Student Success Outreach Retention Specialist
Job Description
Position Summary
DEFINITION
Under the supervision of the appropriate student services administrator, the incumbent is to perform a variety of outreach and retention, professional, clerical, technical and student services related functions and may serve as a point of contact with students and local school districts, which may include concurrent/dual enrollment programs such as College NOW, and pre-college populations.The incumbent will work with student service and instructional faculty and staff to ensure student success while valuing and promoting the missionand vision of the college.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
Under minimal supervision, the incumbent will perform a variety of outreach, preparatory work and planning requiring considerable judgment in the interpretation and application of policy and procedures. The incumbent will provide support for district outreach programs, admissions and records operations, assessment ,counseling, and student services and support programs. The incumbent may be directed to focus primarily on outreach or retention, or the incumbent may be asked to perform a combination of outreach and retention functions based on district need. Public contact is extensive and requires a close working relationship with admissions and records, financial aid assessment, instructional and student services for the purpose of exchanging procedural information and to advise and retain students.
Essential Functions and Qualifications
1. Assess and determine the academic needs of the student and guide them to available services and support programs.
Assess and determine the academic needs of the student and guide them to available services and support programs.
Organize and maintain communication between student services and other campus sites and high schools; serve as a liaison between students and faculty and to area schools for the purpose of facilitating student transitions to AHC credit and noncredit programs and student retention.
Assist students with promise steps and enrollment activities such as admissions, placement test, academic advising workshops, and new student orientation.
Disseminateimportant information, documents, materials, and publications and track these when necessary.
Maintains knowledge of AHC guidelines and program requirements; conveys college rules, regulations, policies, and academic options with students to help facilitate student academic success.
Responsible for developing professional relationships with students that foster support and collaboration.
Advise students on enrollment, academic and/or progress probation policies.
Work with student services departments and programs to provide options, referrals, and alternative solutions for students who currently are facing obstacles and challenges; collaborate with other district departments to provide wrap-around services for students.
Develop and compile documentation and/or reports; reconcile daily work.
Work with Early Alert Counselor to develop and implement retention plans to ensure student success and initiate an early alert system.
Work with faculty to identify students whose behaviors indicate a lack of academic success strategies, and refer students for academic skills assistance, including tutoring, counseling, and/or career guidance.
Evaluate student needs objectively, fairly, and consistently and make proper recommendations to counseling faculty.
Research and implement the findings of current trends and best practices regarding student outreach and/or retention; develop retention strategies for the college, and work closely with faculty and staff in implementing, evaluating, and improving retention strategies.
Plans, arranging, and scheduling, meetings, workshops, and events relating to AHC Promise and Probation
Assist in starting and/or completing financial aid applications and forms such as; FAFSA, Dream Act, appeal forms and or making appropriate referrals as needed.
Guide prospective students in the completion of the AHC admissions application which includes Concurrent Enrollment, College Now registration processes.
Develop outreach/retention media, materials and presentations for college related events.
Represent the college at on and off campus student outreach events.
Facilitate scheduling appointments for students to meet with counselors as needed.
Train and assist students in setting up and navigating the Hancock student portal and student email.
Serve on related committees as assigned.
Perform other related duties as assigned.
Knowledge of:
The importance of the mission and philosophy of community college;
Principles of good customer service;
Excellent communication skills;
Office management techniques and organizational skills with emphasis on records management;
Working knowledge of advising and retention strategies to enhance student completion and success;
Written business communications including word/information, processing applications and production;
Correct English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation;
Electronic data storage and management systems for file records;
ADA laws and regulations;
Working with diverse adult learning styles;
Bilingual in English/Spanish.
Demonstrated ability to:
Maintain professional integrity, confidentiality, respect, and other ethical standards;
Actively listen and understand the needs of students;
Plan, organize, and complete assigned work independently and within established time deadlines;
Understand and carry out oral and written directions;
Organize workload and establish priorities with attention to detail and accuracy;
Learn and interpret specific rules, law, and policies and apply them with good judgment in a variety of procedural situations;
Operate a computer and perform clerical and technical work with accuracy and speed;
Establish and maintain office records and files;
Compose and proofread correspondence independently;
Handle confidential student information with tact, discretion and in compliance with FERPA regulations.
Working Conditions:
The incumbent will experience frequent interruptions while performing normal duties; completing highly detailed work with a high rate of accuracy.
Work off campus at other satellite locations.
May include evening and Saturday work as the semester and/or program changes.
Duties are primarily performed in an office environment, at a desk or at a computer.
The incumbent will have contact in person, by email, and by phone with staff, students, and the general public.
Physical Demands:
Typically may sit for extended periods of time.
Operates a computer.
Communicates over the telephone, by email and in person.
Regularly lifts, carries, and/or moves objects weighing up to 10 pounds.
Special Qualification:
A sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds of staff and students and to staff and students with disabilities.
Minimum Qualifications
Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s degree required in a related field with coursework in psychology, sociology, social work, counseling, education, OR higher education administration with 2 years of experience working with students with diverse backgrounds and experiences OR any equivalent combination of training and experience. Bilingual English/Spanish required.
Additional Information
This position will support incarcerated, formerly incarcerated and justice involved students to reach their educational goals. As the outreach and retention specialist working with this population, it will be helpful for candidates to understand and have a good working knowledge of the processes, procedures, and requirements of justice related programs. This position will be required to enter carceral facilities and will be required to complete additional background clearances to enter those facilities including but not limited to the North County Jail, Santa Maria Juvenile Hall, and FCC Lompoc.
The desired start date is March 2025. This is a full-time, 37-hour-per-week, 12-month classified position. This position is categorically funded and is contingent upon continuous funding.
Hours for this position are: Monday & Tuesday 9:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Wednesday & Thursday 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
To be considered as a candidate for this position, please submit your application and the following materials through our website no later than February 9, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.:
- A cover letter
- A current and complete resume of education and professional experience.
Allan Hancock College provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
Hancock College will not sponsor any visa applications.
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