"Student Services Specialist"

Description

Southwestern College Cares is a program within the Student Affairs Division that centralizes basic needs support for students enrolled at Southwestern College. Students can access food, clothing, hygiene, shelter, transportation, and basic housing needs. The program is located at the Chula Vista campus, as well as each of the three Higher Education Centers in National City, Otay Mesa, and San Ysidro. Southwestern College Cares partners with several community-based social service organizations to provide referrals and additional access to basic needs resources.

Southwestern College Cares is experiencing a high volume of basic needs students who are in need of individual resource appointments. The program currently operates with two Student Services Specialist. Despite interventions to streamline the resource appointment process, specialist are currently booked up to four months in advance, delaying the opportunity for students to access basic needs resources.

Qualifications

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Any combination equivalent to: two (2) years of college with major course work in business or related field AND Three (3) years of increasingly responsible experience in a student services area involving frequent student contact.

LICENSE OR CERTIFICATE

Valid California drivers license and a safe driving record may be required for some positions to drive a District or personal vehicle to attend meetings or pick up/deliver documents or other materials.

One year of experience is equal to 12 months of experience at 40 hours per week. Applicable part-time experience will be converted to the full-time equivalent for purposes of meeting the experience requirement.

If specifically referenced (i.e. degree 'or equivalent'), related experience that is above the minimum requirement may be substituted for education on a year for year basis.

Additional assessment is required for applicants with foreign degrees from colleges or universities outside of the United States. Applicants must have their coursework evaluated by a professional association that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) and must submit a copy of the evaluation with the application.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience working with individuals experiencing basic needs insecurity, including access to food, clothing, hygiene, shelter, transportation, and basic housing needs.
• General understanding of the principles, practices, and procedures of maintaining privacy and confidentiality related to Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA).
• Knowledge and understanding of Trauma-Informed Care and its application with community college student populations.
• Basic understanding of Student Affairs support programs, e.g., First Year Experience/Second Year Experience (FYE/SYE), Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS), Disability Support Services (DSS), California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKS), Personal Wellness Services (PWS), Health Services, SWC Cares (Basic Needs), Financial Aid, Student Equity Programs and Services, and other related programs.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations including applicable sections of the State Education Code and other legal requirements related to area of assignment.
• Principles and practices used to establish and maintain files and information retrieval systems.
• Basic research methods and techniques.
• Basic mathematical concepts.
• Principles and techniques used in public relations including methods and techniques of proper receptionist and telephone etiquette.
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience, and courtesy.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary.
• Oral and written communication skills.
• Referral agencies, services, and departments on and off campus may be required for some assignments.

Ability to:

• Perform a full range of technical, program support, administrative, and clerical duties involving the use of independent judgment and personal initiative.
• Understand, interpret, apply, and ensure compliance with administrative and office policies and procedures as well as pertinent laws, regulations, and ordinances.
• Use technical concepts and basic program management tools and techniques to effectively coordinate a program area and solve complex problems in creative and effective ways.
• Perform a full range of technical, program support, administrative, and clerical duties involving the use of independent judgment and personal initiative.
• Respond to requests and inquiries from students, staff, or the public; effectively present technical information in person or on the telephone to students, staff, or the public.
• Research, compile, analyze, and interpret data.
• Independently compose and prepare routine correspondence and memoranda.
• Implement and maintain filing systems.
• Compile information and write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals using correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary.
• Use sound judgment in recognizing scope of authority.
• Exercise good judgment and discretion in analyzing and resolving confidential, difficult, and sensitive situations.
• Establish, review, and revise office work priorities.
• Plan, organize, and assign work to meet schedules and changing deadlines.
• Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.
• Work under steady pressure with frequent interruptions and a high degree of public contact by phone or in person.
• Work effectively with minimal supervision.
• Work with and exhibit sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse racial, ethnic, disabled, sexual orientation, and cultural populations of community college students.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

JOB DESCRIPTION: Student Services Specialist

Duties

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

1. Coordinate assigned aspects of the assigned student services program area; coordinate with other departments and program areas; ensure compliance with program requirements.
2. Assist in the planning, design, and implementation of program elements that support service delivery; participate in processes to define scope and schedule of services and activities; participate in implementation processes.
3. Participate in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for assigned program areas; research, implement, and administer policies, procedures, and changing business practices and processes for assigned area; develop and maintain handbooks, forms, and related policies and procedures.
4. Perform a full range of technical, program support, and clerical duties in support of assigned student services program area.
5. Plan, organize, schedule, and conduct orientations, workshops, seminars, class presentations, tours, meetings, and other activities related to assigned program area; arrange and confirm speakers; reserve facilities and make other necessary arrangements.
6. Provide technical information and assistance regarding area of assignment to students, staff, and the general public; interpret and explain program applications, policies, procedures, requirements, and restrictions; develop promotional and informational materials for distribution on and off campus; maintain assigned resource material and library.
7. Verify and review materials, applications, records, files, and reports for completeness and conformance with established regulations and procedures; apply applicable policies and procedures in determining completeness of applications, records, files, and reports; collect and process appropriate information.
8. Compile and tabulate statistical data; compile information from various sources and prepare appropriate forms, schedules, and reports; list, abstract, or summarize data; input and review data and prepare special and periodic reports related to an assigned project and/or program area including state and federally mandated reports; verify accuracy, completeness, and compliance to rules, procedures, regulations, policies, and other mandates.
9. Establish and maintain records including student records; maintain complex, interrelated filing systems including confidential files; collect, compile, and record narrative, statistical, and financial data and other information; research and verify information as requested.

Supplemental Information

SALARY SCHEDULE: CSEA - Classified Bargaining Unit

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

This is a non-telecommuting position.

Environment: Work is performed primarily in a standard office setting with frequent interruptions and distractions; extended periods of time viewing computer monitor; possible exposure to dissatisfied individuals.

Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard; to verbally communicate to exchange information; and to occasionally travel to other offices or locations to attend meetings or to pick up or deliver materials.

Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction.

Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

For more information, please contact Irene Castaneda at icastaneda@swccd.edu or 619-421-6700 ext. 5863 or the Office of Student Services at 619-421-6700 ext. 5808.