Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner seeks to hire an educational support specialist to serve as a navigator point of contact for adult students referred by the RI Reconnect website and various projects. The specialist will facilitate network development, including but not limited to, increasing on- and off-campus connections and collaborations, outreach to students, assessment of need, student support, follow-up, communications, and data collection and record-keeping with non-traditional age students who are re-enrolling in college or in workforce development activities to facilitate completion; facilitate education or training enrollment, persistence, and completion for students, with targeted outreach to under-represented populations; cultivate and nurture partnerships for student resources.

Specific Duties

Network Representative – Adult Student Coaching

• Be available to work 19 hours per week that include afternoon, evening and weekend hours, and to travel locally, as required.
• Be available to represent RI Reconnect at events throughout Rhode Island.
• Provide engaged, proactive, and strategic coaching services aimed toward developing and maintaining working relationships with adult students to maximize their achievement, retention, persistence, and educational and/or workforce training goal attainment.
• Conduct comprehensive needs assessment, identifying and addressing barriers to program completion.
• Engage adult learners through website referrals, walk-ins, appointments, and workshops to assist students with enrollment processes utilizing a variety of contact methods (email, phone call, in‐person, classroom presentations, etc.)
• Support students with referrals to students to complete financial aid applications and processes.
• Communicate promptly and consistently with students using a variety of methods (email, phone call, in‐person, classroom presentations, etc.)
• Refer students to academic support services, appropriate campus services, public benefits, and community-based resources, as needed.
• Assist students with external barriers to enrollment and persistence.
• Advocate for students and teach self-advocacy skills.
• Complete all required data and record keeping and ensure that it is kept up-to-date for all students served, including progress notes, contact sheets, intake questionnaire, etc.

Occasional Job Functions

• Provide coverage for other project staff as needed.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• Experience in social services and/or higher education, or in a relevant field.
• Ability to establish professional relationships with students, co-workers, and all referring agencies.
• Excellent organizational skills; strong verbal and written communications skills, including presentation skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-performing team environment.
• Knowledge of and ability to utilize computer applications in an educational environment, such as Microsoft Office.
• Proven ability to effectively interact and communicate with a diverse group of students, alumni, and staff.
• Willingness to pursue appropriate and ongoing professional development.
• Able to plan, organize and administer multiple activities and meet deadlines.
• Strong respect and desire to support diverse and inclusive communities.
• This position will occasionally require travel to locations throughout Rhode Island. Must have access to and use of own transportation.

Desired Skills

• Proficiency in English and Spanish.
• Experience working with adult students providing direct services.
• Lived experience as an adult college student preferred.
• Experience in higher education in either advising, admissions, direct support, or any student-facing position.

This is a part-time, temporary, non-union, non-classified position funded by a grant. The hourly pay rate is $25/hour, and the specialist reports to the educational support coordinator. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.