"Retention Specialist"

Job Description

Centralia College and the Chehalis school district are engaged in a cutting edge, nationally recognized effort to raise the percentage of high school graduates earning a degree after high school. One aim of this effort is to create a model that can be adopted in Washington state and beyond. The Centralia College Retention Specialist is a key piece in this effort. The Specialist is dedicated to supporting W.F. West High School students in their transition to and success at Centralia College. This role involves providing high-quality counseling and targeted support to new and continuing students, including first-generation and re-engaged adult students. The Retention Specialist will build strong relationships with students, assist with college preparation, and promote student retention. Regular collaboration with Chehalis School District counselors and visits to W.F. West High School are key components of the role. In the following roles and responsibilities, the term 'students' refers only to W.F. West graduates. This position will report directly to the Centralia College Assistant Director of Student Success and communicate regularly with the CSD Student Achievement Specialist.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Summer Bridge Program: Coordinate the Summer Bridge program to help W.F. West students acclimate to college life before their first term. In collaboration with faculty, provide opportunities for students to engage with the college community, explore academic expectations, and build early support networks to ease their transition. Serve as a key point of contact for students navigating the transition to higher education.
• Student Retention: Build meaningful connections with students, providing direct support throughout their academic journey. Proactively reach out to students who are struggling or at risk of discontinuing enrollment, offering guidance and resources to encourage persistence and success.
• Student Re-engagement: Perform outreach to students who have discontinued their enrollment. Help these students re-engage with the college, offering support and guidance to ease their transition back into academic life.
• High School Student Relationship Building: Establish meaningful connections with current W.F. West High School students to inform them on Centralia College program opportunities and to assist in their transition to Centralia College. Serve as a primary contact for student questions and concerns, ensuring they have consistent access to guidance and support.
• Collaboration with Chehalis School District: Attend regular meetings with Chehalis School District counselors and SAI staff to align support strategies and share insights on student progress. Collaborate on initiatives that support student achievement and ensure consistent communication between high school and college staff.
• Support for First-Generation College Students: Provide tailored advising and support to first-generation college students, helping them navigate the unfamiliar world of higher education. Ensure they have access to the resources they need for academic and personal success.
• Data-Driven Advising: Coordinate with Centralia College and the BERC Group to organize and analyze student data, including retention, academic performance, and engagement metrics. Use these insights to continuously improve advising strategies and share results with key stakeholders.
• Teamwork: Participating in broad Centralia College Student Success departmental efforts for all students that are aligned with programs offered to Chehalis students in which the specialist has expertise and experience.
• Holistic Student Support (Non-Academic Needs): Provide holistic support, addressing both academic and non-academic challenges (financial, personal, social, and emotional). Use culturally responsive practices in advising and support, recognizing and addressing the unique cultural backgrounds and experiences of students.
• Career Advising and Pathway Planning: Offer guidance on career pathways and employment opportunities by collaborating with career services and local employers. Supporting students in aligning their academic plans with career goals enhances engagement and retention, especially for students in two-year programs.

Mindset Skills

• Self-Starter: Demonstrate initiative in managing advising duties and proactively connecting with students, staff, and community partners.
• Networking and Communication Skills: Comfortable building relationships with students, high school counselors, faculty, and community partners to create a comprehensive support network.
• Commitment to Student Success: Passionate about supporting all students by providing personalized guidance and support.
• Organizational and Analytical Skills: Capable of managing multiple responsibilities and analyzing student success metrics to inform advising strategies.
• Empathy and Active Listening Skills: Demonstrate empathy and active listening in interactions with students, recognizing that emotional support is key to building trust. Research supports that empathetic, relationship-focused advising fosters student persistence and motivation.
• Growth Mindset and Resilience: Encourage a growth mindset in students, helping them view challenges as opportunities for development. The advisor should model resilience, promoting the idea that setbacks are part of the learning process, which is key to student retention.
• Commitment to Equity and Inclusion: A deep commitment to fostering equity and inclusion by ensuring all students, regardless of their background, receive the support they need to succeed. Research emphasizes that inclusive environments where students feel valued can significantly impact retention.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in education, counseling or related field AND successful professional experience with student recruitment and retention in educational programs OR equivalent education/experience.
• Proven ability to work with individuals and groups of students from diverse academic, cultural and economic backgrounds in higher education
• Demonstrated excellence in verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work occasional evening, weekends and travel overnight
• Ability to use computer software programs

Additional Desired Qualifications

• Experience with Learning Communities or Peer Mentoring Programs: Experience working with or creating learning communities or peer mentoring programs. These support systems are proven to increase student engagement and retention by building a sense of belonging and support among students.
• Knowledge of Financial Aid Processes: Understanding of financial aid processes and common financial challenges faced by community college students. Financial aid literacy can play a crucial role in helping students stay enrolled and manage their educational costs.
• Experience with Technology in Advising: Familiarity with technology-based advising tools such as Student Information Systems (SIS), early alert systems, or degree planning software. Research shows that technology-enhanced advising improves efficiency and enhances the support provided to students.
• Crisis Intervention Experience: Experience in crisis management and providing support for students facing personal or academic crises. This is critical, as students often need quick, compassionate intervention when facing overwhelming challenges.
• Spanish Fluency: Many students and families are primarily Spanish-speaking and fluency with the language will help in outreach efforts.

Conditions of Employment

This is a twelve (12) month per year, full-time professional technical overtime eligible exempt position. The salary is $47,050 - 53,500 (DOQ/DOE) annually depending on the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate. The state of Washington provides a comprehensive benefits package for state employees. The position may participate in the TIAA/CREF retirement system.

DEADLINE:The screening committee will begin their first review on January 6, 2025. Position is open until filled.

Compensation

Annual Salary: $47,050 - 53,500 (DOQ/DOE)

Application Process

Interested candidates may apply by submitting the following items:

• Online Application
• Cover Letter that addresses your interest in the position and ability to perform the responsibilities described in this announcement.
• Detailed résumé of all educational and professional experience that demonstrates how you meet the qualifications.
• List of at least three professional references with contact information. References are typically contacted after interviews.

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