Torero Connect Counselor

Details•San Diego, CA

About The Position

Torero Connect Counselor (TCC) will serve as part of a tightly integrated system of support for first year, second year and new transfer students. In conjunction with campus partners, which includes faculty/academic advisors, TCC will help ensure that students have access to information and resources on a timely basis, enhancing retention, student success, and students’ ability to navigate the USD Student Experience. Trained as a coach, Torero Connect Counselor will serve as a primary point of contact for each student in their respective cohorts. In addition to providing information and connecting students to resources, this position will trouble-shoot and assist students with questions related to non-academic matters including financial aid, student accounts, course registration, housing, campus card, wellness, tutoring, student life, academic support, basic needs, university policies and other student support areas. The TCC will be responsible for meeting with their case load of students during the semester and coaching students to develop skills that facilitate empowerment, self-reliance and confidence.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
Two years of experience working with high school and/or college/university students required.
Strong interpersonal skills.
Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Experience working with diverse populations.
Excellent customer service skills including, but not limited to, listening, and oral and written communication.
Ability to make decisions independently after careful review of data.
Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively as a team member.
Excellent organizational and communication skills.

Nice To Haves

Master’s Degree in counseling, education, or related field preferred.
Three or more years of work experience in a university setting or equivalent.
Salesforce experience.
Banner experience.
Familiarity with Google Suite (e.g. Google docs, spreadsheets, drive, etc.)
Knowledge of the theories and practice of counseling, learning, and student development.
Student-centered and ability to hold students accountable.
Ability to interpret and implement policies and procedures.
Skilled in time management.
Ability to develop positive mentoring/coaching relationships with a diverse student population.
Ability to communicate effectively, whether oral or written.
Highly developed emotional intelligence and empathy.

Responsibilities

Serves as a primary and dedicated point of contact for assigned student cohort, ensure a comprehensive understanding of and access to resources and information.
Provides general consultation, guidance, and support to students across a wide array of issues related to students’ success.
Responds to basic questions related to campus resources, including financial aid, student accounts, registrar, housing, campus card, wellness, tutoring, student success center, academic support, student life, basic needs, university policies, etc.
Responsible for maintaining and nurturing an individual case load of students.
Meets individually with students as a way of building relationships and signaling accessibility. Meetings include initial introductory meetings and tailored follow-up meetings as needed dependent upon students’ needs.
Serves as a student advocate, takes initiative to follow through on inquiries and resolve issues.
Engages proactively with students and serves as the main point of contact on problem-solving and resolution of general issues and matters, including financial, residential, student life, etc. Escalate issues to appropriate office when needed.
Advocates for student throughout the duration of resolution process and assists with keeping students informed.
Seeks to understand and recognize the challenges faced by diverse student groups, particularly those students belonging to marginalized communities and serves all students with cultural sensitivity and compassion.
Develops rapport and welcoming environments for students to enhance academic skills, coping techniques, stress management, resiliency, and self-reliance.
Works to create a supportive and welcoming environment where students feel comfortable seeking assistance and guidance.
Responsible for developing communications and programming that promote a holistic, inclusive, and equitable student support ecosystem.
Surveys, analyzes, and documents resources available to students, particularly those related to academic support, wellness, career development, basic needs, and skill development.
Leads the development of programs and connecting students to resources which focus on developing skills and characteristics of empowerment, self-reliance, and confidence.
In partnership with connected departments, identifies consolidates, and outlines applicable and appropriate resources for students into comprehensive and effective communications and materials.
Conducts targeted outreach when appropriate to introduce a wide array of resources to students, with the aim of creating awareness and accessibility to information.
Ensures students are well informed and empowered to make informed choices to leverage resources while navigating their USD Student Experience.
Fosters the retention and success of students through coaching and mentoring.
Coaches and mentors students on skill development, character building, and ability to identify and utilize available resources, including experiential resources.
Offers comprehensive guidance and support with the aim of fostering a holistic understanding of and approach to students’ personal and academic success.
Develops and/or refines expertise in supporting students from specific demographic groups, such as underrepresented students of color and first-generation students.
Collaborates and works closely with and a wide array of campus partners to maintain an understanding of student needs, resources, and priorities throughout the academic year.
Develops communication timelines to ensure that all students in their network are counseled on available resources at the appropriate time.
Coordinates with the TCC group on the creation and execution of a communication strategy to keep students engaged and informed.
Creates and implements strategies focused on incentivizing student participation.
Serving as liaison to campus partners, advocates and follows up to help ensure students’ questions are answered and issues are resolved satisfactorily and in a timely manner.
Makes referrals and follows up, as necessary.
Assists with identifying barriers to student success and helps students develop tailored action plans, applying in-depth knowledge of resources and pathways to success
Individually and in concert with PCA Team, engages with students in systematic and organic ways, as appropriate and tailored to student needs.
Supports parent inquiries.
Provides unsurpassed internal and external customer service by demonstrating effective listening, diplomacy, availability, and timely response to all inquiries.
Creates and implements effective and inclusive communications campaigns and strategies to most effectively serve students.
Engages in regular meetings with the TCC team aimed at analyzing current student trends, creating and reviewing relevant reports, and facilitating discussions to enhance student engagement and success.
Engages in training and attends meetings, as required. Training to include workshops to elevate coaching skill sets.
Collaborates with campus partners and the TCC team to create resources to enhance student skills and self-reliance.
Evaluates and analyzes the effectiveness of programming and communication efforts.
Works with leadership on creating, revising, and expanding upon initiatives.
Other duties as assigned.