General Description
The Student Services Specialist/Social Worker is responsible for consulting with students in crisis campus-wide and coordinating and making necessary referrals to community resources. The position reflects a College and Divisional commitment to increase the awareness of mental and physical health conditions by communicating with staff, parents, and students to help facilitate student success. Student Services Specialist/Social Worker maintains the College’s food pantries and leads initiatives to combat food insecurity and organizes the College’s career closet assisting students with job placement. This position serves on the campus
CARES
team and will work in close collaboration with the Dean of Students and Coordinator of Services for Students with Disabilities, as well as Public Safety. The position collaborates with Trinitas Regional Medical Center to effectively consult with students who have complex mental and physical health challenges in order to coordinate off campus referrals as needed, crisis services, and ensuring appropriate level of care is provided.
In addition to Social Worker responsibilities, the Student Services Specialist will work with the Coordinator of Disability Services to resolve registration issues related to advising, testing, and any other registration related issues. Student Services Specialist offers the unique advising capabilities to students seeking career advice or guidance for transfer or dual/joint admission programs. The Specialist develops programs to address student retention goals and supporting student workshops. The Specialist measures, and may develop measurements for, student learning and outcomes.
This is a grant funded position. Funded through
HEERF
II Institutional
CRRSAA
(Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act). The grant is to support higher education institutions to respond effectively to the coronavirus while preserving the learning environment. The funding is for the response of the ongoing crisis.
Characteristics, Duties, and Responsibilities
· Consult with students who have complex mental and physical health challenges and coordinate off campus referrals for necessary resources.
· Coordinate appropriate level of treatment for students in crisis with Trinitas Regional Medical Center and/or other necessary referring agencies.
· Consults and communicates with staff, students, and parents, or designated emergency contacts and assigned key campus partners regarding appropriate services, access, and care for students.
· Serve as the referral coordinator and provide referrals to necessary resources off campus.
· Maintain and sustain campus food pantries and devise methods of food acquisition for the pantry.
· Maintain and seek donations for the campus career closet and develop job placement and career
· Provide linkage for students to various social services, including cash assistance (
TANF
), food stamps, housing, utility assistance, occupational training, Medicaid, and child support resources.
· Develop and provide outreach programs (e.g. presentations, trainings, seminars, and workshops) on mental health related topics for faculty, staff, and students.
· Develop and provide campus training activities on the topics of drug and alcohol awareness,
VAWA
, Title IX, and crisis intervention.
· Maintain current procedures for assisting students in crisis. This includes ensuring that all department and college staff are trained in crisis management procedures.
· Serve on campus
CARE
team.
· Provides proactive academic advising for students under care of Disability Services.
· Assist in the creation of student learning/development outcomes measures for the Division of Student Development; collects appropriate data; and completes assessments of results assigned; recommends modifications to existing services based on outcomes.
· Prepares reports and studies containing findings and recommendations for the review, information, and assistance of the student service division.
· Serves on ad hoc committees as required.
· Provides data on area usage and materials needed for the unit budget.
· Maintains records/data regarding services as directed.
· Performs related responsibilities as assigned by supervisor or designee.
Education Requirements

· Master’s Degree in Social Work required.

·
LSW
certification is preferred.

Experience

· Two (2) years’ experience in college counseling and academic advising or equivalent preferred.

Competencies and Skills Required
· Bilingual preferred.
· Excellent customer service, oral and written communication skills, including ability to communicate effectively with a diverse external community and a diverse campus community.
· Experience with student information systems in a student development/student affairs capacity.
· Proficiency with MS office products including Excel and Access and web page development and maintenance.
· Analytical and problem-solving skills.
· Valid driver’s license and access to an automobile.
· Must be a “quick study” to quickly grasp knowledge of policies and procedures relating to every aspect of student service that a prospective or current student may utilize.
· Ability to collaborate with others.
· Commitment to student service and a diverse population.
Physical Demands and Work Environment
· This position’s duties are normally performed in a typical interior/residence work environment, based on the activity scheduled.
· Some physical effort required; however, the employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
· No or very limited exposure to physical risk.
· Some travel required.