Student Support Specialist (Program Specialist 2)

Greater Spokane Incorporated; Spokane (WA); On-site; USD 43,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

Community Colleges of Spokane is seeking a detail-oriented Student Support Specialist (Program Specialist 2) to coordinate specialized student support and funding programs. You will review applications, verify eligibility, and process awards while maintaining accurate records and collaborating with campus and external partners.

You will provide program information to students, refer them to campus resources, and help navigate complex requirements, ensuring compliance and timely assistance.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or higher from an accredited institution.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Experience interpreting policies and procedures based on government regulations.
• Excellent student-centered customer service, organizational skills, and attention to detail.
• Experience working with student/client records.
• Intermediate to advanced skills with Microsoft Office products.

Responsibilities

• Review student applications for Worker Retraining, WorkFirst, BFET, Passport to Careers, Opportunity Grant, Early Achievers Grant, SEAG, SSEH, and related programs.
• Determine whether student files are complete by verifying required forms, student information, enrollment status, program of study, financial aid information, residency or funding criteria, and other materials.
• Interpret and apply federal, state, institutional, and grant requirements to determine routine eligibility for workforce funding and student support programs.
• Contact students to request missing documents, clarify information, explain requirements, and provide next steps.
• Process student awards, tuition assistance, emergency assistance, or other approved supports within program parameters.
• Enter award information and program participation details into student management systems and tracking tools.
• Identify applications needing exceptions or unusual circumstances and refer to leadership for review.

Skills

Communication

Policy interpretation

Customer service

Student records

Microsoft Office

Education

Associate degree or higher

Tools

PeopleSoft

Microsoft Office

Job description

Student Support Specialist (Program Specialist 2)

Student Support Specialist (Program Specialist 2)

Community Colleges of Spokane

Department: SFCC Student Support Services

Salary Range: $3,827 - $5,111

Starting salary for this position is: $3,827 (Monthly)

Employees hired at the entry step of this range receive salary step advancement after six months and every 12 months thereafter. An employee hired at anything higher than the entry step of the range will have salary step advancement after 12 months and every 12 months thereafter until they reach the top of the salary range. Each salary step advancement will be approximately a 5% increase.

About the Student Support Specialist (Program Specialist 2)

JOB SUMMARY

Under general supervision of the Manager of Student Support Services, the Program Specialist 2 coordinates specialized student support and workforce funding programs including Worker Retraining, WorkFirst, Basic Food Employment and Training, Passport to Careers, Opportunity Grant, Early Achievers Grant, Student Emergency Assistance Grant, Supporting Students Experiencing Homelessness, and related student support initiatives.

The specialist reviews student applications, verifies eligibility information, determines file completion, processes awards, monitors academic progress requirements, interprets program rules and procedures, maintains student and grant records, prepares reports, provides program information to students and external agencies, and refers students to appropriate campus and community resources.

This position serves as a program resource for students, faculty, staff, and external partners regarding assigned workforce funding and student support programs. The position exercises independent judgment in applying established program requirements, determining routine eligibility, identifying documentation needs, prioritizing student support needs, maintaining confidential records, and referring exceptions, appeals, unusual compliance issues, or policy questions to Workforce Services leadership.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Student Application Review, Eligibility, and Award Processing

• Review student applications for Worker Retraining, WorkFirst, BFET, Passport to Careers, Opportunity Grant, Early Achievers Grant, SEAG, SSEH, and related student support programs.
• Determine whether student files are complete by verifying required forms, student information, enrollment status, program of study, financial aid information, residency or funding criteria, agency documentation, and other required materials.
• Interpret and apply established federal, state, institutional, and grant-specific requirements to determine routine student eligibility for assigned workforce funding and student support programs.
• Contact students to request missing documents, clarify application information, explain program requirements, and provide next steps for completing the application or funding process.
• Process student awards, tuition assistance, emergency assistance, or other approved supports within assigned program parameters and established procedures.
• Enter award information, eligibility status, student notes, funding details, and program participation information into student management systems, spreadsheets, databases, or other approved tracking tools.
• Identify student applications involving exceptions, appeals, unusual circumstances, conflicting information, or eligibility questions outside established procedures and refer them to Workforce Services leadership for review.

Student Support, Referrals, and Program Information

• Provide information to students regarding assigned workforce funding and student support programs, including eligibility requirements, application steps, documentation requirements, award limits, academic progress expectations, deadlines, and continued participation requirements.
• Meet with students by phone, email, video, or in person to review support needs, explain available resources, and help students navigate assigned program processes.
• Determine student support needs and refer students to appropriate campus and community resources, including Financial Aid, Admissions and Registration, advising, basic needs resources, housing support, food assistance, childcare resources, transportation resources, employment services, and external agency partners.
• Communicate with faculty, staff, and external agencies regarding student program participation, required documentation, referrals, timelines, and program requirements while maintaining confidentiality.
• Participate in outreach activities, workshops, orientations, or presentations to explain workforce funding and student support programs to students, staff, and community partners.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Associate degree or higher from an accredited institution. Or an equivalent mix of education and experience that demonstrates the candidate meets all required competencies for this position.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Experience interpreting policies and procedures based on government regulations.
• Excellent student-centered customer service, outstanding interpersonal skills, organizational skills, and attention to detail.
• Experience working with student/client records.
• Intermediate to advanced skills with Microsoft Office products.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Two or more years of related experience.
• Experience with a student management system, e.g., PeopleSoft.
• Familiar with Worker Retraining, WorkFirst, BFET, or OG funding program(s).
• Knowledge of Spokane Colleges vocational education programs.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Work is performed in a normal, temperature-controlled office environment.
• Work is sedentary in nature.
• Frequent use of computer and exposure to terminal screens.
• Visual focus and strain.
• Work in an office setting with frequent interruptions and background noise.
• Work directly with students/clients.
• Work involves constant interruptions and requirement to answer on demand questions by phone, in person, or electronically.
• Frequent repetitive hand/wrist motions and finger manipulation.
• Frequent oral and auditory communication with others.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Full-time schedule (12 months, 40 hours per week).
• This position is overtime eligible.
• 6-month probationary period.
• Criminal background check is required.
• This position is covered under a collective bargaining agreement. Membership is optional.

Person hired must be able to provide acceptable documentation of U.S. Citizenship or lawful authorization to work in the United States. This is an absolute condition of employment. An offer of employment will not carry with it any responsibility or obligation on the part of the district to sponsor an H1-B visa. In addition, the Spokane Colleges maintain a drug-free work environment and prohibits all smoking in the college buildings and state-owned vehicles. Must be able to successfully work in and promote a multicultural work and education environment.

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position. Once an applicant is chosen for a position, they are required to complete and submit a declaration regarding sexual misconduct and investigation per state law.

Required Application Materials

To qualify for consideration, applicants must meet required competencies and submit a complete application packet, which includes the following:

• Cover letter – addressing your qualifications relevant to the responsibilities of this position.
• Resume.
• References – the names, addresses, and phone numbers of three professional references.

Equal Opportunity Institution

Spokane Colleges provides equal opportunity in education and employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, age, sex, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, disability, veteran or military status, or use of a trained guide dog or service animal. Spokane Colleges complies with applicable federal and state civil rights laws, including Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and Washington state nondiscrimination laws.

Direct all inquiries or grievances regarding access, Title IX, ADA, equal opportunity compliance, and/or grievances to:
Frederick Davis, MA
Chief Human Resources Officer
Spokane Colleges
P.O. Box 6000, MS1004
Spokane, WA. 99217-6000
509-434-5040 / mailto:[e-mail].