IT Co-op Program Specialist

Job Title: IT Co-op Program Specialist
Pay Rate: $35.71/hr.
Location: Boston MA 
Duration: 6 months, extension possible

Summary:
The Division of Information Technology Services (ITS) is seeking a proactive and organized professional to serve as the IT Co-op Program Specialist. This role is due to the day-to-day coordination and ongoing development of the ITS Co-op Program, serving as the primary point of contact for co-op students, hiring managers.

The IT Co-op Program Specialist manages the full co-op lifecycle — from recruitment and placement through onboarding, performance check-ins, and offboarding — while continuously improving the structure, consistency, and impact of the program. This person partners closely with ITS managers to identify co-op project opportunities, ensures students have meaningful and well-supported work experience, and tracks program outcomes to demonstrate value to ITS leadership.

The ideal candidate is comfortable working independently, balancing relationship management with process rigor, and translating an early-stage or informal co-op process into a scalable, well-documented program. Experience in higher education, campus recruiting, or academic-employer partnerships is a plus.

This is a hybrid position that requires on-site presence in the Boston office three days per week.

Qualifications (Education & Experience):
 

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Higher Education Administration, Information Technology, or a related field; equivalent experience considered in lieu of degree.
• Relevant certifications preferred (e.g., PHR/SHRM-CP, project management, career coaching).
• 3+ years of experience in program coordination, campus recruiting, HR/talent programs, internship or co-op administration, or a similar role.
• Demonstrated experience managing a program end-to-end, including recruiting, scheduling, stakeholder communication, and reporting.
• Experience partnering with hiring managers to define role scope, project work, and performance expectations for students or early-career talent.
• Experience building or improving program processes, documentation, or onboarding materials.
• Experience in higher education, university career services, or academic-employer co-op/internship partnerships is a plus.

Program Coordination & Development Knowledge and Skills:
 

• Strong understanding of co-op, internship, or early-talent program structures and best practices.
• Ability to build relationships with academic institutions, career services offices, and faculty co-op coordinators.
• Skilled at recruiting, screening, and matching candidates to appropriate roles and projects within ITS.
• Ability to design onboarding, training, and check-in processes that support student success and manager accountability.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple student placements, timelines, and stakeholders simultaneously.
• Proficiency with applicant tracking systems, scheduling tools, and Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook); familiarity with HRIS or co-op management platforms a plus.
• Ability to track and report on program metrics (placement rates, retention, manager and student satisfaction, conversion to full-time hire) to demonstrate program value.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to represent ITS professionally to external academic partners and prospective students.
• Ability to handle sensitive student and personnel information with discretion.
• Self-motivated and comfortable operating with a degree of ambiguity while building out a growing program.

Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities:

Program Coordination & Administration (35%)

• Manage the end-to-end co-op cycle: recruiting, interviewing support, offer coordination, onboarding, and offboarding.
• Maintain the master schedule of co-op rotations, start/end dates, and academic term alignment.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for co-op students throughout their placement, addressing questions and escalating issues as needed.
• Maintain accurate records of student placements, evaluations, and program documentation.

Employer & Manager Partnership (25%)

• Partner with ITS managers to identify suitable co-op project work and define role expectations.
• Coach hiring managers on effective onboarding, supervision, and feedback practices for co-op students.
• Conduct regular check-ins with managers and students to monitor performance, engagement, and satisfaction.

Academic & External Partnerships (20%)

• Build and maintain relationships with university career services offices, co-op coordinators, and faculty partners.
• Represent ITS at career fairs, info sessions, and campus recruiting events.
• Serve as liaison between ITS and academic institutions on program requirements, deadlines, and compliance.

Program Development & Continuous Improvement (15%)

• Develop and refine onboarding materials, program guidelines, and templates for managers and students.
• Establish and track program metrics (placements, retention, satisfaction, conversion to full-time hire) and report outcomes to ITS leadership.
• Identify opportunities to expand, formalize, or improve the co-op program's structure and reach.

Compliance & Reporting (5%)

• Ensure co-op placements comply with university, academic institution, and any relevant employment requirements.
• Prepare periodic summary reports on program status and outcomes for ITS leadership.