Student Services Specialist – CTE Programs

UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ; Elizabeth (NJ); On-site; USD 47,700 - 58,300; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage

Twenty vacation days

Tuition remission for credit courses

Gym privileges

Job summary

UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ is seeking a Student Services Specialist for its CTE Programs. This full-time role supports the success of students by advising and coordinating services. Candidates should possess a Master's Degree and experience in college counseling. The position offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical and tuition remission.

Applicants should be proactive with excellent communication skills and demonstrate a strong commitment to student engagement and retention strategies.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree required in Higher Education or related fields.
• Two years’ experience in college counseling or academic advising preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support the academic success of CTE students.
• Coordinate CTE programming and workshops.
• Provide academic advisement and develop action plans.

Skills

Outstanding customer service and communication skills

Proficient in Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)

Strong interpersonal skills

Analytical and problem-solving skills

Ability to collaborate with others

Education

Master’s Degree in Higher Education or equivalent experience

Job description

Student Services Specialist – CTE Programs

Campus: Elizabeth
Department: Advising, Career, and Transfer
Employment Status: Full Time
Funding: Grant

General Description

The CTE Student Services Specialist supports the academic success of Career Technical Education (CTE) students enrolled in targeted academic programs. The Specialist provides proactive and intentional advisement, connects students to program services, experiential learning experiences, and career resources. Responsibilities include developing academic, career, and transfer plans; using an early warning process; conducting biweekly visits to CTE classes to encourage student engagement and ensure academic progress; researching, coordinating, and facilitating transfer and career workshops; meeting with CTE faculty to review student progress; organizing engagement activities and field trips; and teaching the CTE section of the UCC 101 College Success course. The Specialist collaborates with the Dean of Elizabeth Campus to support the implementation of grant projects and achieve grant objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate CTE/Perkins project programming, workshops, and industry speaker panels.
• Research, develop, and implement strategies to meet Perkins grant priorities related to experiential learning, student retention, engagement, transfer, career planning, and advisement.
• Provide specialized advisement on experiential learning opportunities such as internships, externships, and job acquisition.
• Assist students with the registration process, including academic advising, financial aid assistance, and guidance on registration and payment completion.
• Assist students with Union portal access, Self‑Service, college e‑mail, tuition/fee payment instructions, and scholarship opportunities.
• Develop academic and individual action plans to guide students toward on‑time graduation.
• Teach the CTE/Perkins section of the UCC 101: College Success course.
• Implement student retention strategies and programs.
• Maintain data on students served and services provided.
• Maintain project files for reporting.
• Provide reports on activities and data as needed.
• Collaborate with staff, faculty, and administrators to assess project activities and implement needed adjustments.

Education Requirements

Master’s Degree required in Higher Education or a Master’s degree with sufficient experience to demonstrate core competencies.

Experience

• Two (2) years’ experience in college counseling and academic advising or equivalent preferred.
• Experience with Title V Grant, EOF, or related cohort‑based programs working directly with students.

Competencies and Skills Required

• Outstanding customer service and communication skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).
• Strong interpersonal skills to interact tactfully and courteously with students, the general public, faculty, and other staff.
• Quick learner who can grasp policies and procedures related to student services rapidly.
• Analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Initiative to solve problems.
• Ability to collaborate with others.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Duties performed in a typical interior/residence work environment.
• Occasional lifting or moving up to 25 pounds.
• No or very limited exposure to physical risk.
• Some travel required.

Salary

$53,000

Terms of Employment

Full-time, grant‑funded position with flexible scheduling. Evening, weekend, and extended hours may be required. Travel on short notice to on‑ and off‑campus sites as needed. Primary residency in New Jersey required within one year of appointment unless an exemption applies. Funded through the Perkins Higher Education Grant at Union College of Union County, NJ. Responsibilities focus on programs and services for students in Career and Technical Education (CTE) Programs, developing and implementing retention strategies and meeting Perkins Grant goals.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package for full‑time faculty and staff including Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage; twenty vacation days; ten paid holidays; a ten‑week summer work schedule; gym privileges; tuition remission for credit and non‑credit courses at UCNJ; and tuition reimbursement for an approved degree program at an accredited college or university.

Equal Opportunity Employer

UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination, as required by state and/or federal law, in all programs and activities, including employment and access to its career and technical programs. UCNJ is an EEO/AAP Employer/Protected Veteran/Disabled.

Disclaimer

This job description outlines the general nature and key features performed by positions sharing the same job classification. It is not comprehensive and does not restrict management’s right to assign or re‑assign duties to this job at any time due to reasonable accommodations or other business reasons.