Academic Coach, Veterans Student Support Services

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Gainesville (FL); On-site; USD 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Santa Fe College seeks a TRIO Academic Coach for the SERVE program in Gainesville, FL. The role focuses on advising, mentoring, and supporting veterans and first-generation students to improve persistence and graduation outcomes.

Responsibilities include recruiting participants, guiding course selection, maintaining student records, and collaborating with SF and University partners. A bachelor’s or associate’s degree is required, with preferred master's and related experience.

Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor’s degree in education, psychology, social work, or related field, or an associate’s degree with two years TRIO experience.
• Must have a valid Florida driver’s license and pass a background check.
• Master’s degree and three years of related experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Identify, recruit, and select eligible participants for the SERVE program.
• Provide academic and career advisement, coaching, and mentoring to students.
• Maintain accurate records of student progress and program data.
• Coordinate with SF departments and University partners.
• Deliver outreach through classes and events.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Communication

Organization

Multitasking

Education

Bachelor's degree in education, psychology, social work, or related field

Associate's degree in education, psychology, social work, or related field

Master's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Compensation

$43,931.00 Annual

Job Description Summary

The application deadline for this position is 11:59pm EST on September 2, 2026.

Student Support Services (SSS) at Santa Fe College (SF) is aprogram designed to help students succeed by assisting them innavigating the different aspects of college life. SERVE for VeteranStudents is one of the Federal TRIO programs funded by the U.S.Department of Education to identify and provide services tostudents from disadvantaged backgrounds. SF’s SERVE program isdesigned to identify, select, enroll, retain, serve, and assistveterans who are low-income, first-generation college students,and/or individuals with disabilities to increase retention,graduation, and transfer rates of SF students who meet the programeligibility requirements.

*This position is funded by either a grant or another donor-fundedsource external to the college. Should the funding provided bythese special sources be reduced or eliminated, employees will begiven as much notice as possible.

Job Description

Responsibilities and Duties Include:

• Collaborates with the Coordinator to identify, recruit, andselect eligible participants, adhering to student eligibility asper the program.
• Provides ongoing academic and career advisement, coaching, andmentoring, which includes assisting students in choosing careerpaths, programs of study, classes, and colleges to supportpersistence, retention, and completion.
• Facilitates academic guidance, tutoring, study skillsdevelopment, financial assistance and literacy, and transferpathways, which includes assisting students with completingtransfer applications and financial aid forms.
• Tracks, monitors, and maintains accurate records of studentacademic progress with periodic checks of transcripts and othermaterials.
• Responds to at-risk reporting with appropriate studentoutreach, referral, and follow-up.
• Facilitates supplemental instruction, including programming inCANVAS, arranges transfer and cultural visits, and developsresources for program students.
• Assists the Coordinator with budget and program supportresponsibilities as needed.
• Partners with the Coordinator and applicable staff inconducting research related to project evaluation and assists withproviding assessment data for annual reports, consultant visits,and grant submissions.
• Provides outreach to students through class presentations,college events, and other initiatives, some of which may includenight and/or weekend commitments.
• Develops and maintains professional relationships professionalrelationships with SF departments, University of Florida, andcommunity constituents.
• Works closely with peers and internal departments toeffectively and holistically serve program students.
• Engages in ongoing professional development to maintaincurrency in the field.
• Keeps a record of operating procedures and may share positionspecific knowledge, including use of collegewide ERP and relatedsystem processes, by providing guidance on standard operations andestablished departmental procedures as needed.
• Provides service to the college through participation inevents, committees, and other college activities.
• Complies with all published College Rules, procedures,guidelines, and laws/regulations governing public employees,including but not limited to those related to document retentionand destruction, FERPA, and confidentiality.
• Strictly honors the privacy, security, and confidentiality ofrecords and other sensitive information according to appropriatestate, federal, and college regulations, policies, andprocedures.
• Provides service excellence through courteous, informed,accessible, and professional engagement.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required: A bachelor's degree in education, psychology,social work, or a related field OR an associate's degree ineducation, psychology, social work, or a related field and two (2)years of experience as a TRIO Academic Coach; one (1) to two (2)years of experience in TRIO, SSS, Student Affairs, or similarprograms targeting Veteran students; demonstrable familiarity withmilitary experiences.

Additional Requirements: A criminal background check will beconducted. Applicants must have a valid Florida Class E Operator(driver’s) license and be authorized to drive for thecollege.

Preferred: A master's degree in education, psychology,social work, counseling, or a related fields with three (3) yearsof professional experience. Demonstrated success in overcomingbarriers similar to those of the project's target population orexperience in working with this population; case management,educational advising, recordkeeping, documentation, and projectevaluation experience; strong communication skills andtechnological skills.

General Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to work successfully in a multi-culturalenvironment.
• Adaptability to Change – able to be flexible and supportive,able to positively and proactively assimilate change in rapidgrowth environment.
• Analytical Aptitude & Problem Solving - able to analyzeinformation, problems, situations, practices and/or procedures,collect and interpret data, reason logically, establish facts,identify and define existing and potential issues, recognize theinterrelationships among elements, draw valid conclusions, developrecommendations, as well as alternative courses of action, selectappropriate course, follow up, and evaluate.
• Communication – able to effectively communicate in aprofessional, diplomatic, empathetic, and tactful manner usingpreferred method and level as applicable to the job.
• Critical Thinking & Judgement - able to make well-reasoned,sensible, and timely decisions based on careful, objective reviewand informed analysis of available information, considerations, andother factors.
• Customer Service – ability to respond promptly and courteouslyto all questions from students and faculty, demonstrating patienceand persistence when helping students with little or no computerskills.
• Ethics – able to demonstrate integrity, professionalism,civility, and a high degree of ethics in all job-relatedactions.
• Organization & Time Management – able to plan, schedule,and organize tasks related to the job to achieve goals within orahead of established time frames.
• Problem Solving – proven skills in identifying issues,determining their cause, developing creative solutions, andfollowing through with implementing resolutions.
• Relationship Management – able to personally provide high levelof interactive service to others, building relationships andaddressing identified needs.
• Results Orientation – proven ability to set and exceedestablished targets.
• Systems & Software - proficient level of knowledge ofMicrosoft Office and/or relevant position software programs.
• Detail Oriented - Proven accuracy and attention todetail.
• Multi-task - Ability to expeditiously organize, coordinate,manage, prioritize, and perform multiple tasks simultaneously toswiftly assess a situation, determine a logical course of action,and apply the appropriate response.

Santa Fe College (SF) is committed to maintaining a work andeducational environment that embraces diversity and where no memberof the college community is excluded from participation in, deniedthe benefits of, or subject to discrimination in any collegeprogram or activity based on: their race, ethnicity, nationalorigin, color, religion, age, disability, sex, pregnancy status,gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, geneticinformation, political opinions or affiliations, or veteran status.This commitment applies to employees, volunteers, students, and, tothe extent possible, to third parties, applicants for admission,applicants for employment, and the general public. sfcollege.edu/eaeo

Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies or concerns aboutdiscrimination or harassment, including concerns about sexualharassment or sexual violence under Title IX, should be directedto: [e-mail]

Santa Fe College reserves the right to extend deadlines and/or notto offer advertised positions. Preference will be given to eligibleveterans and spouses of veterans.