Director of Veteran Services and Engagement

Description

Recruitment:

1. Develop and implement comprehensive strategies for veteran/military student recruitment and retention.
2. Manages and participates in outreach activities, such as individual business and industry visits, local base education fairs and other opportunities for exposure and recruitment. 
3. Refers between the university and outside agencies and appropriate academic advisors, faculty and staff.
4. Develop and maintain effective relationships with campus departments, community organizations and VA offices.
5. Plans and executes on-campus and off-campus recruiting events such as Veteran Visit Days, GI Bill information sessions, individual school visits, webinars and one-on-one advising.
6. Supports institution-wide recruiting events such as open house events and on-campus visits.
7. Maintains department website, veteran-mentorship program database and social media outreach efforts.

Retention and Advising:

1. Provides walk-in advising services for prospective and continuing veteran/service members.
2. Supports and serves as an advocate for current veteran/service members.
3. Builds relationships with applicants and assists them throughout the application process, facilitating correspondence between prospective students and academic advisors, Admissions personnel, financial aid counselors and academic advisors.
4. Effectively articulates the value and benefits of the university and its programs, including admissions requirements and partnership agreements.
5. Maintain regular schedule of outreach to current and former students to increase participation in Student Veteran Organizations and encourage life-long learning through additional programs of study.
6. Facilitates the processing of GI Bill benefits and other VA benefits for veteran/military students.
7. Monitors student academic progress and intervenes as needed.

Student Support: 

1. Implement creative programming opportunities for veterans/servicemembers that deepens their connection to the university by providing support through entire student lifecycle promoting retention and program completion.
2.  Assists in establishing and serves as advisor to Student Veteran Organization(s).
3. Collaborates with Student Affairs, University Advising, Academic Learning Center and Registrar’s Office regarding veteran-specific programming available for military veterans/service members in the local area. 
4. Works with Career Services to develop methods to support career preparation and the job search for veterans/service members.  This includes maximizing the military learner’s or veteran’s acquired advanced skills, unique training and education.
5. Provides individual guidance to veteran/military students on their educational and career goals.
6. Regularly produce and distribute a CVSE newsletter.

Program Development:

1. Assists in the planning, development and implementation of the Center for Veteran Services and Engagement. 
2. Design and deliver programs to support veterans/servicemembers including workshops, webinars, a veteran mentor program, etc.
3. Schedules, plans, and hosts regular veteran/service member networking events.  This includes veteran seeking employers, veteran service organizations and members of the veteran/service member community.
4. Plans Veterans Week activities in November.
5. Remains knowledgeable of , and provides advice on, VA policies and regulations.
6. Serves on University committees and collaborates as needed.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education, Experience, and Training

1. Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
2. Two years of related experience working with veterans or other recruitment outreach programs in a professional capacity and a background in guidance, social work, student personnel administration or related field.
3. Military background.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Personal Characteristics

     1. Knowledge of applicable benefits and services for students served.

     2. Knowledge of administrative procedures and practices.

     3. Knowledge of internal and external customer service principles and practices.

     4. Skill in effective communication (both written and oral).

     5. Skill problem solving.

     6. Skill in public speaking.

     7. Ability to develop and maintain effective and positive working relationships.

     8. Ability to operate relevant equipment required to complete assigned responsibilities for the position.

     9. Ability to lead, inspire and motivate others.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

1. Master’s degree and five years’ experience working with veteran /service member students in an educational setting.
2. Recognition as a VA Certifying Official (approved by the US Department of Veteran Affairs) for at least one year.
3. Bilingual in English and Spanish (speaking and writing).
4. Veteran with honorable discharge

COMPETENCIES:

Competencies are the actions and behaviors that can be observed as to how work gets done that supports the College’s values and strategic objectives.

1. Student Success: Allows the opportunity to support student success as well as improve access and retention.
2. Regularly attend the latest VA education training to remain abreast of cutting-edge information.
3. Remain knowledgeable of, and provide advice on, VA policies and regulations.