Coordinator, Veteran & Military Services (Academic Coordinator)

Position Title:            Coordinator, Veteran & Military Services (Academic Coordinator)
Department:              Student Development
Reports to:                 Director of Student Development
Location:                    Wellesley Hills
Date:                           February 2025
MassBay fosters educational excellence and academic success to prepare students for local and global citizenship, to meet critical workforce demands of communities, and to contribute to the region’s economic development.

Massachusetts Bay Community College values diversity, inclusion, and collaboration. We strongly encourage members of underrepresented communities to apply to join our community.

Located in Greater Boston, MassBay is a comprehensive, open-access community college, offering associate degrees and certificate programs on three campuses in Wellesley Hills, Framingham, and Ashland, Massachusetts.

Position Summary
The ideal candidate will join a vibrant and inclusive educational community, and have a desire and ability to work with a diverse population.  The candidate will coordinate the educational services and benefits provided to veterans, reservists, active duty personnel and their family members; interpret and implement policies and procedures; oversee certification of veteran educational benefits and the Veterans' Resource Center, manage caseload and coordinate activities pertaining to academic advisement for veteran, reservist, and active duty students; as well as maintain knowledge in the college curriculum, academic policies, and advising tools; work closely as a team member in Advising to provide advisement to all students
Key Responsibilities and Duties
Work one-on-one with students to create a warm and welcoming environment for student veterans, reservists, and other military personnel;
Serve as the College’s lead veteran resource; maintain up-to-date knowledge of each benefits program and associated regulations and procedures; provide support and training for faculty and staff regarding VA academic policies;
Advise students regarding educational benefits programs available through the US Department of Veterans Affairs, the Armed Services, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, about the academic programs offered at the college;
Work with the Massachusetts State Approving Agency for Veterans’ Education to ensure that all MassBay programs meet the state education requirement for GI Bill® use;
Provide comprehensive academic advising to all student veterans; assist students in selecting appropriate major or field of study particularly concerning the use of GI Bill®; develop academic plans of study;
Monitor course enrollment and academic progress and maintain detailed and accurate records, in accordance with Federal regulations and directives of VA regional office;
In addition to assigned caseload, assist with general academic advising in the center including new student orientation and peak enrollment periods;
Work with deans and department heads to develop resources/procedures for improving veterans’ achievement;
Supervise VA student veteran workers;
Participate in VA and Massachusetts SAA Training;
Counsel students as to their rights and responsibilities under the various programs, and the recommended processes for gaining full and timely benefits; 
Troubleshoot issues of late or incorrect benefits payment; advise students of the effect on educational benefits of various academic actions;
Initiate the certification process for Federal educational benefits for eligible students, drawing upon detailed knowledge of VA regulations and College academic programs, ensuring that all courses certified are eligible for payment;
Work collaboratively and strategically with College offices, academic departments, and other offices as a resource and advocate in troubleshooting administrative challenges on behalf of veterans, active duty military personnel, reservists, and dependents;
Provide support to students with a wide variety of psychological and physical disabilities, working collaboratively with Accessibility Resource Center staff, and facilitating referrals to campus and community resources where appropriate;
Compile data and reports to complete annual military-friendly surveys;
Arrange on-campus military recruiter visits; cultivate and maintain relationships;
Serve as Advisor to MassBay’s Student Veteran Club; coordinate veteran and military activities on campus;
Perform administrative tasks associated with department activities.
Commitment to Equity: 
Support MassBay’s commitment to the Equity Agenda; collaborating with faculty, staff, and students on the College’s strategic initiatives dedicated to closing the equity gap related to student outcomes;   
Support MassBay’s commitment to being anti-racist; embracing a community free of bias and inequality;  
Contribute to discussion and review of applicable College policies with a critical lens toward diversity, equity, and inclusion;  
Engage with the Office of Diversity on issues related to underserved student success;  
Further the examination of pertinent practices that are culturally responsive and reflective of inclusive perspectives; and   
Engage in conversations with colleagues and students regarding best practices within the discipline or programmatic related to equity and inclusion.   

This list is not to be considered all-inclusive. A supervisor may assign other duties as required to meet the needs and foster the mission of the College.

All employees of MassBay are expected to work collegially and collaboratively within a community that values and celebrates diversity.