Practicum Coordinator

Southwestern Oregon Community College•Coos Bay, OR

22h

About The Position

The Practicum Coordinator identifies, develops, and oversees external field placement sites for Education and Human Services/Behavioral Health programs. The role ensures student experiential learning meets course objectives, college standards, and external accreditation or licensing requirements. The coordinator serves as a primary liaison among the community college, students, and community and industry partners, collaborating with faculty to promote and manage practicums, assess students and employers, and track student progress. The role also coordinates job placement activities, including responding to employer inquiries, advertising opportunities, pre-screening applicants when appropriate, and assisting students with career exploration, career development, and academic advising. This position is dependent upon grant funding. The position maintains practicum documentation and tracking systems, develops reporting processes, coordinates student-to-site matching, and facilitates accompanying coursework with program faculty. It recruits and supports community and industry placement partners, coordinates formal agreements and insurance verification, monitors placement quality, and ensures placements meet applicable licensing, accreditation, ethical supervision, privacy, and field-hour requirements. The coordinator orients and advises students, monitors their hours and performance, identifies barriers to educational success, and connects students with appropriate resources. The position may require travel, work at other college locations, and a flexible schedule that may include evenings and weekends.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in education, human services, human resources, or a specific program-related field.
Two years of experience in program coordination, academic advising, student services, field supervision, or directly related industry experience.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing in English, with or without an interpreter.
Ability to perform work accurately and efficiently in compliance with federal, state, and institutional policies and procedures.
Familiarity with relevant laws and regulations for internship programs.
High level of technology literacy, including knowledge of retail systems and computer software and hardware.
Ability to use internet searching, Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel, and to learn the college information management system and other software.
Ability to plan, organize, and independently carry out activities accurately within deadlines.
Ability and willingness to manage a flexible schedule with self-discipline, including travel, varied hours, possible weekends and evenings, and workdays at other college locations.
Ability to model and ensure diversity and cultural competency, including respect for, inclusion of, and responsiveness to cultural differences.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to maintain a pleasant and helpful attitude in stressful or emotional situations.
Communication and human relations skills to resolve complaints and issues, defuse anger, and gain cooperation.
Ability to facilitate workshops and support groups.
Knowledge of college entrance procedures and programs of study.
Knowledge of the role of student practicums in supporting a college living-learning-lab experience.
Knowledge of the world of work, assessment testing, and the transfer process.
Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid, unrestricted Oregon driver’s license.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in education, human services, human resources, or a specific program-related field.
Experience in an educational setting.
Experience working on grant-funded programs in higher education.
Knowledge of educational and community resources.

Responsibilities

Maintain current documentation, manage clinical/practicum tracking software, and generate reports for departmental and accreditation reviews.
Work with the Institutional Researcher to design and implement accurate tracking and reporting systems for interns, externs, practicum sites, and graduate placements.
Serve as a liaison among the college, employers, and community regarding administrative and operating requirements for work-based learning and job placement programs.
Maintain contact with educational institutions and programs and establish collaborative relationships with campus program areas.
Facilitate accompanying practicum coursework using the college learning management system in collaboration with faculty.
Work with faculty and workforce organizations to identify or develop appropriate practicum sites and learning objectives.
Coordinate matching students with host sites based on geographic location, career goals, and competency requirements.
Work with employers to advertise jobs, pre-screen interested students, and refer qualified applicants; help students find and enter appropriate paid employment.
Recruit, evaluate, and secure community and industry partnership sites for practicums or clinical rotations.
Collaborate with college administration to establish and maintain legal contracts, memorandums of understanding, and insurance verifications with partner sites.
Communicate with site supervisors and mentors to assess placement suitability, address challenges, and support mentor development.
Ensure placements align with state Department of Education licensure pathways, NAEYC standards, relevant field-hour requirements, and ethical supervision standards.
Conduct specialized risk management and ethics orientations as needed, including ensuring compliance with HIPAA privacy standards and professional codes of ethics.
Visit placement sites to liaise with student mentors and supervisors and troubleshoot operational concerns.
Orient students to practicum requirements, conduct pre-placement orientations, and review applications or prerequisites such as background checks, immunizations, and skill sign-offs.
Develop a process to ensure students have appropriate habits and attitudes for successful practicum participation.
Monitor student hours, field performance, and progress through check-ins, site visits, and evaluations from site preceptors or supervisors.
Advise students about academic opportunities consistent with college programs, certificates, and degrees.
Assess barriers to educational success, such as housing, transportation, childcare, and financial aid, and connect students with internal and external resources.
Assist students with career exploration, career development, course selection, and degree completion advising.
Perform other duties and special projects as required or assigned.