Employer Relations Associate/Career Counselor

Job Description:

Campus Title: Employer Relations Associate/Career Counselor
State Job Title: Staff Associate
Department: Career Center
Job Code: HA5300
FLSA Status: Exempt
Funding: 7115-0100
Bargaining Unit: APA
Job Type: Full-Time Permanent
Timeframe: 52 Weeks
Shift: Monday-Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm (some evenings, weekends & travel required)
Regular Days Off: Saturday and Sunday
Supervision Received: Reports to the Director of Career Center
Supervision Exercised: None
Salary: $58,000-$63,000 Annually (salary commensurate with education and experience)

General Statement of Duties:
The Employer Relations Associate/Career Counselor provides inclusive, student-centered career advising while building and sustaining strategic partnerships with employers, alumni, and community organizations to expand equitable access to internships, employment, and experiential learning opportunities. This position plays a critical role in advancing student success by integrating career development into educational experience and strengthening connections between students and the workforce. The role directly supports institutional priorities by preparing students to successfully transition from college to career and by aligning academic experiences with evolving workforce needs.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Duties include but not limited to:
Essential:

Employer & Workforce Engagement

• Develop and sustain strategic relationships with local, regional, and national employers to expand internship and employment pipelines.
• Serve as a key liaison between the University and industry, ensuring alignment between workforce needs and student preparation.
• Increase access to equitable, high-quality experiential learning opportunities for all students.

Programming & Experiential Learning

• Design and facilitate innovative workshops, programs, and events that integrate career readiness into the student experience.
• Lead and support large-scale initiatives such as career fairs and professional development programs with an emphasis on access and engagement.
• Collaborate with faculty and academic departments to embed career development into curricula and co-curricular experiences.

Student Success & Career Development

• Deliver inclusive, high-impact career counseling that supports diverse student populations in all phases of career exploration, decision-making, and post-graduate planning.
• Guide students in connecting academic learning with career pathways, emphasizing skill development, career readiness competencies, and lifelong adaptability.
• Utilize data-informed and evidence-based practices, including assessment tools, to support student goal setting and outcomes.

Campus Collaboration & Strategic Initiatives

• Partner with faculty, staff, and campus stakeholders to align career services with institutional goals and academic priorities.
• Contribute to University-wide initiatives including orientation, retention efforts, and student success programs.
• Represent the Career Center on committees and cross-functional teams that support strategic plan implementation.

Marketing, Outreach & Communication

• Oversee and guide student interns in delivering consistent, strategic messaging across communication channels.
• Leverage digital platforms and marketing strategies to increase awareness and utilization of career services.

Impact Statement

• This role is instrumental in ensuring that all students graduate with the knowledge, skills, and professional connections necessary for career success. By bridging academic experiences with workforce opportunities, the position directly contributes to improved student outcomes and stronger employer partnerships.

Non-Essential:

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree.
• Minimum of 1-3 years of experience in employer relations, career development, recruiting, or counseling preferred.
• Highly motivated, energetic, and goal driven professional.
• Strong relationship-building skills with the ability to effectively engage employers, students, alumni, faculty, and community partners.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to present, facilitate, and tailor messaging to varied audiences.
• Proven organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience planning and executing programs or events, including workshops, career fairs, or networking initiatives.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with career services platforms, CRM systems, or data management tools.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively, demonstrating initiative, adaptability, and a solutions-oriented mindset.
• Knowledge of employment trends and workforce needs.
• Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends and to travel as needed for employer engagement and events.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in higher education, counseling, or a related field.

Additional Information:

Salary:

Salaries for current Westfield State University employees and individuals currently working for the state of Massachusetts must be calculated individually in accordance with collective bargaining agreements as well as state policies. State job specifications may be found on the Department of Higher Education's webpage.

Employee Benefits:

Benefits are an important component of an employee's total compensation package.

• Health Insurance: Westfield State offers a variety of HMO, POS, and PPO-type health insurance plans for eligible employees. Coverage is effective on the 1st of the month following the date of hire. Exceptions to employees hired on the 1st of the month, coverage is effective immediately.
• Retirement: the MA State Employee Retirement System provides eligible employees with a retirement pension following a 10-year vesting period. In lieu of the retirement pension, eligible employees may select the Optional Retirement Plan with a maximum 5% employer matching contribution.
• Tuition Waivers & Discounts: eligible employees, including spouses and dependent children, receive reduced tuition at MA state colleges, community colleges, and universities.
• Paid Time Off: employees receive 12 paid holidays and generous vacation, personal, and sick leave benefits.
• Additional information regarding employee benefits is available on the University's Benefits & Wellness webpage.

Disability Accommodations

Westfield State University is committed to the full inclusion of individuals with disabilities and will ensure the availability of reasonable accommodations. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact Human Resources at View phone number on click.appcast.io or visit us in the Horace Mann Building, 1st floor.

Background Check

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion and review of a background check. A criminal record will not automatically disqualify an applicant from consideration.



Application Instructions:

An on-line application is required. The successful candidate must submit an official transcript at the time of hire. Interested candidates should electronically attach the following documents:

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Contact information for three references *
• Copy of unofficial transcript of highest degree

* Provide the contact information for reference providers in the reference section of the online application.


Deadline: The job posting will be open a minimum of ten days and, if needed, will remain open until finalists have been selected.


Please Note:
Each newly posted position includes a 90-day interval between the posting date and the anticipated start date. This allows time for the full recruitment process, including application review, interviews, and final hiring approvals.

If you need assistance completing your application please contact our online Help Desk. The link to the help desk can be found at the top of the page via Contact Us.