Work Based Learning Advisor

Commonwealth of VA Careers; Wise (VA); On-site; USD 46,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Mountain Empire Community College seeks a Work Based Learning (WBL) Advisor to cultivate and maintain strategic relationships with businesses, industries, non-profits, government agencies, and community partners to expand internship and work-based learning opportunities.

In this role, you will collaborate with industry partners to identify regional workforce needs and work alongside college personnel to establish customizable training programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Experience in higher education, workforce development, career services, student advising, employer relations, or related areas.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, faculty, staff, employers, and community partners.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Cultivate and maintain strategic relationships with businesses, industries, non-profits, government agencies, and community partners to expand internship and work-based learning opportunities.
• Collaborate with industry partners to identify regional workforce needs and establish customizable training programs.
• Actively recruit students, assist them in securing hands-on experiences aligned with their academic and career goals.
• Partner with the Division of Student Success to implement a centralized approach for promoting available positions.
• Manage MECC’s Work-Based Learning Tracking System (WTS) and ensure compliance with VCCS guidelines.
• Educate faculty and staff on WTS processes and resources; track participation, evaluations, and employment outcomes.
• Support grant reporting, program assessment, and continuous improvement initiatives; assist with employer engagement duties.

Skills

Written & verbal communication

MS Office

Student databases

LMS (Canvas/Blackboard)

Web content management

Data analysis

Interpersonal skills

Newsletter creation

Time management

Project coordination

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

CRM

Internship management systems

Data-tracking systems

Job description

Title: Work Based Learning Advisor

Agency: Mountain Empire Community College

Location: Wise - 195

FLSA: Exempt

Hiring Range: $45,739 - $50,000

Full Time or Part Time: Full Time

Additional Detail

Job Description:

Mountain Empire Community College is a comprehensive two-year college serving residents of Lee, Scott, Wise, and Dickenson counties, and the City of Norton. MECC is one of twenty-three colleges in the Virginia Community College System and operates under policies established by the State Board for Community Colleges and the Local Advisory Board. The College is financed primarily with state funds, supplemented by contributions from the local jurisdictions.

Mountain Empire Community College seeks a Work Based Learning (WBL) Advisor to cultivate and maintain strategic relationships with businesses, industries, non-profits, government agencies, and community partners to expand internship and work-based learning opportunities. In this role, you will collaborate with industry partners to identify regional workforce needs and work alongside college personnel to establish customizable training programs. Additionally, you will actively recruit students, assist them in securing hands‑on experiences aligned with their academic and career goals, and partner with the Division of Student Success to implement a centralized approach for promoting available positions.

The WBL Advisor serves as an institutional lead in managing MECC’s Work-Based Learning Tracking System (WTS), overseeing the end-to-end collection, maintenance, monitoring, and reporting of WBL data in compliance with VCCS guidelines. You will educate faculty and staff on WTS processes and resources, collaborate across academic programs, and track participation, student evaluations, and employment outcomes. Through rigorous data analysis, you will support grant reporting, program assessment, and continuous improvement initiatives, alongside taking on additional career development and employer engagement duties as assigned.

This position is designated as a restricted position in accordance with Department of Human Resource Management (DHRM) Policy 2.20. A restricted position is one that is funded, in whole or in part (minimum of 10%), by non-continuous or non-recurring funding sources such as grants, contracts, donations, auxiliary revenues, or other time-limited funding streams.

As a result, the continued availability of this position is dependent upon the continuation of the identified funding source(s). Should such funding be reduced, modified, or discontinued, the position and therefore employment in this role may be subject to change or elimination in accordance with applicable state and institutional policies.

Employees serving in restricted positions are generally afforded the same terms and conditions of employment as other classified employees; however, certain provisions such as layoff sequencing and eligibility for placement rights or severance benefits may differ based on the nature and continuity of funding.

By accepting or continuing in this position, the employee acknowledges and understands the restricted status of the role and the potential implications associated with its funding source. The current grant for this position is set to expire on 06/30/2027.

Minimum Qualifications:

Knowledge, skills, and abilities required to be successful in the position:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills to effectively engage students and coordinate with faculty, staff, and external stakeholders.
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office applications, student databases, learning management systems (e.g., Canvas or Blackboard), and web content management tools.
• Skill in analyzing data and applying results to design effective outreach, retention, and intervention strategies.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain positive relationships with students, colleagues, and community partners.
• Skill in developing and distributing professional communication materials such as newsletters, reports, and digital content.
• Time management and project coordination skills to manage multiple priorities, events, and grant deliverables simultaneously.
• Ability to develop, implement, and evaluate student engagement and retention programs tailored to the needs of CTE students.
• Ability to work collaboratively with academic and student services personnel to identify and support at‑risk students.
• Ability to assess program effectiveness and contribute to continuous improvement efforts through research and the application of best practices.
• Ability to represent the institution professionally at recruitment events and maintain a student‑centered approach in all activities.
• Ability to adapt to shifting program priorities, meet grant requirements, and contribute meaningfully to institutional goals.

Minimum required qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Experience in higher education, workforce development, career services, student advising, employer relations, business engagement, or related areas.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, faculty, staff, employers, and community partners.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and maintain accurate records and data.
• Proficiency with technology and electronic data‑management systems.

Additional Considerations:

• Master’s degree in counseling, business, education, or a related field.
• Experience coordinating internships, apprenticeships, experiential learning, or other WBL activities.
• Experience developing and maintaining partnerships with business and industry.
• Experience with student recruitment, advising, career services, or employment placement.
• Experience supporting customized workforce training.
• Experience using CRM, internship management, or comparable data-tracking systems