What are the responsibilities and job description for the Career Development Coordinator position at Montana State University?
The Career Development Coordinator leads all student employment, internship development, and career preparation activities within the LIFE Scholars program. The position is responsible for supporting students in obtaining and maintaining part-time employment, preparing students for internship experiences, developing internship placements, and building relationships with employers that result in meaningful, competitive, integrated employment opportunities.
The Career Development Coordinator serves as a direct support professional, instructor, advocate, and employment specialist who works alongside students, employers, faculty, staff, families, and community partners. The position prioritizes individual student success and recognizes that meaningful employment outcomes are achieved through proactive planning, consistent instruction, strong employer partnerships, and high expectations.
The Career Development Coordinator works closely with the Director of LIFE Scholars to advance the program’s mission of preparing graduates for meaningful employment and independent adult lives.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Provide individualized employment support to LIFE Scholars students, including: sourcing employment opportunities, assisting with resumes, job applications, and other employment paperwork
- Communicating and collaborating with employer supervisors to identify and implement workplace supports.
- Documenting student skills, strengths, interests, and work experiences to contribute to career profiles and resumes.
- Identifying and developing internship opportunities on campus and in the community.
- Facilitating the development of student career profiles that document work experiences, evaluations, skills acquired, and letters of recommendation.
- Collaborating with outside job developers and community partners to support post-graduation employment.
- Prepare supervisors and mentors for student onboarding and support.
- Establish a systematic process for site observations, task analysis, mentor identification, and student matching that can be replicated by future staff and program personnel.
- Develop and implement orientation activities that prepare second-year students for internship experiences.
- Host informational meetings that connect students and families with post-graduation resources.
- Developing relationships with employers across Montana.
Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
- Bachelor’s degree in Special Education, Rehabilitation, Human Services, Education, Social Work, Psychology, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Demonstrated experience working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- Demonstrated experience supporting employment, internships, career development, or transition services.
- Demonstrated experience in building collaborative relationships with students, families, employers, faculty, staff, and community partners.
- Demonstrated experience managing multiple projects and priorities.
Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
- Master’s degree in Special Education, Rehabilitation Counseling, Transition Services, or a related field.
- Demonstrated experience providing job coaching or employment support.
- Demonstrated experience conducting workplace assessments, task analyses, or vocational evaluations.
- Demonstrated experience developing employer partnerships.
- Demonstrated experience creating training materials or facilitating professional development.
- Knowledge of employment practices and transition-to-employment programming.
The Successful Candidate Will
- Patience and consistency in teaching and supporting students.
- Strong observation and problem-solving skills.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Commitment to student-centered decision making.
- Ability to anticipate challenges and proactively plan supports.
- Flexibility and responsiveness when student needs arise.
- Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
- Initiative in creating systems and processes that can be sustained over time.
- Commitment to inclusive employment and high expectations for all students.
Position Special Requirements/Additional Information
Continuation of employment is contingent upon availability of funding.
This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Physical Demands
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
This position has supervisory duties?
No
Posting Detail Information
Number of Vacancies
1
Desired Start Date
At the conclusion of a successful search
Position End Date (if temporary)
Open Date
Close Date
Applications will be:
Screening of applications will begin on September 16, 2026; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.
Special Instructions
This position is not eligible for sponsorship.
EEO Statement
Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.
In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.
In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.
Benefits:
Health Insurance, Sick Leave, Retirement PlanSalary : $24