Student Service Specialist, Veternan's Resource Center, Full-Time, Limited Term Employment

Description

The VRC will provide strategically targeted support to students who are veterans via walk-in and virtual. Our Veterans Support Specialist will confer with colleagues to refer and follow up on student participation and progress using Advising, Success Coaching, Student Accommodations, Academic Support, and other resources. For example, the VRC will coordinate closely with the Military Education Support Office (MESO) to review transcripts, use EAB Navigate Retention Alert to coordinate and track wraparound services for veterans.

Students will be contacted via email/text at strategic times and checkpoints during the year (i.e., after midterm and final grades) to: 1) increase semester to semester retention, 2) direct students to resources, 3) encourage priority registration for new and returning students, and (4) explain academic standing.

Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) is Wisconsin's largest and most diverse technical college, offering 170+ high-quality programs that connect students to a career in as little as one to two years. The college also offers a less expensive path to a four-year degree. MATC is transforming lives, industry and our community by preparing students today for the careers of tomorrow. MATC's diverse team members - 42% of whom are employees of color--work with a purpose to serve the students who make us one of the most diverse two-year institutions in the Midwest. Together, we are meeting the needs of the community we shared and committed to eliminating equity gaps in higher education for both students and employees. We are seeking passionate individuals to join our team who shares the same passion in serving this purpose. Learn more about MATC at www.matc.edu .

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities

The Veterans Support Specialist will:

• Coordinate with Tutoring Services staff in order to improve engagement of veteran students and improve use of tutoring on a continual basis.
  
  
• Offer Credit for Prior Learning and Experience workshops to educate veteran students on the process of earning credit for classes taken or training completed while serving in the military.
  
  
• Coordinate student incentives and activities such as discounted and/or free meals, referrals to the food pantry, retail and ticket discounts, haircuts, and services that recognize or celebrate veterans.
  
  
• Partner with the Student Career, Employment & Transfer Center to offer career exploration and employment preparation activities to veterans and students from other populations experiencing opportunity gaps. This will include job readiness workshops, employer forums, networking, job fair preparation and attendance.
  
  
• Partner with the Milwaukee County Veterans Service Office, the Milwaukee Regional Veteran’s Affairs Office, the Milwaukee VA Medical Center, as well as local VFW posts.
  
  
• Bi-monthly professional development workshops will be held in collaboration with the Veterans Resource Center. MATC’s Veterans Resource Center both hosts seminars to educate students on veteran-specific issues and resources as well as promoting and connecting veteran students with external sessions offered by collaborative partners.
  
  

The Veterans Support Specialist organizes and supports all of the above activity with support from the Perkins Grant Coordinator and colleagues in other Student Services areas.

Qualifications

Education/Experience: Associate degree in Education, Behavioral Sciences, Business, or Marketing with at least three (3) years as a Veteran/service member or related experience* specifically working with veterans

Preferred Experience: Bachelor's degree in Education, Behavioral Sciences, Business, or Marketing with at least one (1) year as a Veteran/service member or related experience* specifically working with veterans.

*Related experience must consist of:

• Occupational experience in the area of recruitment (student or employment) or direct sales and marketing
• Experience with veterans and/or veteran students; preferable those with diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds.
• Understanding of curriculum development, instructional design, articulation agreements, and assessments.
• Demonstrated advanced knowledge and experience with computer software, applications and data collection and report design
• Proven excellent customer service

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to relate to veteran students with diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds.
• Knowledge of the College's programs.
• Knowledge of student planning documents and academic program requirements.
• Ability to review students course information for transfer, articulation, and substitution to assist in program completion.
• Ability to work independently on multiple projects, meet deadlines
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow employees, veteran students, and the general public.
• Maintains productive work relationships while considering multiple perspectives and using effective conflict resolution practices.
• Ability to communicate and work effectively with individuals from diverse educational and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Ability to communicate effectively through both oral and written means.

Supplemental Information

Start Date :
The position is available immediately. It is a full-time limited term assignment funded through 06/30/2025 . If funding is not secured for the following fiscal year, the position may be ended.

Hours/Location :
Milwaukee downtown campus with the ability to travel to other campuses as required.

Hourly Rate :
Salary is listed to the midpoint of the salary range and is based on the 2024/2025 rates and are determined by years of experience credit and internal salary equity.

Application Materials :
Along with your thoroughly completed applications it is optional, but not required, to upload supporting documents such as resume, cover letter and proof of education (transcript, copy of diploma/degree etc.). Education will be formally verified prior to offer. Salary determination will be based on years of credited experience that is listed on the job application only so please include complete education and work history.

Interviews :
Selected qualified candidates will be invited to virtually interview for this position on a date to be determined. Candidates who are selected after the first interview will be invited to a second-round interview.

EEO/AA

Milwaukee Area Technical College will not discriminate against any employee, applicant for employment, student, or applicant for admission on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, creed, religion, political affiliation, marital status, parental status, pregnancy, disability, age, membership in any reserve component of the armed forces, union affiliation, arrest and conviction record, or any other protected category under applicable local, state or federal law.

Milwaukee Area Technical College is an Equal Opportunity/Access Educator/Employer operating under an Affirmative Action Plan. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified individuals with disabilities. If you have a disability and need special accommodation for the application process, please contact our office at 414-297-6529 (Wisconsin Relay System: 711) or email j obs@matc.edu . Women, veterans, and minorities are encouraged to apply.