Perkins & Career Education Specialist - MnSCU Academic Professional 2

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities•Owatonna, MN

20d

About The Position

The purpose of the Perkins Career Engagement Specialist is to support quality career and technical education, ensuring that every learner has equitable access to career-connected learning through a network of knowledgeable partners as indicated in the Carl Perkins grant outcomes. Part of this role requires the management of the Carl D. Perkins grant, including managing the budget, tracking data, facilitating meetings, submitting annual reports, and writing grant proposals. Additionally, this position supports the alignment and integration of career-connected learning experiences into existing academic programs and as stand-alone workshops for Riverland students. The incumbent will work with faculty and academic administrators to assist with classroom activities, guest speakers, industry tours, job shadows, and internships for Riverland students. The Specialist will be responsible for overall program management, data collection and reporting, student outcome tracking, graduation follow-up, and alumni career connections that strengthen the program. This position will serve as a liaison between faculty and businesses, exploring opportunities to develop apprenticeships, internships, dual-training, capstone projects, and other experiential learning and career placement activities as well as oversight to ensure consistent practices across credit and non-credit programs in high-demand areas to build market-driven career pathways for students. All employees of Riverland Community College are responsible for promoting a culture that supports diversity and inclusion in all forms as well as providing excellent customer service continuously to all internal and external contacts. This position requires regular travel within our service areas, including travel to all three campuses.

Requirements

Two (2) years of professional experience coordinating programs, projects, or initiatives that involve multiple stakeholders, timelines, and reporting requirements OR bachelor’s degree and one (1) year of related work experience OR an equivalent combination of education and experience. An associate degree could substitute for 6 months of experience, a bachelor’s degree is 12 months, and a master’s degree is 18 months in education, workforce development, public administration, social sciences, or a related field.
Experience working with data, reports, or accountability measures to support program monitoring, compliance, or continuous improvement
Experience coordinating activities across departments, units, or external partners.
Demonstrated ability to organize work, manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain accurate documentation.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with faculty, staff, administrators, students, and external partners.
Proficiency with standard office software and data systems (e.g., spreadsheets, databases, reporting tools, or similar platforms).

Nice To Haves

Experience working with Carl D. Perkins, CTE programs, federal or state grants, or other publicly funded education or workforce initiatives.
Experience supporting or coordinating work-based learning, internships, apprenticeships, employer partnerships, or experiential learning programs.
Experience working in a postsecondary education or K–12 education environment, particularly within a system or consortium structure.
Experience using disaggregated data to support equity, access, participation, or student success initiatives, including work related to underrepresented populations or non-traditional occupations by gender.
Familiarity with Minnesota State, state workforce agencies, or public-sector compliance and reporting environments.
Experience supporting advisory committees, articulation agreements, or secondary–postsecondary partnerships.
Bilingual/multilingual fluent in Spanish, Karen, Karenni, Somali, Pohnpeian, French, Nuer, Anuak, or other languages that reflect our student body, workforce, and communities.
Demonstrated experience working with multicultural and underserved populations.

Responsibilities

Manage the Carl D. Perkins grant, including managing the budget, tracking data, facilitating meetings, submitting annual reports, and writing grant proposals.
Support the alignment and integration of career-connected learning experiences into existing academic programs and as stand-alone workshops for Riverland students.
Work with faculty and academic administrators to assist with classroom activities, guest speakers, industry tours, job shadows, and internships for Riverland students.
Responsible for overall program management, data collection and reporting, student outcome tracking, graduation follow-up, and alumni career connections that strengthen the program.
Serve as a liaison between faculty and businesses, exploring opportunities to develop apprenticeships, internships, dual-training, capstone projects, and other experiential learning and career placement activities
Oversight to ensure consistent practices across credit and non-credit programs in high-demand areas to build market-driven career pathways for students.

Benefits

11 paid Holidays
Vacation Time
Sick Time
six weeks of Paid Parental Leave
low cost medical and dental insurance with low deductibles ($250 - $1500)
Pension Plan
457(b) and 403(b) retirement plans and other retirement investment options
pre-tax medical and dental expense (with roll-over option) and dependent care accounts
employer paid life insurance
short and long term disability
professional development
tuition waiver program for employees and their dependents