Lead Academic Completion Specialist

Enterprise State Community College; Lincoln (AL); On-site; USD 47,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Drake State Community and Technical College is seeking a Lead Academic Completion Specialist to lead a team, mentor staff, and coordinate onboarding and professional development. You will collaborate with Workforce Development and Adult Education to ensure seamless advising for non-credit and credit students, driving retention and completion.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree, proven academic advising experience, strong communication, data reporting skills, and the ability to handle

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.
• Documented experience in academic advising.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to analyze ambiguous information and respond appropriately.
• Experience in group presentations.
• Ability to handle highly confidential information with diverse individuals.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and internet capabilities.
• Excellent collaboration and teamwork abilities.
• Strong listening, writing, organizational and detail-oriented skills.

Responsibilities

• Serve as lead advisor for the Academic Completion Specialist team with mentorship and training.
• Coordinate onboarding and professional development for staff.
• Monitor advising practices to improve student engagement and completion.
• Collaborate with Workforce Development and Adult Education for seamless pathways.
• Coordinate advising across departments to support enrollment, retention and transitions.
• Assist with PLA processes converting non-credit into credit per policies.
• Build relationships and provide student-centered advising and mentoring.
• Provide direct program guidance from pre-admission to graduation.
• Help students develop individualized academic plans aligned with goals.
• Maintain regular communication and monitor academic progress.
• Intervene early using the college’s alert systems for student challenges.
• Assist with accessing campus resources and support services.
• Foster accountability and timely completion of educational goals.
• Consult with faculty on student progress and intervention strategies.
• Assist with orientation, admissions activities, and success initiatives.
• Coordinate workshops and presentations on success topics and PLA opportunities.
• Collect and analyze retention and completion data for reporting.

Skills

Academic advising

Interpersonal communication

Group presentations

Microsoft Office

Attention to detail

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s Degree (regionally accredited)

Tools

Banner

Degree Works

CRM Software

Job description

The Lead Academic Completion Specialist provides leadership and guidance to the Academic Completion Specialist team while delivering comprehensive academic advising and student success services. This position trains and mentors Academic Completion Specialists, collaborates closely with the Workforce Development Department to ensure seamless advising for non-credit and credit students, and supports student retention, persistence, and completion through proactive advising and coordinated student support.

SALARY

Salary Schedule: E3 Grade 3

Salary Range $47,029- $65,218 (12 months, Non-Exempt)

Salary step placement is based on experience per Drake State's practice for awarding salary step credit (Continuation of position is contingent upon grant funding).

