Student Development Specialist

POSITION TITLE: 

Student Development Specialist

COMPENSATION RANGE:

 47,500.00 - 50,500.00 USD per year

EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATION:

 Professional Administrative

DEPARTMENT: 

Student-Athlete Academic Success

TARGET HIRE DATE:

View Full Description

POSITION TITLE: 

Student Development Specialist

COMPENSATION RANGE:

 47,500.00 - 50,500.00 USD per year

EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATION:

 Professional Administrative

DEPARTMENT: 

Student-Athlete Academic Success

TARGET HIRE DATE:

 4/1/2025

BENEFITS: 

UNC’s Career Hub

 

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on 03/11/2025.

Position Summary:

The Student Development Specialist (E99403) is responsible for a caseload of approximately 130 student-athletes.  This position will ensure that their assigned caseload persists towards graduation, according to University expectations and NCAA requirements.  In doing this their effort will be directed to supporting our students and providing them direction as they monitor NCAA and Big Sky eligibility standards, identify possible retention barriers, provide academic and personal development, and assess the students ability to succeed at UNC while connecting them with the necessary resources for student success.

Note:  Review of applications will begin after the position has been posted for 14 calendar days.

Job Duties:

Primary functions of the Student Development Specialist:   
1) Case management for approximately 130 students by intensively monitoring the students' academic progress and delivering individualized academic support for their caseload. 
2) Provides caseload with advisement and guidance towards appropriate and timely degree progress. 
3) Assess academic programming.  Design, implement, and sometimes deliver relevant and innovative academic skill development programming.  Communicate with offices across campus, including faculty and staff, to determine the best avenues of success and academic skill development for the students served by SAASC. 

Intensive monitoring of academic progress and delivery of individualized academic support for an identified population of students.   The intent is to develop individual learners to perform at a high level during their collegiate experience.  The student development specialist will act as a case manager for these students and monitor their academic performance at UNC and ensure that they are properly progressing towards graduation and maintaining their NCAA and Big Sky eligibility by continually monitoring the NCAA benchmarks (PTD, PTDT, and all PTD requirements set by Bylaw 14.4).  (essential 50%)

Assist in the advisement and registration process with assigned population.   All changes to the student-athletes schedule need to be checked and approved by the student development specialist before they can be processed.  All schedules and schedule changes agreed upon by the student athlete and their major advisor will be checked by the student development specialist to verify they are on proper degree progress and will maintain full NCAA athletic eligibility; as well as, allow them to actively participate in their class schedule around scheduled practices and additional workout/team expectations.  (essential 20%)

Perform academic needs assessment and assess academic preparedness for success.   Identify student athletes who are considered at-risk based on their academic skill level and preparedness for the college classroom.  Track academic progress and connect the students with the necessary resources on campus which will assist in their academic development (ASA Tutoring Center, Writing Center, Career Center, etc.). (essential 10%)     

Meet frequently with academic support staff and coaches to discuss student athlete performance and evaluation.   Discuss the academic performance of current student athletes and provide success strategies for students who are at-risk of low-performance in their classes. (essential 10%)

Assist with the implementation and coordination of academic success programs.   Assisting with designed CHAMPS/Life Skills programs for student athletes. (essential 10%)

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Higher Education, Special Education, Psychology, Exercise Science, or related field. Master’s degree is preferred.
Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
Demonstrated proficiency in computer technology skills.

Experience as a student-athlete, or previous experience working with student-athletes in an academic development environment is preferred.  Approximately one full academic year of on the job training and experience will be required for a new employee to learn all major duties of the position and perform them well.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience providing academic, personal, emotional, and crisis intervention support.
Ability to work well with faculty, staff, and students in a learning environment.
Experience working with an ethnically diverse student population.
Basic understanding of research methods and assessments.
Basic and practical understanding of how college students learn (college student learning theory).
Familiarity Intercollegiate Athletics and NCAA eligibility rules (Bylaw 14).

Benefits:
Benefits available include health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance, as well as a selection of several defined contribution retirement plans for all full-time positions. Employees at UNC receive sick leave, and other leave options may be available based on position. Full-time employees are eligible to receive tuition waiver benefits, as well as dependents and spouses of UNC Employees who are employed at 0.5 FTE or above are eligible for undergraduate dependent tuition grants of up to 50%. These tuition grants will cover in-state tuition charges. Further requirements may exist. Other benefits may be available based on position.

---

About UNC
The University of Northern Colorado is a public doctoral/research institution located in Greeley, Colorado. UNC’s commitment to education began in 1889 and continues to be a transformational force for our students. According to CollegeNet’s Social Mobility Index,UNC ranked #1 in social mobility (2022). UNC is also committed to providing our faculty and staff with the support they need to succeed as professionals, educators, and in life. Please visit UNC’s Career Hub,to learn more about UNC’s strategic plan, school programs, and employee benefits. Go Bears!

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
The University of Northern Colorado believes diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging is the pathway to achieving an inclusive community and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. UNC supports the growth of individuals who care about race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, lifestyle, age, educational background, national origin, religion, or physical ability – to honor the intersectionality of our campus. Please visit UNC’s Career Hubto learn more about UNC’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

AAEO Employer
The University of Northern Colorado is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer that is committed to a culturally diverse staff, faculty, and student body.

The University will not engage in unlawful discrimination in employment or educational services against any person because of race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, disability, or veteran status. Veteran status and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. It is the University’s policy to prohibit discrimination in employment or educational services on the basis of sexual orientation or political affiliation. The University will likewise take affirmative action to ensure that student applicants and enrolled students are treated during the enrollment at the University without regard to race, religion, gender, age, national origin, disability or veteran status. Such affirmative action shall include, but not be limited to the following: employment, upgrading, demotion or transfer, recruitment or recruitment advertising; layoff, retirement, or termination; rates of pay or other forms of compensation; and selection for training, including apprenticeship. Furthermore, the University will post in conspicuous places, notice setting forth the provisions of this University’s Equal Opportunity Policy.

Federal regulations require that the University of Northern Colorado retain all documents submitted by applicants. Materials will not be returned or copied for applicants.

Background Check
Satisfactory completion of a background check, educational check, and authorization to work in the United States is required after a conditional offer of employment has been made. The successful candidate must submit original transcripts within one (1) month of hire.

This position is contingent on funding from the Colorado State Legislature, approval by the Board of Trustees, and subject to the policies and regulations of the University of Northern Colorado.

Clery Act
In compliance with the Clery Act, the most recent University of Northern Colorado Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report is available online. A paper copy can be requested at the UNC Police Department. This report contains crime statistics and policy statements related to safety, conduct processes and Title IX investigations.

Apply Now

Share

Save Job

Apply Now

View Less Description