Student Services Specialist

Rice University•Houston, TX

5h•$56,000 - $61,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Student Support Specialist will serve as a navigator for graduate students, helping guide them to appropriate resources on campus. The person in this position will be responsible for communication and visibility of opportunities and processes related to graduate student academics, as well as identifying and addressing gaps in relevant student services. These student cases include physical and mental health concerns, as well as academic issues. This individual will serve as a navigator for students, offering empathy and referring students to relevant experts. Based in the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, this position will work with other campus offices both on individual student cases and in the development of graduate student programming. Provides constructive advice and resources to help retain graduate students in their studies or to help them transition away from graduate study, as appropriate. The ideal candidate is committed to becoming an expert on existing policies and procedures and is able to ask for assistance when needed, appropriately support individual graduate students, and advocate for resources that benefit all graduate students.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree
In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience above and beyond what is required, on a year-for-year basis, may be substituted.
2+ years of experience in graduate student affairs, counseling, or mentoring.
In lieu of the experience requirement, additional related education above and beyond what is required, on a year-for-year basis, may be substituted.
Knowledge of well-being case management or community-level social services, and experience applying those frameworks professionally
Ability to problem-solve and support or advise students in personal or academic crisis
Strong communication and rapport-building skills, with experience collaborating with faculty, staff, students, families, and administrators
Ability to multitask and manage multiple projects with competing deadlines
Demonstrated understanding of the experiences of students in transition and the strategies necessary to facilitate their success
Experience and comfort working with diverse populations

Nice To Haves

Experience working with international students, graduate students, privacy policies such as FERPA, and case management

Responsibilities

Provide case management for students whose behavior, academic progress, or mental or physical impairment indicates a need for assistance, including identifying student problems and arranging needed services both on and off campus
Identify and advise students needing additional support and provide sustained, individualized, holistic, and developmentally appropriate coaching to assist in academic, social, leadership, and interpersonal development
Assist graduate students in developing roadmaps for success at the University, using varied strategies to facilitate the identification and implementation of goals
Assist in monitoring student academic performance and persistence toward graduation, preparing reports, and maintaining student files as necessary
Maintain awareness of best practices in proactive and holistic advising, student success coaching, and the higher education and student affairs landscape, integrating these approaches into advising practices
Assist in developing student success interventions, workshops, trainings, and mental health outreach programming
Coordinate with other campus offices to implement University-wide policies and practices that proactively support graduate students
Perform all other duties as assigned
Advise students who self-identify or are identified as needing assistance due to academic, physical health, mental health, financial, or behavioral concerns
Develop and maintain a log of interactions and, as necessary, serve as a case manager for individual students
Work with the Director of Student Support to develop protocols for common situations affecting graduate students
Advise the Director of Student Support on emerging needs affecting student support
May mentor other GPS staff in student support, serving as an expert on graduate student policies and practices, including the General Announcements
Identify, propose solutions, and execute projects to address gaps in student support
Represent the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies at Campus Advisory Team meetings
Assist with the coordination of other functions as needed