Retention/Advising Specialist

Enterprise State Community College; Montgomery (AL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Trenholm State Community College seeks a Retention and Advising Specialist to support student success through proactive advising, academic support, and at‑risk outreach. You will develop programs with faculty and student services to promote retention and degree completion.

Reporting to the Director of the Student Success Center, this role emphasizes collaboration, data-driven evaluation, and timely referrals to campus resources.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
• One year of experience in education, student personnel, counseling, human services, or related field.
• Self-motivated with leadership/management skills and ability to work with students, faculty, staff and the public.
• Ability to communicate with a diverse audience and articulate programs to internal/external stakeholders.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Strong time management, organizational, and critical thinking skills.
• Knowledge of and experience with a culturally diverse student population.
• Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment with interruptions.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate academic progress by completing comprehensive needs assessments and developing individual academic plans.
• Monitor at-risk students and coordinate with faculty to provide interventions.
• Coordinate outreach and initiatives for new and at-risk students.
• Establish an early alert system for faculty to identify struggling students.
• Evaluate retention programs and help develop new strategies for improving retention.
• Review retention data to identify trends and barriers to progression.
• Coach students to overcome barriers toward degree completion and refer to appropriate offices.
• Refer students to relevant student support units and follow up on referrals.
• Conduct workshops to build essential academic skills.
• Assist the Director in implementing academic support services for retention and success.
• Build relationships with college counselors, faculty, and staff to share up-to-date policies.

Skills

Cultural sensitivity

Multitasking

Time management

MS Office (Word/PowerPoint/Excel)

Automation familiarity

Regulatory understanding

Customer service

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

The Retention and Advising Specialist provides proactive academic support services to students in achieving their academic goals. This position works collaboratively to provide resources and initiatives in the areas of advising, academic support, and at-risk student outreach to support retention and degree completion. The position will develop, coordinate, and facilitate activities and programs in conjunction with instructional and student services units that will help ensure the retention and success of students. The Retention and Advising Specialist reports to the Director of the Student Success Center. (Continuation of position is contingent upon grant funding)

Salary Schedule- E3-04

Essential Job Functions, Duties, & Responsibilities:

1. Facilitate students' academic progress by completing comprehensive individual needs assessments and developing individual academic plans; review grades and transcripts; monitor satisfactory academic progress, make referrals to appropriate campus resources as necessary.
2. Monitor academic progress of students who are identified as at-risk, who are on Student Success Plans for probation and Financial Aid SAP. Work with the student, faculty, and other academic support offices to offer resources and interventions that enhance success.
3. Coordinate outreach efforts and other Student Success Center initiatives for new and at-risk students.
4. Establish an early alert communication system for faculty to identify students whose behaviors indicate a lack of academic success strategies.
5. Evaluate services to determine impact of retention efforts and assists with the development of new and refined strategies for maximizing student retention.
6. Review retention data to identify common trends and barriers impacting student progression and work collectively to strategize pathways for success.
7. Coach students through barriers that prevent them from progressing towards completion of their degree; refer them to appropriate offices for assistance as needed.
8. Assess and anticipate students' problems and needs; refer students to appropriate student support units and conduct follow-up on all referrals.
9. Conduct workshops to assist students in developing essential skills for academic success.
10. Assist the Director in implementing academic support services to enhance student retention and success.
11. Initiate and maintain effective working relationships with college counselors, faculty and staff to provide current information to students, facilitate students’ understanding of College policies and procedures, and to advocate for students.
12. Adhere to the regulations and guidelines of the Title III program grant and maintain accurate records for institutional and federal reporting purposes.
13. Attends staff meetings; serves on committees; submits monthly and quarterly reports; develops communication and strategies for retention of students.14.
14. Perform all other duties as assigned by the Director of the Student Success Center and Dean of Student Affairs & Information Services

Required Minimum Qualifications:

1. Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
2. One year of experience in education, student personnel, counseling,human services, or related field.
3. Requires self-motivated individual with demonstrated leadership and management skills who enjoys working with students, faculty, staff and the general public.
4. Ability to communicate with a diverse audience and articulate programs in the college to both internal and external audiences.
5. Ability to work as an effective team member
6. Strong time management, organizational, and critical thinking skills

Required, Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

1. Knowledge and experience working with a culturally diverse student population.
2. Ability to prioritize and simultaneously manage multiple projects and work in a fast-paced environment with regular interruptions and multiple competing demands.
3. Excellent time management skills.
4. Advanced experience with technology including proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
5. Ability to function in an automated work environment.
6. Ability to comprehend and interpret rules, regulations, policies, laws, and guidelines.
7. Excellent customer service skills; including the ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with students, colleagues, and staff.

Physical Requirements:

1. Ability to lift up to 40 lbs.
2. Prolonged sitting and standing at times.
3. Some overnight travel involved.
4. Valid driver’s license and ability to travel independently.
5. Ability to work with large groups.
6. Ability to travel to different campuses.
7. Must be willing and available to work flexible hours. May require some evening hours and activities at all campus locations.
8. Ability to effectively communicate by using PC, telephone, and written media.

WORK EXPERIENCE VERIFICATION

Neither a resume nor an application is appropriate verification of work experience. It is not our policy to contact current and/or previous employers to obtain employment verification. “Work experience verification is required in writing from your current and/or previous employer(s) confirming the required level of experience as stated in the “Minimum Qualifications” section and other related experience. Verification should include dates of employment and position title(s). Proof of work experience verification may be delayed until an official offer of employment using the Work Experience Verification form, which is found on the Human Resources home page. All work experience verification must be completed within 15 days following the employment offer.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Complete application files will be accepted by the Office of Human Resources on a continuous basis and remain active for one year for available positions. Incomplete application packets will eliminate the possibility of a position opportunity.

EEOC, E-VERIFY, BACKGROUND CHECK STATEMENTS:

Trenholm State Community 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. Trenholm State Community College will make reasonable accommodations for qualified disabled applicants or employees.

Trenholm State Community College reserves the right to withdraw this job announcement at any time prior to the awarding. More than one position in the same job classification may be filled by the applicants for this position should another vacancy occur during the search process. Any offer of employment is contingent upon a satisfactory criminal background investigation. The applicant will be responsible for the cost of the criminal background investigation.

This employer participates in E-Verify.