Success Coach (Full-Time/Grant Funded)

Posting Number S1252 – Open to all applicants. This is a temporary, exempt, grant-funded position with a salary of $55,000 per 12 months.

About the Role

The Success Coach plays a vital role in engaging and supporting current students through their academic journey at Del Mar College, with a primary focus on increasing student retention, persistence, and graduation rates for Freedom To Dream (FTD) students. This position involves providing personalized coaching to the FTD cohort, helping them stay on track to meet FTD tuition waiver requirements, complete their educational and transfer goals, and connecting them to resources that support academic success. The Success Coach will assist students with navigating challenges, overcoming barriers, and achieving academic milestones, from enrollment through graduation.

Capacity to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with students, faculty, and staff. Able to work as part of a team using a student-centered focus on helping to attain, maintain, and retain students and prospective students throughout their higher education experience.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the central, ongoing case manager for an assigned caseload of Freedom To Dream students. Provide comprehensive services with specialized strategies for each assigned student.
• Initiate proactive interventions/strategies and collaborate with faculty and campus staff to address academic concerns and life challenges for students to successfully complete their educational goals.
• Create personalized success plans with measurable objectives to keep students on track toward meeting FTD tuition waiver requirements, completing academic program credentials, or reaching transfer goals. Track student milestones. Conduct regular check-ins to monitor progress, adjust strategies, and maintain momentum.
• Document coaching sessions and track student engagement in success initiatives. Prepare reports, proposals, and recommendations for overall programs; keep detailed records of assigned activities.
• Collaborate with faculty and student services staff to identify students who may benefit from additional interventions, including CARE Connections and direct referrals.
• Assist students with developing self-advocacy skills, including communicating with faculty and utilizing campus resources effectively.
• Support growth mindset development and resilience through positive reinforcement and strengths-based coaching.
• Collaborate with a broad network of internal and external partners to connect students to additional support that addresses student needs and supports their success. Collaborate across the division to develop and implement high-impact engagement and support strategies that promote a sense of belonging and strengthen student outcomes.
• Streamline student communications, nudges, and progress monitoring.
• Participate in ongoing relevant professional development to ensure implementation of current strategies and promising practices.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree with five (5) years of academic or success coaching experience in a higher education setting OR Master’s degree with three (3) years of related experience.
• Effectively use interpersonal and communications skills, including tact and diplomacy.
• Effectively use organizational and planning skills, including attention to detail and follow-through.
• Excellent verbal, listening, writing, problem-solving, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Experience advising students on program guidelines and requirements.
• Ability to assess student needs and provide appropriate resources and/or referrals.
• Maintain confidentiality of work-related information and materials.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Skills

• Use a variety of spreadsheet, word processing, database, and presentation software.
• Knowledge and experience with electronic records management systems for student records (e.g., Colleague, Civitas, Canvas).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in success coaching and caseload management in higher education.
• Experience in a community college setting.

Pay

$55,000 per 12 months.

Schedule

Temporary, full-time position.

Culture

Del Mar College is committed to fostering a culture aligned with The Viking Way, which emphasizes respect, integrity, collaboration, accountability, and a commitment to excellence. Employees are expected to contribute to a positive work environment by demonstrating professionalism, supporting colleagues and students, and engaging in continuous learning and development.

In support of the College’s Strategic Plan 2024–2029, Guiding Star III: Cultivate, all employees are encouraged to actively participate in opportunities that promote personal and professional growth, advance a culture of belonging, and strengthen the College’s ability to serve its students and community.