Job Description

Position Summary

The Student Success Specialist shall provide support to students from enrollment through graduation by providing leadership and maintaining an effective counseling program. The Student Success Specialist will adhere to the policies as specified by the Alabama Community College System Board of Trustees and the Drake State Community and Technical College Faculty and Staff Handbook. 

Salary:  Appropriate placement on the Alabama Community College System Board of Trustees

Salary Schedule E2, Grade 2

Salary Range $50,680 - $68,169 (12 months, Exempt). 

Work Hours : 8:00 am - 5:30 pm Monday - Thursday and 8:00 am - 12:00 pm Friday

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: The Student Success Specialist shall perform the duties as specified in conformity with policies established by the Alabama Community College System Board of Trustees and the J.F. Drake State Community and Technical College Faculty and Staff Handbook. 

• Academic Coaching and Advising
  
  
  
  • Assist students in setting and achieving academic and career goals
  
  
  • Provide proactive advising to ensure students meet program requirements and timelines
  
  
  • Ensure that students are advised and registered correctly using platforms such as TargetX, Banner, and DegreeWorks
  
  
  • Identify and support at-risk students through early intervention strategies
  
  
  • Oversee and administer the Orientation to College (ORI101) and Professional Transition (BSS220) courses each semester
  
  
  • Oversee and Administer the iStart Strong New Student Orientation each semester
  
  


• Career Development and Services
  
  
  
  • Provide career counseling to explore career options and develop career action plans
  
  
  • Assist students with resumes, interview preparation, and job search strategies
  
  
  • Organize career fairs, employer visits, and on-campus recruitment events
  
  
  • Build partnerships with businesses to enhance internship and employment opportunities.
  
  


• Student Retention and Engagement
  
  
  
  • Develop programs and workshops to improve student engagement, retention, and persistence
  
  
  • Host workshops on study skills, time management, career readiness, and other pertinent topics each month
  
  
  • Foster meaningful relationships with students to understand and address their challenges
  
  


• Resource Connection
  
  
  
  • Serve as the ADA point of contact, coordinating accessibility services for students
  
  
  • Connect students to tutoring, counseling, admissions, financial aid, and other campus resources
  
  
  • Collaborate with faculty, staff, and community organizations to expand support networks
  
  
  • Connect students to community resources
  
  


• Data Tracking and Reporting
  
  
  
  • Track and monitor student progress using platforms such as TargetX, Banner, and DegreeWorks
  
  
  • Maintain accurate records of career services activities and employment outcomes of students
  
  
  • Analyze retention and success data to identify trends and inform decision-making
  
  
  • Prepare reports on student success initiatives
  
  


• Collaboration and Outreach
  
  
  
  • Act as a liaison between students, faculty, staff, and employers
  
  
  • Support new student orientation, career readiness events, and recruitment initiatives
  
  
  • Engage in community outreach to promote the college and its workforce development programs
  
  


• Administrative Duties
  
  
  
  • Serve on institutional committees as assigned
  
  
  • Stay abreast of new trends, best practices in the delivery of quality retention 
  
  
  • Demonstrate an effective level of technological knowledge, skills, and abilities
  
  
  • Initiate, maintain and assure teamwork among all college units 
  
  
  • Ensure and facilitate the appropriate, orderly and timely flow of information from units within the student success area to the Dean of Students
  
  
  • Demonstrate ethical behavior, loyalty, honesty, and integrity with all colleagues
  
  
  • Establish rapport and maintain a positive working relationship with administrators, faculty, staff, students and community agencies
  
  
  • Retain and submit documentation as requested to support accreditation efforts
  
  
  • Perform other work-related responsibilities as assigned by the Dean of Students and/or President
  
  

Job description may be modified or altered at any time by management.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with emphasis in education, counseling, psychology, social work, student development or related field 


• Two (2) years of experience in academic advising, career counseling, or student support services in higher education.


• Proficient in Microsoft Suite, and administrative computing systems


• Demonstrated ability to diagnose and develop Support Plans for a diverse student population


• Demonstrated exceptional listening, verbal, written, organizational and interpersonal skills

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with emphasis in education, counseling, psychology, social work, student development or related field 


• Experience with retention programs 


• Documented experience in testing data interpretation and analyses 


• Experience with retention data collection and reporting


• Experience in DegreeWorks, TargetX, and Banner

DESIRED PROFILE:

Preference will be given to candidates who can demonstrate through their experiences and accomplishments:

• Understanding of and commitment to the philosophy and mission of a community and technical college


• Sensitivity and commitment to cultural diversity


• Ability to handle multiple tasks and various situations in a calm and professional manner


• Commitment to teaching and learning, where recent high school graduates, adult students, and non-traditional students are involved.

Application Procedures/Additional Information

Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications and must submit a complete application packet through the NEOED on-line application system to be considered. A complete application consists of the following:

• An on-line application


• Current resume


• Copy of college transcripts (Transcript must confirm applicant meets educational requirements.)

Application materials must provide documentation that the applicant meets all minimum qualifications.

Background Check Requirement

In accordance with Alabama Community College System Policy and guidelines, the applicant chosen for employment will be required to sign a consent form and agree to a criminal background check. Employment will be contingent upon the receipt of a clearance notification from the criminal background check.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications as indicated on this vacancy notice and must submit a completed application packet in order to be considered for this position. Complete application files must be received no later than the application deadline. Applicants who fail to submit all required information will be disqualified. Only applications received during the open period of this announcement will be considered. Applicants must travel at their own expense. Finalists will be required to provide official transcripts that are mailed directly to the Office of Human Resources at Drake State Community and Technical College from the institution(s) granting the credits.

All applicants must have an on-line and completed application packet by the deadline date. All applications received will be screened and interviews scheduled by appointment only. All applicants must adhere to the College’s prescribed interview schedule and must travel at their own expense. Applicants must demonstrate written proficiency in English as part of the on-campus interview process. Drake State Community and Technical College is an active participant in the Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify). E-Verify electronically confirms an employee’s eligibility to work in the United States as required by the Department of Homeland Security.

Drake State Community and Technical College is an equal opportunity employer. It is the official policy of the Alabama Community College System, that no person shall, on the grounds of race, color, disability, gender, religion, creed, national origin, or age, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program, activity, or employment. Drake State will make reasonable accommodations for qualified disabled applicants or employees. Drake State reserves the right to withdraw this job announcement at any time prior to awarding. Drake State compiles information about safety and security and publishes an annual report. This report can be found on the website by accessing the crime and safety report link. The link can be found on the Drake State home page by clicking the “About Drake State” tab and then selecting the “Campus Security Report” link. A copy can also be obtained by contacting the Director of Operations at 256-551-5210.

The College reserves the right to fill the position within (120) days of the job announcement stated closing date or to not fill the position due to budgetary or operational considerations. Further, the College reserves the right to fill more than one position in the same job classification should another vacancy occur during the search process.

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