Student Services Specialist

Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY: Provide students, visitors, faculty, and staff with one-stop quality service by sharing accurate information and knowledge in the broad areas of admissions, advising/ counseling, financial aid, registration, and other processes administered by the Department of Student and Career Services.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, and LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS: Bachelor’s Degree required, previous experience in student services preferred but not required, work experience in a college setting is a plus, experience working with international students preferred.

ESSENTIAL TASKS: Employee must be able to perform the following essential functions of the job:

* Create an atmosphere of effective, efficient, friendly, and reliable service, providing an easy, accessible, credible resource from which individuals can access information.

* Serve as first point of contact for new students and community members, in person, online or by telephone, by disseminating college information including academic programs, enrollment processes and financial services.

* Provide information related to campus and community resources as appropriate to the individual student/customer.

* Assist students in conducting registration activities such as understanding course offerings, adding, dropping, waitlisting, auditing and withdrawing from courses. Provide students with information regarding residency.

* Assist students with online services, including the student portal and online processes.

* Screen and assist students to schedule appointments for advisors, counselors, financial aid and/or other division staff.

* Issue and re-issue student ID cards and staff ID cards.

* Answer main phone line as college phone operators and respond to incoming calls by providing accurate information.

* Respond to and direct incoming Student Services emails to other Student Development departments and other college divisions and departments.

* Provide enrollment and general information services to prospective students to facilitate recruitment/retention efforts.

* Enhance customer service and help with problem solving for customers.

* Guide prospective students in determining appropriate entry level, completing admission documents, and meeting college requirements. Refer students and visitors to college personnel, according to established protocol.

* Assist with campus events (ie, orientations; open registrations on campus, college fairs, commencement) and other special projects, as requested.

* Communicate effectively in a professional, tactful and courteous manner with students, employees, faculty and the general public.

* Ensure that all activities are conducted within the established College policies, FERPA guidelines and other applicable laws pertaining to employment and education.

* Perform assigned responsibilities, other related duties, and tasks according to established practices, procedures, techniques, and standards in a safe manner and with minimal supervision.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES: Knowledge of college policies, procedures, and practices with the ability to answer work related questions, and/or interpret and apply these guidelines correctly in various situations; thorough knowledge of all ECC programs and services; knowledge of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA); ability to handle confidential material judiciously; perform job duties in a safe and efficient manner; well organized and self-disciplined; ability to work independently and in a team environment; ability to interpret and enforce academic policy and procedures under wide variety of circumstances; knowledge of general office procedures; an understanding of financial aid programs and regulations; an understanding of ECC's degree and certificate plans.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS: Strong written and oral communication skills; ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with other employees; strong customer service orientation; ability to manage interpersonal conflict situations requiring tact, diplomacy and discretion; positive attitude; ability to interact effectively with diverse student populations and a wide variety of coworkers; ability to multitask, solution oriented; detail-oriented; critical thinking skills, ability to read, understand and correctly apply rules and regulations; ability to work in a fast paced and stressful environment while maintaining a friendly and courteous manner; understand and communicate complex governmental regulations and delivery systems affecting financial aid, financial services, admissions and registration.

EQUIPMENT AND SOFTWARE: Current information technology used by the college and department, including but not limited to, Microsoft Office, Outlook, Google Sheets, Google Forms, etc.; use of technical computer applications; use office machines such as telephones, scanners, copiers; effective keyboarding skills.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

Environment: Work is performed primarily in a standard office setting with frequent interruptions and distractions; extended periods of time viewing computer monitor.

Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull up to 10 lbs; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard.

SALARY RANGE: $35-45,000 Depending on experience.Company Description

The Virginia Institute of Science & Technology (DBA: VIST) is a private institution of higher education located in Vienna (Tysons Corner), Virginia. The Institute offers a Master of Science in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance program and two graduate certificate programs. The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) certifies Virginia Institute of Science & Technology to operate in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Virginia Institute of Science & Technology (VIST) is accredited by Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) as Accredited Institute in the United States. The ACCSC is listed by the US Department of Education as a national recognized accrediting agency.

The VIST campus is located at 2070 Chain Bridge Road, Vienna (Tysons Corner), Virginia DC122182. Tysons Corner is a suburb of Washington DC., the nation’s capital and the center of politics, arts, science, advanced technology, and Federal Government of the United States. Tysons Corner is within a 25–40-minute driving distance of most of The Greater Washington Metropolitan area (covers Southern Maryland, DC and Northern Virginia areas, it is also called DMV) and is equally accessible through the use of the DC Metro-System from all directions of DMV. It is about a 20 minute driving-distance to the White House, Capitol Building, the both Ronald Regan and Dulles International Airports. VIST is also easily accessible through the use of the DC Metro System from all directions of the DMV area. VIST’s main campus is only one block from Greensboro Station on the Silver line.