ATDM Career Readiness Specialist

To ensure full consideration, applications should be submitted by November 2, 2026. Review of applications will begin on November 2, 2026, and continue on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Candidates whose qualifications and experience most closely align with the requirements of the position will be contacted.

Due to the nature of the work environment, candidates must be a US person as defined by US export control regulations and eligible to access controlled unclassified information (CUI).

The Pay, Perks, and Benefits
• Annual Salary of $52,000 - $60,000, commensurate with experience.
 • Retirement benefits are provided through the Virginia Retirement System with employer match.
 • Generous time off is provided, including vacation, paid sick leave, and paid family leave after one year.
 • Paid holidays are provided, including a two-week paid winter break.
 • Anthem PPO and HSA health plans are offered, with excellent dental options.

What You Will Do
In this role, you will deliver practical career-readiness support, help students stay on track with required training, build awareness of industry opportunities and employer expectations, and maintain accurate records that support effective coordination across Career Services.

Prepare Students for Career Success
• Help students develop, review, and update resumes and cover letters for employment opportunities.
• Plan and conduct individual and group mock interviews, offering constructive feedback that strengthens interviewing skills and confidence.
• Provide hands-on instruction in professional communication, workplace expectations, interview etiquette, and other employment-readiness skills.
• Guide students in using online job boards, employer career websites, and other employment resources.
• Identify students who need additional career-preparation support and provide individualized assistance.
• Coordinate with Career Services Coordinators when students complete career-readiness activities and are prepared for employer engagement.
• Visit classrooms regularly to provide guidance on resumes, interviews, professional communication, employer expectations, and workforce transitions.

Support Training and Student Progress
• Coordinate and monitor required workforce training and Industry Connections coursework in Canvas or other learning management systems.
• Track student participation, assignment completion, grades, training progress, and outstanding career-readiness requirements.
• Follow up with students who have incomplete assignments or are falling behind and help them complete required coursework and activities.
• Collaborate with instructors and ATDM staff to identify students who need additional support and coordinate appropriate follow-up.

Expand Industry Awareness
• Research Submarine Industrial Base and Defense Industrial Base employers, job descriptions, career pathways, and industry requirements relevant to students.
• Build student awareness of employer expectations and potential career opportunities.
• Support logistics for employer presentations, industry panels, workshops, networking sessions, and career-related events.
• Maintain career-readiness resources, employer profiles, and job descriptions for student use.
• Coordinate with Career Services Coordinators to prepare students for employer interactions, interviews, and recruitment events.

Maintain Records and Resources
• Maintain accurate, timely Salesforce records for student participation, resume completion, mock interviews, workforce training, coursework progress, and career-readiness milestones.
• Use SharePoint to organize Career Services resources, student materials, and training documentation.
• Provide accurate participation, progress, and completion information for departmental and stakeholder reporting.
• Protect student and employment information in accordance with IALR policies and applicable privacy requirements.
• Perform related Career Services administrative and logistical duties as assigned.

How You Will Help the Team
As a Career Readiness Specialist, you will help students build the skills, confidence, and professional tools needed to transition successfully into the workforce. You will provide hands-on career preparation, monitor student progress, coordinate workforce-readiness activities, and connect students with meaningful exposure to employers and career pathways within the Submarine Industrial Base and Defense Industrial Base.

Your Knowledge and Expertise

• Bachelor’s degree in career development, counseling, education, human resources, business administration, communications, or a related field
• At least three years of related experience in career services, workforce development, student support, recruiting, training, or a closely related area.
• An equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered.
• Demonstrated experience coaching students or job seekers in resume writing, interviewing, professional communication, job-search strategies, and workplace readiness.
• Experience managing multiple participants, deadlines, records, and follow-up activities while maintaining accuracy and responsiveness.
• Proficiency with learning management systems, customer relationship management systems, SharePoint, Microsoft Office, online job resources, or similar technology; experience with Canvas and Salesforce is preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication, facilitation, collaboration, research, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work effectively with students, instructors, employers, and internal partners while adapting support to individual needs.
• Ability to handle student and employment information with discretion and in accordance with organizational policies and applicable privacy requirements.

What Makes Working Here Different
You will play a direct role in helping students turn technical training into career opportunity. By beginning career-readiness work early in each cohort and partnering closely with instructors, ATDM staff, and Career Services Coordinators, you will help students move confidently from the classroom to employer engagement.

Equal Opportunity Employer
We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status