Practicum Coordinator - Waterbury, CT

JOB SUMMARY:

The Practicum Coordinator is a full-time, 12-month position overseeing and improving practicum experiences within the John P. Burke School of Public Service & Education. The coordinator works primarily with Bachelor of Science in Human Services program students, managing practicum readiness, site approval, documentation, and compliance from start to finish.

The position also assists the Assistant Program Chairs of Child Studies and Early Childhood Education with practicum reporting and data collection. It supports students in the Bachelor of Science in Child Studies and the Associate of Science in Early Childhood Education programs. The role requires strong organization, collaboration, and communication to ensure consistent, high-quality practicum experience across all Burke School programs. It is an on-campus opportunity in Waterbury, CT, and is not a remote position.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Practicum Oversight and Coordination:

• Oversee practicum placements and documentation for approximately 200 students per term.
• Verify site eligibility based on program and accreditation standards.
• Collaborate with academic advisors and practicum instructors to ensure alignment in expectations, communication, and grading practices.
• Maintain organized practicum records, handbooks, forms, and related student resources.
• Update practicum materials annually to reflect current policies, procedures, and deadlines.

Student Support and Communication:

• Guide students through practicum requirements, pre-approval steps, and documentation processes.
• Provide individualized support for site readiness, scheduling challenges, and field-related issues.
• Offer professional coaching to enhance student readiness for practicum experiences.
• Communicate proactively with students to ensure understanding of expectations, deadlines, and compliance requirements.

Collaboration and Reporting:

• Partner with Program Chairs, Assistant Program Chairs, Practicum Instructors, and Academic Advisors to support student progress and ensure program consistency.
• Assist the Assistant Program Chairs of Child Studies and Early Childhood Education with practicum reporting, tracking, and data analysis.
• Work regularly with Child Studies and Early Childhood Education students to ensure accurate documentation and readiness for field experiences.
• Maintain practicum records, pre-approvals, and affiliation agreements using Microsoft Teams, Forms, and Handshake.
• Coordinate with the Dean’s Office and Legal Department to manage affiliation agreements and ensure institutional and state standards compliance.
• Prepare and submit annual NC-SARA practicum reports.

Continuous Improvement and Training:

• Evaluate practicum processes across programs for efficiency, accuracy, and clarity.
• Train new faculty and Academic Advisors on practicum workflows and documentation protocols.
• Use student and faculty feedback to enhance the practicum experience.
• Support Burke School initiatives that promote experiential learning, academic excellence, and workforce readiness.

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below represent the knowledge, skills, and abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, organizational leadership, management, human services, education, or a related field.
• Basic understanding of practicums or field experience programs and their role in applied learning.
• At least three (3) years of experience supporting online students in a higher education environment.
• Strong organizational, communication, and documentation skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365, including Teams, Forms, and Excel.
• Student-centered, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple priorities effectively.
• Collaborative, innovative, and proactive in improving processes and enhancing student experiences.

Preferred Requirements:

• Master’s degree in business administration, education, human services, or a related field.
• Experience coordinating practicums or field experience programs.
• Familiarity with the Handshake platform or similar career development systems.
• Knowledge of NC-SARA reporting and higher education compliance standards.
• Experience developing and managing affiliation agreements.

SUMMARY:

Since its creation in 2021, the Practicum Coordinator role has become integral to the John P. Burke School of Public Service & Education, ensuring the quality, consistency, and success of practicum experiences. The coordinator works primarily with human services students, assists child studies and early childhood education programs with reporting and data tracking, and collaborates with faculty and advisors to deliver meaningful, compliant, and well-supported learning experiences. The Practicum Coordinator helps advance experiential learning and student readiness for the professional workforce through organization, communication, and innovation.