Graduation and Commencement Specialist

Howard Community College (HCC) is an exciting place to work, learn, and grow! HCC has been awarded the distinction as a "Great College to Work for" since 2009 from The Chronicle of Higher Education.

Howard Community College values diversity among its faculty, staff and student population. We are an innovative institution that is committed to responding to the ever-changing needs and interests of a diverse and dynamic community. No matter where you want to go in your career, you can get there from here!

HCC is recruiting for a Graduation and Commencement Specialist to support our Records, Registration, and Veterans' Affairs department.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Performs degree audits and all aspects of the graduation certification process. Responsible for creating and executing communication to students related to graduation deadlines and commencement. Coordinates the Graduate Get Together and other commencement-related events. Supports commencement ceremony planning and implementation. Tracks graduation data for reporting including unsuccessful graduation attempts to identify barriers to graduation in support of the college's strategic initiative to increase degree completion rates. Primary records, registration and veterans' affairs [RRVA] lead for working with admissions and advising staff to troubleshoot degree audit issues and identify potential reverse transfer candidates. Maintains strong working knowledge of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 [FERPA]. Maintains thorough knowledge of federal and state laws and college policies and procedures regarding transfer credit, general education, prerequisites, and catalog years. Amends student records, including grade changes and NA removals.

WORK PERFORMED

• Provides critical frontline service to graduation applicants, delivering outstanding customer service.
• Performs official degree audits and certification of graduation applicants, ensuring compliance on all federal, state, and institutional requirements regarding transfer credit, general education, prerequisites, and catalog years. Prepares verification of graduation candidacy for transfer and job applicants.
• Provides critical administrative support for strategic initiative to increase degree completion; establishes and maintains graduation application files for enrollment services.
• Supports coordination of all aspects of commencement planning and implementation.
• Leads planning of commencement-related meetings and events including Graduate Get Together, the military cording event, and rehearsals.
• Works closely with the Assistant Registrar to maintain graduation and commencement webpages and execute communication plans to prospective graduate and commencement participants.
• Completes technology upgrade testing and maintains process documentation related to primary areas of responsibility.
• Major processor of student change of information.
• Manages and responds to graduation inquiries from students in all forms, including in-person, voicemail, email, and paper correspondence.
• Interprets graduation data to identify students in various parts of the graduation process, calculates graduate statistics, and produces tracking lists for graduation and commencement processes. Produces report on unsuccessful graduation attempts & tracks students in support of the college's strategic initiative to increase degree completion rates.
• Contributes to analysis of graduation and commencement business processes to identify improvements.
• Supports the registration appeal process.
• Creates and updates office forms, documents, and publications for accuracy.
• Maintains working knowledge of FERPA.
• Works closely with admissions and advising staff to troubleshoot degree audit issues and reverse transfer candidates.
• Supports other office functions, particularly during peak periods, including researching and resolving student registration inquiries , late registration processing, drop for non-payment communication and enrollment call campaigns.
• Assists student use of college technology for grade retrieval, registration, password management, change of information, and graduation application submission.
• Maintains knowledge of all enrollment services offices, and other appropriate units involved in graduation and commencement.
• Attends constituency group meetings and serves on cross-functional teams and standing committees at the request of the registrar.
• Updates professional knowledge by attending professional meetings, conferences, and training sessions.
• Performs duties of evening supervisor.

Requirements:

• Associate's degree required, bachelor's degree preferred.
• Two years prior work experience in student services required; experience with degree audit strongly preferred.
• Strong attention to detail and technical writing experience required.
• Experience working as an effective team member required.
• Excellent technology skills and literacy, including student information systems, MS Office, reporting software, web content management, digital imaging, and e-mail.
• Outstanding organizational, interpersonal and communication skills, including oral and written.
• Outstanding customer service skills, including assisting students in challenging customer service situations. Excellent knowledge of all relevant federal, state and college regulations, policies and procedures related to graduation and completion.
• Significant knowledge of the college's academic programs and requirements preferred.
• Excellent knowledge of FERPA and college records and registration policies and procedures strongly preferred.
• Event planning experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and manage multiple priorities while providing excellent customer service.

Thorough knowledge of and ability to utilize student information system, including performing degree audits, graduation clearances, record corrections, and using communication management to send bulk correspondence to identified populations; experience with Ellucian's Colleague preferred. Knowledge of college policies and procedures. Thorough understanding of RRVA services and an ability to relay knowledge to customers internal and external to the college. Knowledge of MS Office suite; proficiency performing data queries in Excel, Business Objects and other reporting tools; experience with Perceptive Content or related software; and content management systems used to update websites.

• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Regular attendance is a requirement of this job.
• Knowledge of college's emergency operations procedures.
• Performs all duties while considering the impact of any actions on the college's sustainability initiative in the areas of environmental stewardship, social responsibility and economic prosperity.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Fast-paced, deadline driven, sometimes high stress customer service environment. Ability to work one evening per week is required. Occasional heavy lifting and standing for lengthy periods of time at events. Occasional weekend and overtime work. Occasional short and long distance travel required. Considerable interaction with the public. Flexibility required.

All employees must comply with college's COVID-19 vaccination or testing requirement, regardless of telework status. In instances where employees fail to comply, supervisors will be notified, as failure to comply is a violation of the employee code of conduct. Progressive disciplinary action will be taken, including verbal and written warnings, and up to and including suspension and termination.

Hours Per Week: 37.5
Work Schedule: : 8:30 am - 5 pm and one evening a week required (11 am-7:30 pm). Plus occasional weekends and special events.
Compensation: $24.38/hr ($47,732 yearly) plus excellent medical & dental, tuition reimbursement and paid leave
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Grade: 11
Open Until Filled
*Pre-employment criminal background investigation is a condition of employment.

As a participating member of the Maryland Retirement and Pension System, HCC offers two retirement options: The Pension, which requires a 7% employee contribution and The ORP, a 403(b) with a 7.25% employer contribution only. Employees in positions that do not require a bachelor's degree must participate in The Pension. Employees that possess a bachelor's degree and hold professional positions that require a bachelor's degree may choose to participate in either The Pension or The ORP.

Howard Community College (HCC) is an Equal Employment Opportunity & Affirmative Action employer & values diversity within its faculty, staff & student population. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status.

HCC understands that persons with specific disabilities may need assistance with the job application process and/or with the interview process. For confidential assistance with the job application process, please contact the Office of Human Resources at 443-518-1100.

Application Instructions:

HCC is interested in all qualified applicants who are eligible to work in the United States. However, HCC will generally not sponsor applicants for work visas. Only employees living in states contiguous to Maryland are eligible to work at HCC to include Virginia, West Virginia, Washington DC, Pennsylvania. Candidates must live in the commutable area or willing to relocate at their own expense if offered the position because HCC does not offer relocation benefits.

Please submit the following:

1. Completed Application (Candidates will be evaluated on completing the college's application in full)
2. Resume
3. Cover Letter

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