The School of Life Sciences and Sustainability (SLSS) at Virginia Commonwealth University invites applications for an Internship Coordinator beginning May 2026. This foundational role in our newly established school will help build and expand internship opportunities across all SLSS programs. It is ideal for someone who enjoys working directly with students, cultivating external partnerships, and building systems that make complex processes accessible and effective.

As SLSS continues to grow, internships are a core pillar of our commitment to experiential learning and career readiness. The Coordinator will play a central role in designing the structures, partnerships, and processes that support internships across multiple academic programs, and will help us meet our goal of ensuring that every SLSS student feels empowered to pursue professional experiences aligned with their career aspirations.

Key responsibilities will include:

1. Student Engagement and Advising

• Advise students on identifying, securing, and completing internships aligned with their academic and career goals
• Serve as the primary point of contact for internship inquiries
• Develop clear, accessible guides and digital resources
• Lead outreach campaigns via email, web, and social media
• Organize internship fairs, networking events, and employer “coffee hours”

2. Partnership Development

• Lead strategic partnership development to expand high-quality internship placements across sectors
• Work with faculty to identify and cultivate relationships with government agencies, nonprofits, healthcare organizations, and private industry
• Support the formalization of internship partnerships through university agreements and processes
• Strengthen connections between SLSS, alumni, and community partners

3. Program Infrastructure and Assessment

• Collaborate closely with VCU’s Academic Internships Office
• Design and implement scalable processes to support internship growth across multiple academic programs
• Maintain internship records and analyze participation and outcomes data to support assessment, continuous improvement, and strategic planning
• Supervise and mentor student interns or work-study staff supporting internship operations

This is a 12-month, full-time staff appointment reporting to the SLSS Director. The position is fully onsite with occasional evening or weekend events. VCU is committed to the professional growth of its staff and offers clear pathways for career advancement within a university mission that prioritizes student success and community impact.

The position falls under the Administrator classification within VCU’s Student Services job family. For additional details, please visit VCU Human Resources’ Job Family and Salary Ranges, here.

Application Process:

Candidates should submit the following materials to VCUjobs.com:

• Cover letter detailing qualifications and interest in the position
• Resume
• Contact information for at least three professional references

Review of applications will begin in mid-March and continue until the position is filled. To ensure full consideration, please apply by March 20, 2026. Questions should be sent to slss@vcu.edu.

About VCU & SLSS:

Virginia Commonwealth University is a nationally recognized public, urban research university located in historic Richmond, Virginia. Designated a Carnegie R1 institution for very high research activity, VCU enrolls nearly 29,000 students across its Monroe Park and VCU Health campuses. Ranked among the top public universities nationwide by U.S. News & World Report, VCU is known for academic excellence, student success, and strong partnerships with government, nonprofit, and industry leaders in Virginia’s capital city. 

The School of Life Sciences and Sustainability (SLSS) was established in 2025, bringing together programs in Biology, Environmental Studies, Bioinformatics, Sustainable Innovation, Outdoor Leadership, and Integrative Life Sciences to create an interdisciplinary hub for teaching and research. We serve more than 2,400 undergraduate and 100 graduate students across bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs. Our 67 full-time faculty and 16 professional staff are committed to innovative teaching, experiential learning, and impactful research across the life, environmental, and health sciences. As a growing school, we are building a collaborative community focused on preparing students to address complex challenges in a changing world. Visit slss.vcu.edu to learn more.

VCU is committed to hiring veterans! VCU will add your military years of service to our leave plan. This may provide veterans with an increased leave accrual!

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a life science discipline, higher education administration, counseling, or a related field
• Minimum three (3) years of professional experience in higher education, advising, program coordination, or a related student-facing role
• Demonstrated experience to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism, and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member of VCU
• Experience managing databases, tracking systems, or program data
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in higher education, life sciences, public health, or a related field
• Established professional networks within the Richmond-area life sciences, sustainability, healthcare, or government sectors
• Experience managing partnership agreements, MOUs, or contracts
• Experience collaborating with development or alumni relations offices
• Experience using Handshake or a similar career services management platform
• Experience with program assessment, data analysis, or reporting in a higher education setting

Salary Range: $70,000 to $80,000

Benefits: All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.

FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt

Restricted Position: No

ORP Eligible: Yes

Flexible Work Arrangement: On Site

Contact Information: 
Contact Name: Rima Franklin
Contact Email: rbfranklin@vcu.edu