Coordinator of Career & Professional Development

Inside Higher Ed

Dalton (GA)

On-site

USD 50,000 - 70,000

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

An educational institution in Dalton, GA is looking for a Coordinator of Career & Professional Development to provide career advising, organize professional development programs, and facilitate employer engagement efforts. The ideal candidate should have a Bachelor's degree in a related field and at least 2 years of experience in career services. This full-time position focuses on enhancing career readiness initiatives for students and alumni.

Qualifications

Minimum of 2 years of experience in career counseling or related field.
Strong understanding of career development theories.
Ability to supervise student staff and lead initiatives.

Responsibilities

Provide individual and group career advising.
Develop and manage campus employment programs.
Plan and coordinate career-related events.

Skills

Career advising

Customer service

Data analysis

Communication

Event planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Master's degree in related field

Tools

Handshake

Focus2 Career

Job description

Coordinator of Career & Professional Development

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Job Title: Coordinator of Career & Professional Development
Location: Dalton State College
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
Job ID: 287965

About Us Dalton State College delivers a transformational education experience in a community serving more than 5,000 students through its two campuses and online programs. A member of the University System of Georgia, we provide access to high-quality bachelor\'s degrees, associate degrees, and career and teaching certificate programs that are responsive to regional and state needs. Located about 90 minutes from Atlanta and 30 minutes from Chattanooga, Dalton State is nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in northwest Georgia and is surrounded by abundant outdoor recreation opportunities. We attract students from 35 countries and 26 states. Approximately half of our students are first-generation college students. Dalton State is Georgia\'s first federally-designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI); through this designation, we administer a Title V and a Title III HSI STEM Grant program that benefit all students. Our mission and values undergird our commitment to creating a sense of belonging for all students and to ensuring their success. Dalton State was ranked #1 in the nation for Student Experience in The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse 2024 Best Colleges in the U.S. rankings and the #2 most recommended institution in the country in 2025. In addition, we are proud to have been recognized in 2024 as one of 75 "Great Colleges to Work For" by ModernThink, along with an Honor Roll distinction.

Job Summary The Coordinator of Career & Professional Development supports the strategic initiatives of the Career and Professional Development Center by providing career advising, coordinating professional development programs, and facilitating employer engagement efforts. This role involves delivering individualized and group career coaching, organizing career-related events and workshops, and maintaining career resources such as Handshake and the Career Closet. The coordinator collaborates with faculty, staff, and external partners to enhance career readiness initiatives and create meaningful career opportunities for students and alumni. Reporting to the Director of Career & Professional Development, this position plays a key role in preparing students for career success and ensuring the effective delivery of career services.

Required Qualifications Educational Requirements: Bachelor\'s degree in a related field (e.g., Career Counseling, Education, Human Resources) required or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Qualifications Additional Preferred Qualifications: Master\'s degree in related field (e.g., Education, Human Resources, Higher Education Leadership); Minimum of 2 years of experience in career counseling, career services, or a related field; Strong understanding of career development theories and practices, including experience with career assessment tools (e.g., Focus2 Career); Proficiency in career management platforms (e.g., Handshake) and other relevant technologies.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities Abilities: Ability to work independently with decision-making and problem-solving skills; ability to collect, analyze, and report data for grant reporting and institutional annual reports; ability to build and maintain strategic partnerships with employers, campus community groups, and other stakeholders; ability to supervise student staff and lead initiatives that promote a supportive campus environment; ability to deliver outstanding customer service; ability to collaborate effectively with students, faculty, staff, and employers. Knowledge: Knowledge of the structure and operations of higher education institutions, including student affairs and career development; knowledge of leading workshops, training sessions, and discussions; knowledge of event planning processes and risk assessment measures; knowledge of basic marketing. Skills: Strong written and oral communication; ability to provide guidance, resources, and support to students; ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously; proficiency with computers and job-related software; interpersonal relations and customer service; ability to organize and prioritize tasks.

Responsibilities (percentages are illustrative):
Advising & Counseling (35%): Provide individual and group career advising, use assessment tools to aid career path identification, guidance on professional networking and portfolio development, support undecided students, refer to resources. Internships & Campus Employment (25%): Develop and manage campus employment programs, assist students with internships and on-campus employment, collaborate with departments and partners to align opportunities with goals, train work-study students and employers, track participation and outcomes, assess program effectiveness, integrate internships with academic programs. Career Programs & Events (20%): Plan and coordinate events, develop educational materials, coordinate campus recruitment visits, manage event logistics and promotion, update online content and assess completion. Program Management (15%): Maintain employer database and Handshake postings, coordinate internship/co-op programs, ensure compliance with regulations, monitor and evaluate services and report findings. Administrative & Miscellaneous (5%): Supervise student employees, manage career resource inventory, stay current with professional development, perform additional duties as assigned.

Additional Information Responsibilities continued: The role requires ensuring compliance with federal, state, and institutional employment regulations; maintaining a student-friendly environment; and contributing to the office\'s ongoing improvement through data-informed decisions. There is a requirement that finalists deliver a presentation on a relevant topic during the interview process.

Equity & Employment Details This institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We prohibit discrimination on the basis of protected status and aim to hire based on merit and the ability to perform the essential functions of the job. For questions about our policy, contact Dalton State College\'s Office of Human Resources at 706-272-2034. Reasonable accommodations are available upon request.

Other Information As part of the interview process, finalist candidates will be required to deliver a presentation on a relevant topic.

Seniority level