Student Support Specialist (52532)

New Mexico Highlands University; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 46,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

New Mexico Highlands University is seeking an organized administrator to support NMHU students and collaborate with multiple offices to meet their needs. This role handles student records with strict confidentiality and communicates effectively with students and staff.

The position involves advising and coordinating with Financial Aid, Registrar, Admissions, and other offices to resolve student issues, while supporting recruitment and office operations. Travel is required as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Two years higher education admin experience preferred.
• Willingness to travel and valid Driver's License required.

Responsibilities

• Support Business Office, Financial Aid, Registrar, and advisement functions.
• Maintain accurate records while ensuring confidentiality.
• Maintain timely communications with students via phone, email, and social media.
• Advocate for students and liaise with multiple university offices.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Customer service

Office management

Confidential data handling

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Word

Excel

Publisher

PowerPoint

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: Rio Rancho, NM 87124

Position Type: Full Time -Reg

Education Level: Bachelor's Degree

Salary Range: $45,510.40 - $63,077.57 Salary

Travel Percentage: Up to 50%

Job Category: Staff

Description

SUMMARY:

The incumbent in this position shall provide excellent customerservice in supporting the needs of all NMHU students and workclosely with other employees and students in a collegial,cooperative environment as well as comply with all NMHU policiesand regulations. This position will work with general studentrecords and must be able to perform all duties in a professionalmanner and maintain confidentiality of all University and studentrecords. Additionally, this position serves as an advisor/liaisonto proactively work with NMHU front line offices to solve studentissues related, but not limited to: Financial Aid Scholarship,Human Resources, Registrar, Admissions, Graduate, Business Office,and Center (as necessary) matters.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Operations/Office Management:

• Utilize Internet Native and Self-Service Banner on a regular basis to process necessary actions to support Business Office, Financial Aid, Registrar, and advisement, etc. functions.
• Support recruitment efforts;
• Maintain accurate records of student and prospective studentinteractions while maintaining student record confidentiality inaccordance with federal regulations;
• Maintain timely, positive communications between the university, students, and prospective students via telephone, email, socialmedia, etc.;
• Advocate for students and serve as liaison to multiple functionalareas of the university;
• Engage in professional development activities;
• Maintain regular attendance;
• Perform other job related duties as assigned.

Financial Aid & Scholarships:

• Support students with scholarship application procedures anddeadlines;
• Support student needs related to Consortium Agreements withvisiting institutions;
• Support VA Certifying Official in the coordination andmaintenance of VA files, as necessary;
• Participate in Office of Financial Aid and Scholarshipsdepartmental meetings, as necessary.

Admissions & Recruitment:

• Understand, advise, and process, as necessary, new studentapplications for admission, transcript requests/submissions,etc.;
• Support NMHU recruitment efforts;
• Participate in Office of Admissions and Recruitment departmentalmeetings, as necessary.

Registrar:

• Assist new students in accessing and utilizing Self-ServiceBanner, student email, Degree Audit, and navigating the NMHUwebsite online docs, etc.;
• Understand, advise, and coordinate, student registration, appeals, VA paperwork, applications for degree, transcriptrequests/submissions, pre-requisites, permission requirements,etc.;
• Coordinate with Registrar on student record updates;
• Participate in Registrar departmental meetings, asnecessary.

Advisement:

• Advise transfer students on transfer process, basic transferevaluation, educational options, and program articulation ortransfer agreements, and refer students to the appropriate facultymember, Chair, or Dean, when necessary;
• Support academic programs in student progress;
• Understand and advise on MOUs and articulation (transfer)agreements with partner schools;
• In coordination with faculty advisor, assist students withappropriate paperwork such as course substitutions, programs ofstudy, orals packets, independent studies, etc.
• Participate in academic program departmental meetings, asnecessary.

QUALIFICATIONS

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be willing to travel;
• Must have a valid Driver’s License;
• Must be available for Notary certification, as necessary;
• Must be willing to work overtime, evenings, and weekends, asrequired.

Preferred Qualifications:

• EDUCATION: Baccalaureate Degree in any discipline. Baccalaureatedegree may be substituted with a minimum of five years’ experiencein at least two of the functional areas listed in DUTIES &RESPONSIBILITIES.
• EXPERIENCE: Two (2) years’ higher education experience inadministrative work.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:

• Demonstrate respect for all individuals and sensitivity tocultural and language differences;
• Knowledge and proficiency withMicrosoft Office (Word, Excel, Publisher, PowerPoint etc.);
• Knowledge of basic mathematics and statistics;
• Knowledge ofapplicable university policies and procedures;
• Considerable knowledge of English, grammar, and spelling withexcellent proof reading skills;
• Ability to work with sensitive, confidential data, andrecords;
• Knowledge of general office practices and procedures;
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships;
• Skilledtypist and knowledge of proper telephone etiquette;
• Ability to create presentations and communicate both orally andin writing at a high level;
• Ability to utilize independent judgment;
• Ability to work with minimal direction and supervision;
• Ability to exercise patience and maintain composure duringstressful situations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Repetitive hand motions and prolonged use of computer.
• Must occasionally lift and/or move up to forty (40) pounds.
• Sitting for extended periods of time.
• Kneel, bend, reach, andstoop.
• Walking for extended periods of time.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Work is performed in a typical interior/office work environment.
• Work with frequent interruptions