STUDENT DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST

University of Texas - Rio Grande Valley; Edinburg (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley seeks a Student Development Specialist to lead outreach, recruit students, and coordinate student support services across campus and partner sites.

The role provides counseling on admissions, financial aid, housing, and academic planning, while guiding students toward success and completion through structured programs and interventions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university.
• Two years of experience in education or service-related agency.
• Exceptional planning and organizational skills.
• Willingness to travel and work some weekends as required.

Responsibilities

• Organizes and conducts program outreach and recruitment activities on and off campus in support of program enrollment goals.
• Creates and delivers presentations and other print and online materials to support enrollment and program goals.
• Counseling of prospective students regarding program requirements, admissions, scholarships, financial aid, housing, student life, and registration.
• Meeting with assigned students to provide college readiness and success support, including coaching and goal setting.
• Coordinates student services with university departments to aid academic and personal development.
• Recommends and develops programs to support student retention, success, and completion.

Skills

Program outreach

Recruitment

Student counseling

Public speaking

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree (preferred)

Job description

STUDENT DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST

Posting Number: SRGV9218

Number of Vacancies: 1

Location: Edinburg, Texas

Department: College Access & K-12 Partners

FLSA: Exempt

Scope of Job

Responsible for providing program outreach, recruitment andcoordinating student support services to assigned population.

Description of Duties

• Organizes and conducts program outreach and recruitmentactivities on and off campus in support of program enrollmentgoals.
• Creates and delivers presentations and other print and onlinematerials to support enrollment and program goals.
• Responsible for counseling of prospective students, regardingprogram requirements, procedures, including but not limited to,programs of study, admissions, scholarships, financial aid,housing, student life, and registration.
• Responsible for meeting with assigned students to providecollege readiness and success support, which may includeproblem-solving strategies, academic and career advising, coaching,and short- and long-term goal setting.
• Coordinates student services with other university departmentsto aid students with academic and personal development.
• Recommends and develops programs and/or initiatives to supportstudent retention, success, and completion.
• Listens to student concerns and inquiries and providessolution-oriented recommendations and makes appropriate on-campusand community referrals as necessary.
• Utilizes various assessment tools such as career interestsinventories, educational surveys, and institutional questionnairesin support of the advising process.
• Plans and organizes seminars, workshops, and presentationsdesigned to engage student populations over topics relevant totransition and success in higher education (i.e., pre-collegepresentations, first-year sessions, financial literacy, financialaid, life skills etc.) as specified in the program'sobjectives.
• Ensures programs objectives are met by collecting requireddata, tracking student progress and recommending timelyinterventions.
• Compiles reports throughout the year and submits to programdirector for evaluation.
• Collaborates with university stakeholders/partners to promotethe goals and objectives of the assigned program.
• Coordinates program informational sessions for variousaudiences such as parents, school district personnel, communityagencies, and other college access partners.
• Interprets and maintains knowledge of current federal, state,and institutional policies and procedures pertaining to assignedprogram, admissions, financial aid & scholarships.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Supervision Received

General supervision from assigned supervisor.

Supervision Given

May supervise other assigned staff.

Required Education

Bachelor's degree from an accredited university.

Preferred Education

Master's degree from an accredited university.

Licenses/Certifications

N/A

Required Experience

Two (2) years of experience working within an education orservice-related agency performing closely related duties.

Preferred Experience

Experience obtained in Higher Education

Equipment

Use of standard office equipment.

Working Conditions

Needs to be able to successfully perform all required duties.Office Environment; some periods of frequent travel and weekendwork is required. General office conditions with the majority oftime spent in contact with students. UTRGV is a distributedinstitution, which may require presence at multiple locationsthroughout the Rio Grande Valley.

As part of their essential duties, employees in these roles areexpected to maintain a consistent, in-person presence on campus attheir assigned locations. Limited exceptions may apply forpositions that are approved as hybrid or fully remote in accordancewith UTRGV policies.

Other

Exceptional planning and organizational skills.

Physical Capabilities

N/A

Employment Category

Full-Time

Minimum Salary

Commensurate with Experience

Posted Salary

Commensurate with Experience

Position Available Date

10/27/2026

Grant Funded Position

Yes

If Yes, Provide Grant Expiration Date

09/24/2030

EEO Statement

It is the policy of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley topromote and ensure equal employment opportunities for allindividuals without regard to race, color, national origin, sex,age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity orexpression, genetic information or protected veteran status. Inaccordance with the requirements of Title VII of the Civil RightsAct of 1964, the Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972,Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americanswith Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, our University iscommitted to comply with all government requirements and ensuresnon-discrimination in its education programs and activities,including employment. We encourage women, minorities anddifferently abled persons to apply for employment positions ofinterest.

Additional Information

UTRGV is a distributed location institution and working location issubject to change based on need.

All UTRGV employees are required to have a criminal backgroundcheck (CBC). Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Substitutions to the above requirements must have prior approvalfrom the VP of HR & Talent Development .