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Posting Detail Information

Working TitleRetention Specialist for Student Support Services

Position LocationFort Collins, CO

Work LocationPosition is fully in-office/in-person

Research Professional PositionNo

Posting Number202501390AP

Position TypeAdmin Professional/ Research Professional

Classification TitleProf/Indiv Contrib II

Number of Vacancies1

Work Hours/Week40

Proposed Annual Salary Range$56,000-$57,000

Employee Benefits

Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.

+ Review our detailed benefits information here. (https://hr.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/25/2021/01/benefits-summary-afap.pdf)

+ Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.

+ For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator (https://hr.colostate.edu/total-compensation-calculator/) .

+ Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in (https://hr.colostate.edu/prospective-employees/our-community/) !

Desired Start Date

Position End Date (if temporary)

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on10/19/2025

Description of Work Unit

This is a grant-funded appointment that ends August 31, 2026, with the possibility of renewal depending upon satisfactory performance and ongoing funding for your position.

The Academic Advancement Center at Colorado State University is committed to centering the needs and experiences of students supported within our programs by creating opportunities to access higher education. Through a student-centered, strength-based approach, we will foster a community that will support students holistically as they pursue their academic, personal, and career goals.

The core values of the AAC are:

+ Advocacy: We work with and for students to help them utilize their strengths and address the barriers and challenges impacting their undergraduate experience.

+ Collaboration: To increase educational attainment efforts for students, we aspire to work collaboratively with students, faculty, campus, and community partners to provide support, resources, and learning opportunities that are intentional and honoring.

+ Community: We create a welcoming environment that is accessible and respectful. We are positive and responsive in promoting a culture of collaborative learning and success.

Organizational Structure

The AAC reports to the Assistant Vice President for Student Success within the Division of Academic Affairs. The AAC is made up of five different programs: Classic Student Support Services, Student Success and Outreach Initiative, STEM Student Support Services, McNair Scholars, and the College Assistance Migrant Programs.

Position Summary

The Retention Specialist for TRIO Student Support Services Classic & STEM program is a federally funded position through the US Department of Education and provides academic support and coaching, mentoring, and advising for students from first- generation, low-income, and disability backgrounds. The activities include providing wrap around student support services for first year, continuing and transfer students in the following categories: college transition, academic success, financial education, career and leadership development, graduate school preparation, connection and community, and support. The holistic approach to serving students throughout their entire CSU journey promotes retention and graduation. This position also includes supporting the new student recruitment process, including conducting interviews and intake appointments for new students. Additional duties include serving on AAC and CSU -wide planning committees and supporting students during travel opportunities. This position reports to the Assistant Director of the Student Support Services Program within the AAC .

Required Job Qualifications

+ Bachelor’s degree required in education, social work, social or behavioral science or related field

+ One-year professional experience in education, student personnel, human services, or related field. Two years of graduate level work experience through assistantships or internships is equivalent to 1 year of professional experience.

+ Prior experience working with historically minoritized populations

+ Demonstrated communication skills as evidenced from experience making public presentations to a variety of audiences, trainings, workshops, facilitations, or teaching.

Preferred Job Qualifications

+ Master’s degree in student personnel, higher education, counseling or related field and an equivalent of one-year work experience in related field, or graduate level work experience through assistantship or internship.

+ Prior experience working with TRIO or similar programs

+ Experience advising, counseling, teaching, and/or supervising individuals from historically minoritized communities

+ Experience providing students with guidance and information regarding graduate school and career planning

+ Demonstrated ability to relate effectively with a variety of constituents including students, faculty, staff and community

Essential Duties

Job Duty CategoryMentoring Scholars in Student Support Services

Duty/Responsibility

+ Provide on-going and developmentally appropriate support and resource referral to 120 first year, continuing, and transfer students throughout their undergraduate career, including academic success, preparing for careers and graduate school, leadership development, and on-campus engagement

+ Assess the academic, personal, social, and cultural needs of students and develop appropriate plans for addressing these issues. Provide ongoing support and serve as an accountability partner for students as they address these issues.

+ Meet with students regularly to promote the development of essential skills, such as time management, study strategies, and use of campus resources, and assist them in achieving their goals

+ Maintain accurate and detailed contact notes; document student performance using web-hosted applications and local databases

+ Provide proactive strategic outreach to students that may need additional support, conduct twice a semester academic progress discussion and provide intentional outreach to students facing academic difficulty by getting them connected to academic resources facilitated by the student’s college/department, or meeting with the student regularly

+ Provide appropriate referrals to university resources, including but not limited to the Student Disability Center, Student Case Management, the Office of Financial Aid, the Health Network, Career Center, and Academic Success Coordinator/Advisor, etc.

Percentage Of Time75

Job Duty CategoryEvent Planning & Management

Duty/Responsibility

+ Support at least one SSS and/or AAC wide event per semester. Including, but not limited to, securing space and other necessary equipment, managing the event budget, directing and coordinating technical and production aspects, making final decisions regarding set-up, design, and overall experience. Organizing speakers, extending invitations to students and guests, and being responsible for risk management assessment in relation to each event to ensure safety and comfort.

+ Coordinate and plan travel opportunities for students. This includes the recruitment of student travel participants, managing logistics, problem solving while on the trip, pre-trip preparation, and post-travel reflections.

+ Facilitate seminar sessions to support the holistic engagement of SSS participants. Examples include goal setting, learning and study skills, financial wellness, etc.

Percentage Of Time5

Job Duty CategoryStudent Recruitment and Early Outreach

Duty/Responsibility

+ Assist in occasional presentations given to admitted students and their families/guests

+ Assist with the interview and intake process of prospective participants

+ Provide proactive, intentional, and general assistance to newly admitted students which includes assisting students with admissions confirmation, financial aid applications and requirement completion, scholarship applications, on- or off-campus housing, RAM Orientation, and Ram Welcome

Percentage Of Time10

Job Duty CategoryCampus Collaboration and Professional Development

Duty/Responsibility

+ Maintain strong partnerships with the Community for Excellence on-campus partners and Scholar Contacts; support on-campus retention initiatives with special focus on students from diverse communities; contribute to the development and implementation of a shared vision for the Academic Advancement Center at CSU

+ Stay abreast of national best practices relative to mentoring, retention and persistence work

Percentage Of Time10

Application Details

Special Instructions to Applicants

To apply, please upload a cover letter that addresses the required and preferred job qualifications, a resume, and the contact information for three professional references. References will not be contacted without prior notification to candidates.

CSU is committed to full inclusion of qualified individuals. If you are needing assistance or accommodations with the search process, please reach out to the listed search contact.

Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

Conditions of EmploymentPre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires)

Search ContactApril Cano-Garcia [email protected]

EEO

Colorado State University ( CSU ) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Background Check Policy Statement

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

References Requested

References Requested

Minimum Requested3

Maximum Requested3

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

+ Cover Letter

+ Resume

Optional Documents