Student Services Specialist/Social Worker

Union County College is a public comprehensive community college providing quality, affordable, accessible educational programs that serve the greater Union County region. It is the oldest of New Jerseys 19 Associate Degree Colleges, serving both career-minded and transfer-oriented students since 1933. The College enrolls almost 30,000 credit, non-credit and continuing education students and is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Many programs lead to the Associate in Arts, Science and Applied Science degrees.

Campus: Cranford

General Description:

The Student Services Specialist/Social Worker is responsible for consulting with students in crisis campus-wide and coordinating and making necessary referrals to community resources. The position reflects a College and Divisional commitment to increase the awareness of mental and physical health conditions by communicating with staff, parents, and students in order to help facilitate student success. This position will work in close collaboration with the Dean of Students and Coordinator of Services for Students with Disabilities, as well as Public Safety, and the campus CARE team in conjunction with Trinitas Regional Medical Center in order to effectively consult with students who have complex mental and physical health challenges in order to coordinate off campus referrals as needed, crisis services, and ensuring appropriate level of care is provided.

In addition to Social Worker responsibilities, the Student Services Specialist is responsible for resolving registration issues related to advising, testing, and any other registration related issues. Student Services Specialist offers the unique advising capabilities to students seeking career advice or guidance for transfer or dual/joint admission programs. The Specialist develops programs to address student retention goals and supporting student workshops. The Specialist measures, and may develop measurements for, student learning and outcomes.

Characteristics, Duties and Responsibilities:

• Consult with students who have complex mental and physical health challenges and coordinate off campus referrals for necessary resources.
• Coordinate appropriate level of treatment for students in crisis with Trinitas Regional Medical Center and/or other necessary referring agencies.
• Consults and communicates with staff, students, and parents, or designated emergency contacts and assigned key campus partners regarding appropriate services, access, and care for students.
• Serve as the referral coordinator and provide referrals to necessary resources off campus.
• Maintain and sustain campus food pantries and devise methods of food acquisition for the pantry.
• Provide linkage for students to various social services; including cash assistance (TANF), food stamps, housing, utility assistance, occupational training, Medicaid, and child support resources.
• Develop and provide outreach programs (e.g. presentations, trainings, seminars, and workshops) on mental health related topics for faculty, staff, and students.
• Develop and provide campus training activities on the topics of drug and alcohol awareness, VAWA, and crisis intervention.
• Maintain current procedures for assisting students in crisis. This includes ensuring that all department and college staff are trained in crisis management procedures.
• Serve on campus CARE team.
• Provides proactive academic advising for the FTFT cohort including transfer advising.
• Provides academic advising to students including transfer articulation and dual/joint admissions agreements.
• Develops student learning/development outcomes measures for Advising and Student Development goals and objectives; collects appropriate data; and completes assessments of results assigned; recommends modifications to existing services based on outcomes.
• Prepares reports and studies containing findings and recommendations for the review, information, and assistance of the student service division.
• Serves on ad hoc committees as required.
• Provides data on area usage and materials needed for the unit budget.
• Maintains records/data regarding services as directed.
• Performs related responsibilities as assigned by supervisor or designee.

Education Requirements:

- Master's Degree in Social Work required.
- LSW certification is preferred.

Experience:

- Two (2) years' experience in college counseling and academic advising or equivalent preferred.

Competencies and Skills Required:

- Two (2) years' experience in college counseling and academic advising or equivalent preferred.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

- This position's duties are normally performed in a typical interior/residence work environment, based on the activity scheduled.
- Some physical effort required; however, the employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
- No or very limited exposure to physical risk.
- Some travel required.