College Retention & Success Specialist

Description

Job Overview:

The College Retention & Success Specialist provides comprehensive case management, academic coaching, career readiness, and wraparound support to college students in SGA's Higher Sights program. The Specialist partners with colleges, families, employers, and community organizations to increase college persistence, semester-to-semester retention, graduation rates, and successful transitions into careers or graduate education. The role combines intensive student coaching, data-driven case management, crisis intervention, financial aid navigation, workforce development, and outcome reporting.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Key Responsibilities:

Student Success Coaching

· Maintain an active caseload of approximately 50–60 college students.

· Develop individualized Student Success Plans with academic, career, financial, and personal goals.

· Conduct a minimum of two contacts per month using in-person, virtual, phone, or campus visits.

· Monitor enrollment, GPA, credit completion, persistence, and graduation milestones.

· Provide coaching on executive functioning, study skills, time management, and self-advocacy.

Academic & Financial Support

· Assist students with registration, degree planning, FAFSA, scholarships, emergency aid, and financial literacy.

· Troubleshoot enrollment, academic probation, housing, transportation, technology, and financial barriers.

· Coordinate referrals to tutoring, disability services, counseling, and campus resources.

Career & Leadership Development

· Connect students to internships, employment, externships, networking, and career exploration.

· Facilitate workshops on professional skills, leadership, financial wellness, graduate school, and career readiness.

· Support resume development, interviewing, and LinkedIn/profile building.

Case Management & Collaboration

· Maintain timely case notes, service documentation, consent forms, and participant records in ETO or other systems.

· Coordinate services with colleges, families, employers, mentors, and community partners.

· Participate in interdisciplinary case reviews and continuous quality improvement.

Program Administration

· Recruit eligible participants and maintain engagement.

· Prepare newsletters and student communications.

· Track performance measures and assist with grant reporting.

· Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

 · Bachelor's degree in Education, Social Work, Counseling, Student Affairs, Psychology, Human Services, or related field required; Master's preferred. 

 · Minimum three years of experience in college access, retention, advising, case management, youth development, or related services. 

· Knowledge of higher education systems, FAFSA, financial aid, scholarships, and student support resources.

· Experience serving first-generation, low-income, and historically underserved students preferred.

· Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.

Key Competencies

· Trauma-informed and culturally responsive practice.

· Student engagement and motivational interviewing.

· Academic coaching and case management.

· Strong presentation, workshop facilitation, and public speaking skills.

· Partnership development with colleges and employers.

· Data management and outcome tracking using Microsoft Office and ETO or similar systems.

· Excellent written, verbal, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

Performance Expectations

· Maintain required monthly student contact standards.

· Meet retention, persistence, graduation, and engagement targets.

· Complete documentation within agency timelines.

· Develop strong campus and employer partnerships.

· Support continuous program improvement and grant compliance.

Physical Requirements

· Ability to remain active throughout program hours. 

· Frequently move throughout classrooms, cafeterias, gyms, playgrounds, and outdoor spaces. 

· Ability to supervise students indoors and outdoors. 

· Lift and carry up to 25 pounds. 

· Participate in recreational activities and field trips. 

· Occasional evening family events may be required.

FULL-TIME BENEFITS ELIGIBLE

BENEFITS

Eligible employees receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance; employer-paid life insurance; short- and long-term disability coverage; a 403(b) retirement savings plan; paid vacation, sick leave, personal days, and holidays; an Employee Assistance Program; Benefits are provided in accordance with plan documents and organizational policies, and eligibility may vary based on employment status and scheduled hours.

 Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time; this description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions, it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.  This job description is subject to change at any time.

An Equal Opportunity Employer