Transfer Navigator

Zane State College; Zanesville (OH); On-site; USD 42,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

Zane State College seeks a Transfer Navigator to engage transfer-intent students, maintain a caseload of about 250, and support persistence, retention, and degree completion. The role collaborates with advisors, financial aid, and registrars to minimize credit loss and enable successful transfers to partner institutions, including Muskingum University.

The position is full-time and grant-funded under Title III Activity II, with evening/weekend hours and travel within Muskingum, Guernsey, and

Qualifications

• Associate degree required; bachelor’s degree preferred (or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience).
• Two years of experience in advising, coaching, student services, case management, or a related field required.
• Knowledge of Ohio transfer policy, including Ohio Transfer 36 and Guaranteed Transfer Pathways, and articulation practices preferred.

Responsibilities

• Coach an active caseload of approximately 250 unduplicated transfer-intent students per year, engaging each student synchronously at least five times per term in person, by video, by phone, or by text, with ongoing outreach.
• Build individualized persistence, completion, and transfer plans with each student using the College's coaching model, monitoring progress toward persistence and degree completion.
• Refer students to advising, financial aid, accessibility services, and other campus resources, advocating for the student and coordinating follow-through across offices.
• Coordinate warm hand-offs to receiving baccalaureate institutions, including Muskingum University, arranging joint advising and transfer transitions.
• Track caseload engagement and outcomes in the college systems for grant reporting and program evaluation.

Skills

Relationship-building

Student-centered communication

Caseload management

Education

Associate degree

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

CRM systems

Job description

The Transfer Navigator engages and supports transfer-intent students at Zane State College so that they persist within term, are retained fall to fall, complete their associate degrees, and transfer successfully to a baccalaureate institution, including Muskingum University. The position maintains an active caseload of approximately 250 unduplicated transfer-intent students per year, engaging each student synchronously at least five times per term alongside ongoing outreach. The Transfer Navigator works closely with faculty advisors, financial aid, the registrar, and receiving institutions to reduce credit loss and remove barriers to transfer. This position is grant-funded under Title III Activity II. The hiring range for this position is between $42,000 - $49,000 with the earning potential up to $78,000 in this pay band.

• Coach an active caseload of approximately 250 unduplicated transfer-intent students per year, engaging each student synchronously at least five times per term in person, by video, by phone, or by text, with ongoing outreach between contacts.
• Build individualized persistence, completion, and transfer plans with each student using the College's evidence-based coaching model, setting goals and monitoring progress toward within-term persistence, fall-to-fall retention, and associate degree completion.
• Refer students to advising, financial aid, accessibility services, and other campus and community resources, advocating for the student and coordinating follow-through across offices.
• Review articulation and transfer credit applicability under Ohio Transfer 36, Guaranteed Transfer Pathways, and institutional articulation agreements to reduce credit loss at the point of transfer.
• Coordinate warm hand-offs to receiving baccalaureate institutions, including Muskingum University, arranging joint advising, campus visits, and transfer admission transitions.
• Track caseload engagement, milestones, and student outcomes in the College's student information and customer relationship management systems, documenting activity to the standard required for grant reporting.
• Contribute data, documentation, and observations to Title III Activity II performance reporting and continuous improvement review.
• Participate in coaching model training and professional development, and in College committees and student success initiatives as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Associate degree required; bachelor's degree preferred (or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience).
• Two years of experience in advising, coaching, student services, case management, or a related field required.
• Knowledge of Ohio transfer policy, including Ohio Transfer 36 and Guaranteed Transfer Pathways, and of articulation practices preferred.
• Experience supporting first-generation, low-income, or rural students preferred.
• Familiarity with retention and completion strategies preferred.
• Knowledge of retention, completion, and transfer processes and the barriers students encounter.
• Strong relationship-building and student-centered communication skills, with demonstrated persistence and follow-through.
• Ability to manage a large caseload and track student engagement over time.
• Ability to work accurately in student information and customer relationship management systems and to maintain confidentiality of student records.
• Valid driver's license (required by College insurance for company vehicle) and willingness to travel within the College's service district and to partner institutions.

This is a full-time, twelve-month, grant-funded position supported under Title III Activity II for the project period of October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2031; continuation is contingent on grant funding. Two positions are authorized under the grant. The position is non-exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act, subject to final classification by Human Resources. Some evening and weekend hours are required, along with travel within the College's three-county service district of Muskingum, Guernsey, and Noble counties and to partner institutions. The position participates in the Ohio public retirement system (SERS or STRS, as applicable).