Bennington College, a liberal arts college distinguished for its pioneering initiatives in higher education, seeks an engaged and motivated Student Employment Specialist to join the Career Development and Field Work Term Office as we support students seeking work experience both on- and off-campus. 

Bennington has, since its founding, offered field work experiences for all undergraduates and integrated these experiences into college curricula. At Bennington, we also think beyond the internship—encouraging students to pursue entrepreneurial ventures, apprenticeships, research experiences, campus work, and service-learning as part of their field experience—and all of these endeavors are supported with reflective learning structures, life design curricula, and integrated academic advising.  

The Student Employment Specialist communicates with students, faculty, employers, and student supervisors to provide information on all areas of student employment. Additionally,  the Specialist provides advice to students regarding job selection processes and employment choices that align with the student’s career goals. The Specialist should be attentive to equity issues facing first-generation, economically insecure, and high-need domestic and international students and lead efforts to establish, maintain, and formalize access to high-quality paid work on campus. The ideal candidate would possess a strong range of data, budget, and human resources management skills while maintaining students at the center of their work.

The Student Employment Specialist oversees a multi-part structure for work-integrated learning at Bennington, in which campus employment and community internships are seen as essential vehicles for learning through the world of work. The Specialist will manage all processes of listing and hiring on/off-campus student employment opportunities, as well as supporting and documenting external partnerships with Field Work Term employers. This may include but is not limited to:

• Supporting students to achieve access to on and off-campus jobs

• Troubleshooting issues facing campus workers; resolving conflicts with consistent standards

• Managing and extending relationships with Community Federal Work Study employers

• Driving large-scale data analysis, reporting, and systems migration

• Overseeing compliance with Federal Work Study (FWS) regulations

• Ensuring compliance with policies and procedures supporting inclusivity at work; establishing medical accommodations with students as needed

• Implementing protocols for tracking and maintaining critical employer data

• Maintaining and enhancing handbooks and digital toolkits

The position works with all College departments, students, faculty and staff. External relationships include, but are not limited to, the employers and subsequent contacts at student employment and job/internship sites; outreach to curate new relationships; necessary parties for institutional research and analysis; site supervisors; recruiters; and peer institutions. Student relationships are the core aspect of this work, and a commitment to upholding practices of diversity and inclusion is essential. The Specialist is expected to attend team meetings and training as relevant to the position and to complete other administrative tasks and projects as assigned by the Associate Director of Employer Relations.

The position will commence in October 2024.

Minimum Experience/Qualifications include:

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience required. Master’s Degree in Higher Education Administration, Human Resources Management, or related field preferred. Minimum of one year of experience in Higher Education, Human Resources, or related fields; preference for 2-3 years’ experience.

• Must be able to establish priorities and meet deadlines. Demonstrated ability to interpret and implement policy and procedures.

• Capacity to take initiative in fostering and cultivating positive and lasting stakeholder relationships, both on campus and in the greater Bennington community. 

• Experience in handling confidential information according to FERPA and HIPAA guidelines.

• Excellent understanding of data administration and management functions (collection, analysis, distribution etc.). An analytical mindset with strong problem-solving skills.

• Advanced computer proficiency (Word, Google Suite, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe). Advanced Excel skills are required including pivot tables, referential formulas, complex mail merges, and advanced filtering. Prior experience in Handshake is preferred.

• Preference given to candidates with experience in human resources and/or student employment, knowledge of policies and guidelines surrounding the Federal Work Study program.

• Superior oral and written communication skills, including the ability to work with a wide range of constituents to achieve common understanding and purpose.

• Demonstrated experience and ability to work with a diverse student population, while promoting and encouraging inclusive practices. Experience in a college/university setting is a plus.

• Capacity to multitask and prioritize tasks to accommodate the immediate needs of the office, following supervisory direction. Demonstrated experience to work independently on complex projects. 

Bennington serves a diverse student population inclusive of members of ethnically/racially minoritized, international, LGBTQIA+, and disability communities as well as diverse gender identities, socioeconomic backgrounds, religions, and political beliefs. Our staff and faculty also reflect diverse and intersecting backgrounds and identities. All employees are expected to be respectful and responsive to these differences in the service of building community that promotes student and employee success and community cohesiveness. Each individual (faculty, staff and students) will be accountable for upholding these values. The College’s approach to pluralism and inclusivity—both as fields of inquiry and practice—is to prioritize flexible thought, and to invite the examination of access, value, power, and privilege through its institutional policies and areas of study. We encourage applicants from diverse realms of interest, backgrounds, experience, and accomplishment to apply.

This position requires successful completion and acceptable results of a background check.

The College

Bennington College offers a comprehensive benefits program that includes medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance, retirement, and tuition benefits including Tuition Exchange scholarships. The College also offers an on-site fitness center as well as generous time off benefits.

Bennington College is a laboratory for innovation in higher education. At Bennington, learning and making—on campus and in the field—are inseparable, and its graduates are noted for their outsized impact on the world’s stage. This campus celebrates the ongoing making of work—shared on walls, in shows and performances, in lectures and readings, and in conversations—and believes that equity, diversity, and inclusivity are vital to a collaborative community. This position captures, contributes to, and reflects the ethos of this creative community.

Nestled at the foot of the Green Mountains in Vermont, the campus consists of approximately 370 acres. The College was named one of ten with the best architecture by Architectural Digest.  From campus, it is a short drive to the cultural offerings of the northern Berkshires in Massachusetts, Albany, New York, and many of Vermont’s top recreational centers. New York City, Boston, and Burlington, Vermont are all within three and a half hours by car.