Senior Program Specialist - Student Services

About the Role

Under general supervision, performs routine to complex student and administrative support for a program in an assigned department or categorically funded project. Determines program eligibility for new and existing students, advises and delivers program elements, and encourages student engagement in student life and activities. Provides advanced program/grant management support, including preparing and analyzing statistical data and program metrics. Assists the program director to ensure compliance with federal, state, and District policies, rules, and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Provides input in selecting, training, and providing day-to-day lead work guidance and direction to other program staff, tutors, and student aides; assigns, schedules, and monitors work for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with District, department, and legal/regulatory requirements.
• Monitors workflow to ensure mandated deadlines are met; provides information, instruction, and training on work procedures and technical, program, legal, and regulatory requirements.
• Provides input to supervisor on employee work performance and behaviors; assists in ensuring a fair, open, and inclusive work environment.
• Oversees and participates in the day-to-day operation and service delivery of a student services program or department; assists students with matriculation requirements, applications, forms, and program requirements.
• Organizes and implements orientation activities, workshops, conferences, cultural experiences, and academic support/tutoring programs to encourage student engagement.
• Provides academic advising services, including career and educational advising, orientation, and transfer advising; assists students in selecting a major and facilitates career exploration and transfer program activities.
• Advises students on certificate, vocational, associate degree, and transfer programs and courses of study.
• Screens student needs for Counselors and schedules appointments or provides referrals to campus and community programs; coordinates access to student services, accommodations for disabled students, and financial aid.
• Assists students with access to food, financial, mental health, legal, and housing resources.
• Determines student eligibility for programs or services; tracks student progress and adherence to program guidelines; maintains permanent student records and verifies documentation.
• Acts as a liaison to local schools, adult education programs, and community groups to recruit potential program participants; plans and facilitates program activities to assist with matriculation.
• Organizes and implements student leadership opportunities through clubs, service learning, summer work study, and student government; provides training on public speaking, mentoring, and soft skills.
• Oversees administration of student-related budgets and funds; ensures efficacy of student government elections and operations; recruits, selects, and trains student club leadership.
• Oversees and participates in program tracking and data input; develops, maintains, and audits spreadsheets, databases, and reports; coordinates with other departments regarding financial aid and student work hours.
• Conducts studies and complex data analyses to evaluate program effectiveness; makes recommendations for program enhancements.
• Coordinates logistics for major programs and events, including liaising with participants, securing vendors, scheduling locations, and troubleshooting onsite issues.
• Demonstrates sensitivity to and understanding of historically minoritized groups; participates in professional development to increase cultural competency.
• May participate in grant administration, including grant writing, budget monitoring, and generating performance reports.
• Oversees program marketing, including promotional materials, website updates, and social media management.
• May serve as an advisor to student government or collaborate with athletics to implement intramural programs and coordinate game management logistics.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Requirements

Knowledge Of

• Student services program goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and practices applicable to the area of assignment.
• District assessment, matriculation, and course prerequisite policies.
• Principles, methods, and practices for designing and implementing public relations, outreach, and marketing programs.
• District student recordkeeping practices.