Cooperative Education Program Manager

Details

Open Date 04/24/2025

Requisition Number PRN41729B

Job Title OCHE Manager

Working Title Cooperative Education Program Manager

Job Grade G

FLSA Code Administrative

Patient Sensitive Job Code? No

Standard Hours per Week 40

Full Time or Part Time? Full Time

Shift Day

Work Schedule Summary

Monday – Friday

This is a hybrid role in office 3 days per week.

VP Area President

Department 01379 - USHE Commissioner

Location Office of the Commissioner - Downtown SLC

City Salt Lake City, UT

Type of Recruitment External Posting

Pay Rate Range $68,000 - $73,000

Close Date 07/24/2025

Priority Review Date (Note - Posting may close at any time)

Job Summary

The Cooperative Education Program Manager will lead the development and implementation of a pilot cooperative education program across six degree-granting institutions within the Utah System of Higher Education ( USHE ). This role is responsible for supporting policy development, standardized procedures, and institutional and partnering employer/industry coordination to ensure the successful integration of cooperative education into degree programs. This position will work with the Associate and Assistant Commissioners as it relates to the cooperative education pilot.

The program manager will also directly support institutions in policy creation, accreditation requests, and curriculum alignment while marketing the program to employers and industry associations to foster engagement. The ideal candidate will possess strong project management, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills and be able to bridge higher education and industry workforce needs effectively.

This position is funded via one-time funds allocated through the legislature, meaning its employment term is up to June 30, 2027.

Responsibilities

Essential Functions

• Collaborate with pilot USHE institutions to establish pilot cooperative education programs aligned with academic and workforce needs.
• Work with faculty, deans, and academic leadership to support the development of degree-specific plans of study that integrate cooperative education.
• Ensure Co-op processes comply with accreditor guidelines, institutional policies, and state/federal regulations.
• Assist in drafting MOUs and program agreement templates between institutions and employers.
• Market the cooperative education program to employers, industry associations, and workforce development organizations.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with key industry stakeholders to expand cooperative education opportunities.
• Support the development of standardized processes for cooperative education within the Utah System of Higher Education.
• Monitor program success metrics, student placements, and employer satisfaction.
• Provide program expansion and sustainability recommendations based on data analysis and stakeholder feedback.
• Meet with institutional leaders, faculty, and employers regularly to align goals and share best practices.
• Serve as a liaison between Talent Ready Utah, USHE institutions, employers, and industry associations.
• Ensure support for participating institutions in navigating program development and implementation challenges.
• Represent Talent Ready Utah at conferences, industry events, and policy meetings related to cooperative education.
• Provide ongoing support for the TalentHub initiative, including aligning student-employer engagement strategies with cooperative education goals.
• Support collecting data, benchmarks, and best practices from other institutions and systems implementing cooperative education models.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Work Environment and Level of Frequency Typically Required

• Nearly Continuously: Office environment.
• Often: Repetitive hand motion (such as typing), sitting, hearing, listening, talking.
• Seldom: Bending, reaching overhead, travel to USHE institutions and employer sites.

Physical Requirements and Level of Frequency That May Be Required

• Nearly Continuously: Sitting, hearing, listening, talking.
• Often: Repetitive hand motion (such as typing), walking.
• Seldom: Bending, reaching overhead, travel.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in a related field, or equivalency (one year of education can be substituted for two years of related work experience); four years related experience; and demonstrated human relations, effective communication, project management, and relationship-building skills are required.

Preferences

• Master’s degree preferred in education leadership, workforce development, public administration, or a related field.
• Experience working with higher education institutions, industry partners, or apprenticeship/co-op programs is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with higher education accreditation processes, workforce policy, and academic program development is a plus.

Type Benefited Staff

Special Instructions Summary

Additional Information

The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.

This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.

The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and patients from all backgrounds and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education and quality healthcare for historically underrepresented students and patients.

All qualified individuals are strongly encouraged to apply. Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.

The University of Utah is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.

for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action ( OEO /AA). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator’s office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at: https://www.utah.edu/nondiscrimination/

Online reports may be submitted at oeo.utah.edu

https://safety.utah.edu/safetyreport This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.