Student Services Specialist

About the role

Be an Eagle – Where Purpose Takes Flight! At North Carolina Central University (NCCU), we are more than an institution—we are a community rooted in a legacy of excellence and transformation. A historically Black university located in Durham, North Carolina, also known as ‘The City of Medicine,’ NCCU has been a cornerstone of education since 1910, fostering innovation and progress. Join our team and enjoy a comprehensive benefits package and exclusive perks designed to support your work-life balance. At NCCU, your professional growth will be nurtured, and your contributions will help shape the future for our students and the community we serve.

Primary Purpose

The primary purpose of the position is student and client centered, such that the needs of the students in meeting their academic obligations while enrolled in the clinic can be efficiently addressed while addressing those who seek legal services through the clinics offered within the Clinical Program, in a professional and welcoming manner. The Clinics are established to provide students with an experiential learning experience while simultaneously providing legal services to qualified citizens who might not otherwise be able to afford needed legal services, which are provided by the respective clinics housed within the Clinical Legal Education program at the NCCU School of Law.

Responsibilities

• First point of contact for telephone calls, students, and clients who visit the Legal Clinic.
• Office manager in coordinating and managing workflow as it pertains to various legal clinics.
• Collect and maintain highly confidential client information.
• Manage mail for attorneys.
• Coordinate event dates and schedules for programs hosted by law clinic personnel.
• Supervise work-study students to ensure they obtain necessary skills outlined in the legal clinic’s goals and expectations.
• Produce and maintain File It Yourself custody packets for sale to Pro Se Litigants.
• Assist clinical faculty with student-centered tasks such as handling certification process for 3L practice students under rules and regulations of the North Carolina State Bar.
• Responsible for purchasing supplies for the Clinical Legal Education Program.
• Submit appropriate documents for travel reimbursement and auditing purposes.
• Research various opportunities for students and faculty members to attend legal competitions.
• Make travel and registration arrangements for competitions, including contacting hotels and other travel destinations for vendor ID information to determine compliance with University purchasing standards and guidelines.
• Manage University disbursements made to students who participate in competitions; reconcile amounts received by students for advance payments upon students returning from trip.
• Communicate with students the implications of outstanding balances with the University.
• Maintain the review schedule for supervising attorneys who perform on-site visits of students in the Pathways to Practice program.
• Collaborate with students who serve as pro bono volunteers that work with children who attend the Legal Eagle Camp.
• Develop and maintain a positive working relationship throughout campus with offices such as the Travel office, Federal Trust & Accounting, Bursar’s Office, NCCU Foundation Office, and Shipping.
• Interact with outside vendors and customers as necessary; maintain positive relationships for various outside clients of the clinic.
• Answer inquiries from attorneys, clients, and court officials regarding clinic services handled by clinic students.
• Actively network to promote additional clients.
• Model professionalism when interacting with controversial clients as it relates to highly sensitive legal matters.
• Listen and communicate with clients to ensure that their needs are being met.
• Adequately communicate with all Clinical professors regarding 2L and 3L students enrolled in pro bono programs.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Working knowledge of applicable policies, procedures, and information systems to communicate, process, summarize, and reconcile information, data reports, and records.
• Familiarity with systems including Banner Finance and PeopleAdmin or equivalent; knowledge of budget and grant management and project administration; knowledge of Chrome River or equivalent travel and expense management systems.
• Proficient knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite Applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access).
• Ability to interpret and apply program Human Resources and Budget policies and practices.
• Ability to manage data using a variety of computer applications, including legal management software.
• Ability to work independently without direct supervision in a high-paced environment.
• Ability to manage student personnel.
• Ability to effectively explain processes, policies, and procedures to the campus, local, and/or regional communities.
• Ability to learn, interpret, and analyze diverse information to make necessary decisions regarding facilities and inventory management.
• Ability to project future needs and related expenses for program continuation, development, and implementation.
• Ability to exercise judgment and discretion in identifying issues and related problem solving.
• Ability to plan, prioritize, and organize workflow.
• Excellent analytical and organizational skills.
• Excellent written, oral communication, and interpersonal skills needed to effectively interact with a wide range of individuals.
• Oral communication skills are imperative because of the need to interact with unknown individuals on a frequent basis as a result of constant receipt of telephone calls and walk-in clients.
• Ability to field communications appropriately and with a welcoming attitude is essential.
• Ability to develop good working relationships with all of the clinical directors, students enrolled in the clinical offerings, as well as other employees within the clinic and the law school.

Minimum Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.
• Master’s degree from an accredited university in business, public administration or related field with 2–3 years of experience working at the Graduate Program Level is preferred; or a combination of education, training, and experience in a related field.
• Knowledge of graduate and professional degree programs and resources.
• Experience implementing workshops, orientations and/or conferences, and recruitment activities.

Licenses or Certification

None required by statute or regulation.

Benefits

• Accrued Vacation and Sick Leave
• Community Service Leave
• NC State – Health Benefits
• NCFlex – Vision, Dental, Flexible Spending Account, Life Insurance and more
• 11–12 Paid Holidays
• Teachers and State Employees Retirement System (TSERS)
• Optional Supplemental Plans – 401k, 403b, 457b and 457
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Campus Recreation Center Discount
• University Bookstore Discount