Work Hours

8:00 am - 5:30 pm Monday - Thursday and 8:00 am - 12:00 pm Friday

• Serve as the lead advisor for the Academic Completion Specialist team by providing guidance, mentorship, training, and ongoing support to Academic Completion Specialists to ensure consistent, high-quality advising services.
• Develop, coordinate, and facilitate onboarding and professional development opportunities for Academic Completion Specialists, including training on advising best practices, student success initiatives, institutional policies, technology systems, and customer service standards.
• Monitor advising practices and provide recommendations to improve student engagement, persistence, and completion outcomes.
• Work collaboratively with the Workforce Development and Adult Education Departments to ensure seamless advising, enrollment, and transition pathways for students enrolled in non-credit workforce training and Adult Education programs who seek to continue into credit-bearing certificate and degree programs.
• Coordinate advising processes between Workforce Development, Adult Education, and Student Services to support enrollment, retention, completion, career advancement, and successful transition of students into academic credit programs.
• Assist the Workforce Development, Adult Education, and Instructional Departments with Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) processes by helping in evaluating the conversion of eligible non-credit workforce training, industry-recognized credentials, certifications, and documented experiential learning into academic credit, in accordance with Alabama Community College System policies and institutional procedures.
• Build positive relationships with students and provide comprehensive, student-centered academic advising and mentoring.
• Provide direct, comprehensive program guidance to assigned students from pre-admission through graduation.
• Assist students in developing individualized academic plans that align with their educational and career goals.
• Maintain regular communication with assigned students through phone, email, virtual platforms, in-person meetings, and other approved communication methods to monitor academic progress and provide encouragement and support.
• Monitor student academic progress through the College's early alert system and intervene proactively with students experiencing academic or personal challenges.
• Assist students in identifying and accessing appropriate campus resources, including tutoring, disability services, counseling, financial aid, career services, and other student support services.
• Foster student accountability, academic success, persistence, and timely completion of educational goals.
• Consult and collaborate with faculty, academic departments, and student support personnel regarding student progress and intervention strategies.
• Assist with New Student Orientation, registration, admissions activities, and student success initiatives each semester.
• Coordinate and conduct workshops and presentations on academic success topics, including study skills, time management, goal setting, self-advocacy, college success strategies, PLA opportunities, and pathways from non-credit to credit programs.
• Collect, analyze, and maintain data related to student retention, persistence, graduation, transfer, completion, PLA participation, and non-credit-to-credit transitions to support institutional effectiveness and grant reporting requirements.
• Prepare and submit required reports accurately and within established deadlines.
• Participate on institutional committees, task forces, recruitment events, and student success initiatives as assigned.
• Maintain professional conduct and confidentiality in accordance with institutional policies and applicable federal and state regulations.
• Maintain accurate student records and documentation within Banner, Degree Works, CRM systems, and other institutional databases.
• Continue professional development through participation in professional organizations, conferences, workshops, and training to remain current on advising practices, student success strategies, PLA policies, and workforce education initiatives.
• Retain and submit documentation as requested to support accreditation, grant administration, compliance, and institutional reporting.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Dean of Students and/or the President.

Job description may be modified or altered at any time by management.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of an earned Bachelor’s Degree from a regionally accredited institution
• Documented experience in academic advising
• Demonstrated interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to effectively analyze ambiguous information and respond appropriately
• Experience in group presentations
• Ability to process and maintain highly confidential informationAbility to work effectively with individuals of varying backgrounds, abilities, outlooks, ages, and nationalities
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and Internet capabilities
• Excellent collaboration skills and ability to work as a member of a team
• Demonstrated exceptional listening, verbal, written, organizational, interpersonal skills, and attention to detail.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Membership in an advising organization such as NACADA
• Documented evidence of experience in Personal, Social, and Vocational Counseling/Student Development or related field
• Experience with Banner, Degree Works, and CRM Software
• Knowledge of the programs of study offered at the College

DESIRED PROFILE

• Understanding of and commitment to the philosophy and mission of a community and technical college
• Sensitivity and commitment to cultural diversity
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and various situations in a calm and professional manner
• Ability to work well under pressure and deadlines
• Commitment to teaching and learning, where recent high school graduates, adult students, and non-traditional students are involved

Background Check Requirement

In accordance with Alabama Community College System Policy and guidelines, the applicant chosen for employment will be required to sign a consent form and agree to a criminal background check. Employment will be contingent upon the receipt of a clearance notification from the criminal background check.

Drake State Community and Technical College is an equal opportunity employer. It is the official policy of the Alabama Community College System, that no person shall, on the grounds of race, color, disability, gender, religion, creed, national origin, or age, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program, activity, or employment. Drake State will make reasonable accommodations for qualified disabled applicants or employees. Drake State reserves the right to withdraw this job announcement at any time prior to awarding. Drake State compiles information about safety and security and publishes an annual report. This report can be found on the website by accessing the crime and safety report link. The link can be found on the Drake State home page by clicking the "About Drake State" tab and then selecting the "Campus Security Report" link. A copy can also be obtained by contacting the Director of Operations at 256-551-5210.

The College reserves the right to fill the position within (120) days of the job announcement stated closing date or to not fill the position due to budgetary or operational considerations. Further, the College reserves the right to fill more than one position in the same job classification should another vacancy occur during the search process.