Senior Educational Specialist - Counseling and Special Education

At VCU, we Make it Real through learning, research, creativity, service and discovery — the hallmarks of the VCU experience. A premier, urban, public research university nationally recognized as one of the best employers for diversity, VCU is a great place to work. It’s a place of opportunity, where your success is supported and your career can thrive. VCU offers employees a generous leave package, career paths for advancement, competitive pay, and an opportunity to do mission-driven work.

Primary Purpose and General Responsibilities:

The Senior Educational Specialist will perform a variety of duties critical for maintaining operational excellence and will assist the Department Chair and Faculty Program Coordinators and to ensure the effectiveness of programs and success of students. The position requires administrative skills, commitment to the university, school and department, cross-cultural knowledge, and some curriculum expertise in the programs the Department offers. The position requires a high level of contact with the Department Chair and Faculty Program Coordinators as well as personnel in Student Affairs Units. The Educational Specialist must be able to apply intuitive, analytical, and problem-solving skills to manage daily tasks for which they are accountable. Occasional participation in weekend and evening recruitment activities may be required.

The Senior Educational Specialist will support the Chair with tasks to include:

- Analyzing enrollment trends.

- Formulating departmental reports -Developing recruitment plans.

- Creating enrollment projection reports to include hiring plans.

- Analyzing data and creating data visualization graphics and representations.

- Exploring off-site centers -Exploring international partnerships.

- Other related duties as assigned.

The Senior Educational Specialist will support Faculty Program Coordinators with tasks to include:

- Partnering with the Office of Graduate Studies to coordinate and manage application and admissions process.

- Collaborating with the Office of Enrollment Management and Office of Communications on recruitment activities and marketing strategy (program recruitment, brochures, website).

- Collaborating with the Office of Assessment and assisting with program assessments.

- Assisting with advising and responding to the needs of current and prospective students.

- Assisting with adjunct onboarding and hiring.

- Serving as a liaison between Faculty Program Coordinators and Support Service Units.

- Coordinating program events and activities (i.e., information sessions, orientation, recruitment activities).

- Representing the department at relevant school-wide committee/team meetings.

- Serving as a back-up for departmental administrative/operational services, when necessary.

- Other related duties as assigned

Required Qualifications:

- Demonstrated ability to maintain established work standards and procedures, as well as to adapt easily to procedural changes.

- Demonstrated ability to use informed judgment to autonomously resolve problems and address questions from students and faculty.

- Experience managing and prioritizing multiple tasks and working both independently and as part of a team.Excellent written/verbal communication and customer service skills.

- Excellent computer skills.

- Demonstrated ability to organize and prioritize work.

- Demonstrated ability to manage and complete multiple tasks by stated deadlines.

- Demonstrated ability to work independently and to be a part of a team.

- Administrative experience.

- Knowledge of university organization, policies, and procedures.

- Ability to maintain confidentiality.

- Bachelor’s degree.

Preferred Qualifications:

- Master’s Degree in Student Affairs and/or Higher Education, Educational Leadership, Education Administration or a related field.

- Experience in a related field (i.e., counselor education, special education).

- Experience using Banner, Navigate, Canvas.

- Work experience in a higher education environment.

- Work experience with undergraduate and graduate programs.

- Data management and analysis, reporting and visualization skills.

- Experience with college admissions/recruitment, student retention, and/or student services.

Salary Range: $46,000 - $50,000



Position Details:

Department: Counseling and Special Education
Employment Type: UF - University Employee FT
Restricted Status: No
FTE: 1
Exemption Status: Exempt



Contact Information:

Contact Name: Donna Gibson

Contact Email: dgibson7@vcu.edu