Veterans Academic Counselor - Springfield Technical Community College

Reporting to the Dean of Student Initiatives, the Veterans Academic Counselor provides leadership in the development, delivery, and assessment of service, support and programming to enhance the academic success of student veterans, current service members, and dependents. The Veterans Academic Counselor establishes strong relationships with military organizations, Veterans Administration, and related private and nonprofit organizations that provide essential support for veterans. Ensuring student veterans and service members have a strong starting point at the college, the Veterans Academic Counselor anchors specialized services including the arrangement and provision of counseling, disability, and academic support services on campus and the connection to off-campus services through the Veterans Administration and other veteran organizations. The Veterans Academic Counselor is responsible for counseling/advising students on degree/career programs to develop academic plans of study.

Through their work and life experiences, service to the community, and teaching and/or research, the Veterans Academic Counselor is expected to contribute to our diversity, inclusivity, and equity goals.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Serves as an academic advisor to students (i.e. - participates in phases of student registration; advises incoming students; advises students in course selection and registration; conducts conferences and makes recommendations; assists in creating, planning, and conducting new student orientations; refers students to appropriate support services and resources).
• Serves as a veterans' affairs counselor (i.e. - serves as primary certifying official to veterans; verifies enrollment status on weekly basis and updates with Veterans Administration Regional Office
• Counsels students in G.I. benefit procedures; organizes and conducts information workshops
• Serves as liaison to armed service recruiters from all branches
• Maintains Veterans Administration records and ensures compliance with all VA regulations and requirements (85/15, catalogs, etc.).
• Performs administrative tasks associated with department activities (i.e. - researches/prepares college withdrawal appeals; creates/designs handouts; assists in editing copy for college catalog and student handbook; maintains and updates student logs and files; prepares budget recommendations, status reports, signs, banners, handouts, brochures, goals, objectives, reports, forms, and general correspondence
• Operates a computer and utilizes word processing, database, spreadsheet, desktop publishing, Internet, or other software programs)
• Monitors academic progress of students; assists students in registering, adding, or withdrawing from courses
• Interacts with various agencies/individuals (i.e. - attends meetings/events, serves on committees, and makes presentations; conducts academic informational sessions or workshops
• Communicates with other departments, faculty members, students, school officials, career/vocational counselors, community groups, the public, outside agencies, and other individuals to coordinate activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems; responds to complaints, researches problems, and initiates problem resolution
• Coordinates, trains, and maintains close working relationship with secondary certifying official
• Participate in college, division, department meetings, events and training as recommended and approved by supervisor.
• Participate in professional development opportunities, college committees, work groups and task forces, and other professional organizations as approved by supervisor.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities related to those listed above which do not alter the basic level of the position.

• Master's degree in Education, Counseling, Psychology or closely related field; with three (3) years experience and/or training involving college admissions, academic advisement, career development, or program/project management; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Ability to maintain effective, collaborative working relationships with internal and external colleagues and constituents.
• Ability to build rapport and meaningful relationships with students and colleagues.
• Strong written and oral communications skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and adhere to FERPA regulations.
• Experience serving diverse populations and a demonstrated commitment to equity.
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Working knowledge of Datatel student information system.
• Experience working as a Primary Certifying Official.
• Experience working with and supporting a culturally diverse population in an Hispanic-Serving Institution.

Equivalency Statement:

Applicants who do not meet the qualifications as stated above are encouraged to put in writing precisely how their background and experience have prepared them with the equivalent combination of education, training, and experience required for the responsibilities of this position.

Working Conditions/Physical Demands:

Works in an office setting. Tasks require the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work. Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time. The individual needs to move about inside the office to access office machinery. Constantly operates a computer and other equipment i.e. copier. This person frequently communicates with students, faculty and staff. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.

Salary: $58K - $83K (MCCC, Grade 5) Actual salary will be commensurate with education and experience per the MCCC Collective Bargaining Agreement. See http://www.mass.edu/shared/collbargaining/mccc.pdf

Benefits: Yes, FT

Union: MCCC Professional

Grant Funded: No

Work Schedule: 37.5 hours per week (Monday - Friday, 8am-4pm). Requires flexibility to work occasional evenings and/or weekends as demand dictates.

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

All candidates must have legal authorization to work in the United States. Springfield Technical Community College is not sponsoring H1B Visa.

COVID VACCINATION REQUIREMENT:

Effective January 3, 2022 all Springfield Technical Community College employees will need to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination, unless granted an accommodation.

INFORMATION AWARENESS SECURITY TRAINING:

Candidates for employment should be aware that all STCC employees are required to complete Information Awareness Security Training within thirty days of their orientation date and annually thereafter.