ATDM Career Readiness Specialist

INSTITUTE FOR ADVANCED LEARNING AND RESEARCH • Danville, VA

7d • $52,000 - $60,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The ATDM Career Readiness Specialist provides practical career-readiness support to students, helps them stay on track with required training, builds awareness of industry opportunities and employer expectations, and maintains accurate records to coordinate Career Services. The specialist helps students prepare for employment through resume and cover-letter support, mock interviews, professional communication instruction, job-search guidance, individualized assistance, and classroom visits. The role also monitors workforce training and Industry Connections coursework, follows up on incomplete work, and collaborates with instructors and ATDM staff to support student progress.

The specialist researches employers, job descriptions, career pathways, and requirements relevant to the Submarine Industrial Base and Defense Industrial Base. The position supports employer presentations and career-related events, maintains student-facing career resources, and coordinates with Career Services Coordinators to prepare students for employer interactions. The specialist maintains student and training records in Salesforce and SharePoint, supports reporting, protects confidential information, and performs related administrative and logistical duties.

This is a full-time, day-shift position based at The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research in Danville, Virginia. The role requires travel of up to 25%. Candidates must be a US person under US export control regulations and eligible to access controlled unclassified information (CUI).

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in career development, counseling, education, human resources, business administration, communications, or a related field; an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered.
• At least three years of related experience in career services, workforce development, student support, recruiting, training, or a closely related area.
• Demonstrated experience coaching students or job seekers in resume writing, interviewing, professional communication, job-search strategies, and workplace readiness.
• Experience managing multiple participants, deadlines, records, and follow-up activities while maintaining accuracy and responsiveness.
• Proficiency with learning management systems, customer relationship management systems, SharePoint, Microsoft Office, online job resources, or similar technology.
• Strong written and verbal communication, facilitation, collaboration, research, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work effectively with students, instructors, employers, and internal partners while adapting support to individual needs.
• Ability to handle student and employment information with discretion and in accordance with organizational policies and applicable privacy requirements.
• Must be a US person as defined by US export control regulations and eligible to access controlled unclassified information (CUI).
• Ability to travel up to 25%.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with Canvas and Salesforce is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Help students develop, review, and update resumes and cover letters.
• Plan and conduct individual and group mock interviews and provide constructive feedback.
• Provide hands-on instruction in professional communication, workplace expectations, interview etiquette, and employment-readiness skills.
• Guide students in using online job boards, employer career websites, and other employment resources.
• Identify students needing additional career-preparation support and provide individualized assistance.
• Coordinate with Career Services Coordinators when students complete career-readiness activities and are ready for employer engagement.
• Visit classrooms regularly to provide career-readiness guidance.
• Coordinate and monitor required workforce training and Industry Connections coursework in Canvas or other learning management systems.
• Track student participation, assignment completion, grades, training progress, and outstanding career-readiness requirements.
• Follow up with students who have incomplete assignments or are falling behind, and help them complete required coursework and activities.
• Collaborate with instructors and ATDM staff to identify students needing support and coordinate follow-up.
• Research Submarine Industrial Base and Defense Industrial Base employers, job descriptions, career pathways, and industry requirements.
• Build student awareness of employer expectations and career opportunities.
• Support logistics for employer presentations, industry panels, workshops, networking sessions, and career-related events.
• Maintain career-readiness resources, employer profiles, and job descriptions for student use.
• Coordinate with Career Services Coordinators to prepare students for employer interactions, interviews, and recruitment events.
• Maintain accurate and timely Salesforce records related to student participation, resumes, mock interviews, training, coursework progress, and career-readiness milestones.
• Use SharePoint to organize Career Services resources, student materials, and training documentation.
• Provide accurate participation, progress, and completion information for departmental and stakeholder reporting.
• Protect student and employment information in accordance with organizational policies and applicable privacy requirements.
• Perform related Career Services administrative and logistical duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Retirement benefits through the Virginia Retirement System with employer match.
• Vacation, paid sick leave, and paid family leave after one year.
• Paid holidays, including a two-week paid winter break.
• Anthem PPO and HSA health plans.
• Dental plan options.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level