Specialist, Program

Austin Community College District•Highland, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Photography + Visual Media is hiring a Program Specialist who will serve as the department's primary point of contact for current and prospective students. This person works closely with the Department Chair on recruitment, academic advising, student persistence, and degree completion – and is often the first voice a student hears when they reach out to the program. The strongest candidates will bring: A genuine commitment to student success, from first inquiry through award completion. Exceptional interpersonal and customer-service skills – the ability to make every student feel seen, whether in person, over email, or at an event. Strong written communication. This role drafts correspondence, maintains outreach materials, and supports departmental communications. Comfort planning and hosting events, including open houses, public talks, portfolio reviews, and prospective-student outreach. The organizational instincts to track cohorts, flag at-risk students, and keep advising workflows running cleanly. Ease working across teams – with faculty, staff, and external partners. Experience in higher education, the arts, or creative industries is valued but not required. If you care about doing things well – not just the work, but the way the work gets done, and the community we serve – you'll find a home here.

Requirements

Two (2) years related work experience.
Bachelor's degree. Associate’s degree with two (2) additional years of experience may substitute for Bachelor’s degree.
A criminal background check may be conducted if this position requires public school visitations.
Valid Texas Driver's License and reliable transportation may be required if position will involve travel between ACC campuses and local public school districts.
Work is performed in a standard office or similar environment.
Subject to standing, walking, sitting, bending, reaching, pushing, and pulling.
Occasional lifting of objects up to 10 pounds.
Use a variety of spreadsheet, word processing, database, and presentation software.

Nice To Haves

Experience in higher education, the arts, or creative industries is valued but not required.

Responsibilities

Arranges and coordinates assigned activities, as needed.
Advises students on various aspects of the program such as majors, course selection, transferability, and prerequisite for degree plans.
Distributes and tracks student paperwork, as required.
Maintains communications with department chair and faculty in the department.
May assist with creation and maintenance of departmental and/or instructional websites.
Depending on department, may address student issues arising from field observation requirement.
Forwards such issues to Department Chair as needed.
Meets with students on a one-to-one basis when necessary, to resolve problems with field observations.
Depending on department, may coordinate placement and scheduling of Austin Community College (ACC) students in public schools for required observations.
Maintains telephone and email correspondences with ISD partners, ACC faculty, and students.
Prepares and forwards all necessary documentation and background check information to participating school districts for placement.
Depending on department, may serve as a liaison between ACC and independent school district personnel.
Establishes and maintains new partnerships for field observation placements.
Assists with college and department related outreach and networking.
Depending on department, may Initiate, assist, and maintain communication with public school officials and administrative staff regarding school visitation portion of Coordinating Board requirements for ACC education courses.
May oversee work of hourly employees.