Student Support Specialist

University of Colorado System; Colorado Springs (CO); Hybrid; USD 45,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous time off

Health coverage

Retirement benefits

Tuition benefits

Wellness programs

Job summary

University of Colorado Colorado Springs seeks a Student Support Specialist to provide crisis support, case management, and advocacy for students. You will coordinate CARE Team activities, manage a caseload, and help connect students with campus resources.

The role emphasizes risk assessment, crisis intervention, and support for diverse populations, with opportunities to contribute to student wellbeing and retention initiatives at UCCS.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university is required.
• Professional or para-professional experience working with college students (minimum: 1 academic year in a professional position or 2 years in a student employment position).
• Professional or para-professional experience with supporting students in crisis.
• Master's Degree in student affairs, higher education, counseling, or similar field is preferred.
• Familiarity with case management software (Maxient preferred).
• Ideal candidate will have trainings or certifications related to risk assessment, crisis response, suicide prevention, case management, de-escalation, trauma-informed practices, and/or supporting diverse populations.

Responsibilities

• Provide risk assessment and crisis support to students referred to the CARE Team.
• Manage personal caseload with minimal supervision and support on-campus students.
• Coordinate administrative tasks for CARE Team meetings and ensure proper follow-up documentation.
• Assist in data collection and reporting for CARE Team activities and investigations.
• Represent the Office of the Dean of Students on standing or ad hoc committees and support campus events.

Skills

Risk assessment

Crisis response

Case management

De-escalation

Trauma-informed practices

Student success/retention

Diversity & inclusion

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Master's Degree (preferred)

Tools

Maxient

Job description

Student Support Specialist

Office of the Dean of Students

Elevate Your Career at UCCS: Innovate, Inspire, and Impact inthe Rockies!

Who We Are

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs(UCCS) is a premier educational institution that prides itself on academic excellence, research, and community engagement and is actively seeking a Student Support Specialist to join our team! UCCS is committed to academic excellence, professional development, and fostering an environment that supports innovation and student success.

At the base of the Rocky Mountains, Colorado Springs is captivated by its stunning landscapes, making it a paradise for nature lovers. This city is more than its scenery—a mosaic of history, arts, and a vibrant tech scene. We invite you to join a community that cherishes outdoor adventure as much as forward-thinking growth, an exceptional setting for both career and lifestyle.

Salary Range : $44,729.00 - $57,715.00 Compensationwill be commensurate upon experience and qualifications.Thisposition is Exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)overtime provisions.

Work Location: On-Site/Hybrid

Benefits at a Glance

At UCCS, our employees are our most valued asset. We're proud to offer:

• Generous Time Off : Enjoy 22 vacation days, 10 sick days, paidparental leave, 13 recognized holidays, and provisions forbereavement, jury duty, and FAMLI Leave.
• Robust Health Coverage : Our comprehensive medical plans coverpreventative care at no cost, including a yearly mental healthvisit. Plus, benefit from affordable dental, vision plans, andcompetitive prescription drug prices.
• Financial & Retirement Benefits : Take advantage of ourhealth savings, flexible spending accounts, and life and disabilityinsurance. Plan for your future with our retirement options.
• Further Your Education : Avail twelve (12) waived credits peracademic year for courses at any CU campus. We invest in youreducational and professional growth.
• Wellness & More : From wellness programs aimed at achievingyour best self to various additional benefits through CU Advantage,we prioritize well-being and holistic development.
• Want to know your total compensation? Use our calculator to get thecomplete picture!

Summary

The Office of the Dean of Students cultivates student successthrough student support and advocacy, educational opportunities,and the promotion of personal accountability and empowerment. TheOffice of the Dean of Students' addresses issues of students'safety and wellbeing, and we support all students in times ofchallenge and crisis.

Primary responsibilities for this positions include: riskassessment for incoming referrals, administering academicwithdrawal process for students with extenuating circumnutates,implementing interventions determined by the CARE Team, providingsupport and case management services to non-crisis referrals andsupporting CARE Team administrative operations.

This position is dependent on the availability of funding. Fundingis currently expected to last 3 years.

Essential Functions

The duties and responsibilities of the position include, but arenot limited to:

Student Support (55%)

• Serve as a departmental representative of the CARE Team.
• Provide administrative support to CARE Team meetings, includingbut not limited to taking case management notes and providingappropriate follow-up documentation.
• At the direction of CARE Team, respond to students in crisis.This may include providing resource referrals, academicsupport/planning, communicating with faculty, on-going wellbeingcheck-ins, communicating with concerned family members, andensuring students receive proper follow ups.
• Manage personal caseload with minimal oversight fromsupervisor.
• Manage low-concern CARE Team cases related to students livingon-campus.
• Provide case management services to students who areexperiencing difficulties that may include, but are not limited to:academic performance, physical and/or psychologicalhealth/wellness, as well as interpersonal relationships. Thisfunction involves assisting students as they navigate variousUniversity offices and processes; consulting with and gatheringinformation from internal and external resources to support theholistic wellbeing of students; advocating for students and theirneeds to campus constituents; and properly documenting all caseinteractions.

Academic Withdrawals (30%)

• Manage most, if not all, academic withdrawal requests throughthe Office of the Dean of Students.
• Assist students facing extenuating circumstances through thelate or retroactive withdrawal process and referring the student tovarious support measures on and off campus.
• Assess all incoming withdrawal requests for urgent/emergentfactors that may require escalation.
• Collect and compile data related to the academic withdrawalprocess.
• Provide feedback and suggestions on how to improve the processoverall.
• Recommend academic withdrawals decision to both supervisor andcollege specific Associate Deans.
• Assists students in determining reentry strategies after theirimmediate crisis/emergency is resolved.

Office Support and Administration (15%)

• Assess student complaints for appropriate referral within theOffice of the Dean of Students or to campus partners.
• Provide immediate support to walk-in concerns, assessing forurgent/emergent needs, deescalating when appropriate, and providingnext-step solutions to students.
• Assist in the data collection and assessment for CARE Teamreport preparation.
• Represent the Office the Dean of Students on various standingor ad hoc committees as assigned.
• Support campus wide events such as orientation andcommencement.
• Other duties as assigned

Tentative Search Timeline

• Priority will be given to applications submitted by:10/04/2026
• Potential interview dates: 10/09/2026 - 10/16/2026
• Potential start date: 11/01/2026

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with allapplicable federal, state, and local laws governingnondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect anddignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds toapply, including protected veterans and individuals withdisabilities.

In accordance with the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, UCCS does notdiscriminate based on sex in our employment or compensationpractices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university isrequired.
• Professional or para-professional experience working withcollege students (minimum: 1 academic year in a professionalposition or 2 years in a student employment position).
• Professional or para-professional experience with supportingstudents in crisis.
• Master's Degree in student affairs, higher education,counseling, or similar field is preferred.
• Familiarity with case management software (MaxientPreferred)
• The ideal applicant will have professional trainings orcertifications related to risk assessment, crisis response, suicideprevention, case management, de-escalation, trauma- informedpractices, and/or assessment, student success and retention, orsupporting diverse populations.

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs has implemented amizconduct history check program with respect to final candidates for specific appointments. The misconduct history check program is intended to allow UCCS to collect and review information about a candidate's conduct at their previous institutions, specifically conduct related to sexual misconduct, harassment, and/or discrimination – before making hiring decisions. All final candidates to these appointments are required to complete an Authorization to Release Information and provide contactinformation for their previous institutions.