Institutional Talent & Collegiate Liaison

The Texas Railway Preservation Association (TRPA) is seeking an Institutional Talent & Collegiate Liaison. Reporting directly to the Volunteer Coordinator & Engagement lead, you are the primary talent scout for our "Apple Garage" phase.

Your mission is to bridge the gap between Houston’s elite educational pipelines and the TRPA’s industrial mission. You will recruit the next generation of leaders—welding specialists, law students, and business undergraduates—who view the TRPA as a prestigious proving ground before they transition into global corporations. You aren't just finding volunteers; you are architecting career-defining opportunities for the future workforce of Texas.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Talent Scouting: Identify and cultivate relationships with Houston-area trade schools, welding institutes, and universities (UH, Rice, TSU, etc.) to recruit specialized skill sets.
• Collegiate Pipeline Development: Act as the primary recruiter for pre-graduate students in Law, Business, and Engineering, positioning TRPA as a high-fidelity "Leadership Lab" for their resumes.
• Career Alignment: Work with recruits to ensure their TRPA sorties align with their future corporate goals, helping them document their impact for future recruiters at Fortune 500 companies.
• Organization Outreach: Represent the TRPA at collegiate career fairs, leadership seminars, and professional student organizations (e.g., ASME, ABA Student Division, Business Honors Societies).
• Workforce Diversification: Secure a steady stream of specialized labor—from master welders in training to junior policy researchers—to ensure the SP 982 restoration has the "Elite Human Capital" it requires.

Professional Requirements

• The "Headhunter" Mindset: Exceptional networking skills; you know how to navigate university departments and speak the language of corporate-bound students.
• Brand Ambassadorship: Ability to project the TRPA’s "Industrial Power" aesthetic to attract high-performers who are bored with standard volunteer opportunities.
• Logistical Precision: Strong organizational skills to manage a rotating pipeline of students and interns across multiple disciplines.
• Professional Authority: A presence that commands respect in both a welding shop and a Dean’s office.
• Mission Alignment: A belief that industrial preservation is the ultimate training ground for modern leadership and technical excellence.

The TRPA Advantage

You are the gatekeeper of the TRPA's "Future Leaders" program. You have the unique opportunity to build a network of the brightest young minds in Houston, helping them launch their corporate careers while securing the talent needed to bring a 200-ton legend back to life. You are building the legacy of the people who will build the future of Texas.

Join the TRPA. Engineer the Pipeline.