Veterans Services Specialist-PT

City Colleges of Chicago’s vision is to be recognized as the city’s most accessible higher education engine of socioeconomic mobility and racial equity – empowering all Chicagoans to take part in building a stronger and more just city. The community college system’s more than 3,500 faculty and staff serve more than 70,000 students annually at seven colleges and five satellite sites.

About the Role

Reporting to a Dean or assigned administrator, the Veterans Services Specialist-PT applies specialized knowledge in veterans’ benefits, resources, and educational challenges to assist and support veterans, active duty, reserve and national guard service members, and their dependents in understanding their veteran/military education benefits; enrolling at a CCC college; transitioning to student life; and achieving student success. Veterans Services Specialists-PT also oversee the operation of a Veterans Services Center on campus and facilitate opportunities for integrated engagement into campus life. This role demonstrates a commitment to helping military-affiliated students achieve their academic goals and overcome obstacles to success by providing advocacy, support, and guidance while connecting them with appropriate academic, financial, social, and student support services.

Responsibilities

• Meets one-on-one with new and returning military-affiliated students to provide information and explain available campus-based and community services, as well as veteran/military education benefits, to support their enrollment and completion of academic goals.
• Guides prospective and continuing students in applying for and understanding federal and state veteran/military education benefits; explains VA benefit programs such as the Post/911 GI Bill; and reviews military documents (e.g., certificate of eligibility, DD214) to help assess benefits eligibility.
• Supports and assists military-affiliated students through the admissions process using an enrollment checklist to ensure completion of steps, including: applying for admissions and veteran/military education benefits; review of programs and tuition costs; financial aid; academic advising; early learning credit and placement; student orientation; and referrals to additional VA resources.
• Coordinates work activities with advising, registrar, financial aid, and other offices/departments to connect military-affiliated students with appropriate staff and services that lead to and support their successful enrollment and registration in credit or certificate programs.
• Works in close collaboration with the School Certifying Official to maintain data and certify VA/military benefits through appropriate systems, and report on enrollment status, academic plans, grades, and academic progress for military-affiliated students.
• Implements intervention strategies in coordination with advising and academic support staff to assist military-affiliated students at risk of losing benefits due to unsatisfactory academic performance.
• Practices a holistic approach to help meet the unique needs of military-affiliated students and increase student retention and success. Discusses academic and social/personal issues and provides referrals to campus services (e.g., tutoring, wellness) as well as external social services (e.g., housing).
• Monitors activities of the on-campus Veterans Services Center; ensures the Center provides a welcoming space for military-affiliated students to interact; makes available print and electronic information of interest to students; supervises federal and CCC work-study students working at the Center.
• Advocates for military-affiliated students with appropriate college administrators and external parties. Mediates and resolves issues between students and instructors.
• Partners with external organizations (federal, state, and county agencies, hospitals) to ensure referrals provided to military-affiliated students effectively address external factors impacting their ability to succeed.
• Builds relationships and works with businesses and organizations to provide veterans with connections and opportunities for employment.
• Serves as advisor to campus veteran clubs and associations.
• Develops and implements various educational and social events during the year. Organizes and facilitates workshops for military-affiliated students. Coordinates with the Director of Transfer Services on workshops for transitioning to four-year institutions.
• Works with college administrators and district staff in the review of new and revised VA regulations and laws; creates new or revised business processes to address changes in regulations, new programs, and other requirements.
• Monitors budget expenditures; prepares purchase orders for office supplies and expenses relating to the operations of the Veterans Center.
• Administers federal work-study program; supervises and trains students awarded VA hiring contracts; verifies and approves timesheets for submission to VA.
• Works collaboratively with district and campus administrators on programming to include outreach and recruitment plans, events planning, graduation, new services, and special projects.
• Attends and participates in district-level meetings with the District Director and campus-level meetings, including leadership meetings.
• Attends and participates in various professional development activities.
• Compiles data and prepares reports for inclusion in required federal and state outcome assessment and annual reports.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• Two years of related experience working with veterans or other recruitment outreach programs in a professional capacity, with a background in guidance, social work, student personnel administration, or a related field preferred.
• Veterans with honorable discharge will be given preference.
• An equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be considered.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Ability to work within a culturally diverse environment.
• Ability to effectively present information and represent City Colleges of Chicago.
• Proven ability to work effectively as a team member.
• Must be self-directed.
• Ability to prioritize work and meet deadlines.
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Pay

The salary range for this position is $17.48/hr - $24.59/hr. Offered salary will be determined by the respective collective bargaining agreement and the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Benefits

This position is represented by Local 1600 Professional Union. Benefits information is available at https://www.ccc.edu/departments/Benefits/.