: Up to $80,000 annually, commensurate with experience

Benefits: All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.

FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt
Hours per Week: 40

Restricted Position: No

ORP Eligible: Yes

Flexible Work Arrangement: Requires recurring on-site presence; however, per supervisor’s discretion, this position may be afforded remote work opportunities

University Job Title: Administrator/Senior Administrator AA 1-3