Student Service Specialist/ COSER - Merritt

College Information

Peralta/College Information

Merritt College

Merritt College is a public, comprehensive, two-year college, maintained by the Peralta Community College District in Alameda County. With a comprehensive day and evening program of transfer, technical, occupational and basic skills education, the College is committed to meeting the educational needs of the diverse student population it serves.

Located on a 125-acre site in the hills of East Oakland, Merritt College combines modern, spacious facilities with a spectacular view of the entire Bay Area. An integral part of a large, busy urban community, the location provides a sense of tranquility and peace.

Position Information

Job Title Student Service Specialist/ COSER - Merritt

Time Base 40 Hours/Week 12 Months/Year

Compensation Salary Range: $ 5,654.78 - $7,229.38/mo. Hiring Range: $5,654.78 - $ 6,246.00 /Mo - The maximum initial placement is Step 3 depending on experience

Position Type Classified

Department Mathematics (652)

City Oakland

State CA

Job Description Summary

Under direction, performs professional work in the analysis, research, and preparation of reports in a broad range of student services areas. Performs COSER and Rising Scholars related as required. (This class differs from other program and staff-related classes in its requirement of professional-level skills, knowledge, and abilities relative to assigned areas of responsibility in student services. In particular, this position differs from the Staff Assistant/Student Services position in the breadth of programs supported and the knowledge required. Positions within this class will only be assigned at the College level. This position is 100% grant funded. Continued employment is contingent upon refunding of the position)

Duties & Responsibilities

Any one position may not include all of the duties listed nor do listed examples include all tasks which may be found in positions of this class. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty of the position satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions required for the position.

• Serves as a technical resource person performing project assignments in support of formerly incarcerated students on campus and currently incarcerated students at the John A. Davis Juvenile Hall at 202 Glacier Dr. in Martinez.
• Identifies, enrolls and offers services to eligible formerly incarcerated students and currently incarcerated students; prepares reports for the Office of Instruction; and maintains a working knowledge of County, State and Federal regulations pertaining to the provision of educational benefits to formerly incarcerated or currently incarcerated students.
• Monitors and maintains formerly incarcerated and currently incarcerated student program operational budgets, COSER budgets including personnel action forms, requisitions, supply invoices, etc.
• Coordinates and interfaces with vendors and consultants to help ensure successful execution of events, activities and programs; maintains project-related databases.
• Drafts correspondence for signature by the Vice President of Instruction and Division 1, 2, and 3 Deans.
• Provides support in the professional development of counselors, instructional faculty, and classified staff. May assist students and the Counseling Department by making appointments for counseling using the available scheduling tools and software
• Updates and/or proposes content enhancements/revisions to assigned student services websites, handouts, brochures, catalogs, handbooks, and documents, for COSER and Rising Scholars program as directed.
• Responsible for the maintenance of complex records. Establishes and maintains file tracking systems, databases, records, and other documents resources for multiple student services areas.
• Serves as liaison among faculty, classified staff, representatives of community agencies, high schools and colleges, the general public, the Street Scholars program coordinator, Division Deans and the Vice President of Instruction. Relays messages, answers questions, clarifies information, responds to requests, and resolves problems, as directed.
• Monitors and tracks budget allocations and expenditures in the Street Scholars Rising Scholars Juvenile Justice program and the COSER program. Assists with budget preparation, maintains budget files, and prepares reports and records concerning department/program budgetary activities for management.

Other Functions

• Coordinate and organize a wide variety of college-related events including those within carceral facility partners.
• Independently travel to the Juvenile Hall and/or other carceral facilities to provide face-toface services to currently incarcerated students.
• Develop and recommend any modification to improve department performance, efficiency and effectiveness.
• May assist with MIS reporting for student services.
• Performs a variety of analyses utilizing social science methodologies.
• Prepares reports with recommendations for action.
• Prepares policy and procedures manuals.
• Prepares analyses indicating potential fiscal impact of actions taken.
• Solves a variety of problems encountered in the course of performing assigned duties.
• Assists in the preparation of the budget for multiple student services program areas.
• Interfaces with a variety of agencies and organizations in the performance of assigned duties; serves as a public face for the College.
• Performs other related duties as required

Minimum Qualifications

1. Graduation from an accredited college or university and two years of college-level student services administrative support experience and/or any combination of training and experience that could likely provide the desired knowledge and abilities.
2. Demonstrated proficiency in the effective use of word processing, spreadsheet, database management, and presentation software programs (e.g. MS Office Suite programs), Internet and online administrative systems through personal computers.
3. Ability to independently set up, monitor and track budgets and prepare reports.
4. Ability to organize and work independently
5. Knowledge and ability to apply proper English usage, grammar, and punctuation.
6. Understanding of, sensitivity to and respect for the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability and ethnic backgrounds of Peralta Colleges’ students, faculty, staff and community.
7. Valid California’s Driver License

Desirable Qualifications

● Knowledge of:

• reentry barriers due to impacts of the criminal justice system
• concepts, techniques, procedures, and policies applicable to community college student services areas
• best practices in trauma informed care
• administrative and office procedures and practices
• research and analytical methods

Ability to:

• work with formerly incarcerated student populations
• evaluate effectiveness of functions and operations
• develop and evaluate alternatives for possible courses of action
• prepare detailed reports and recommendations