Student Retention Specialist (Southern Region) at ACCS – Elmore, Alabama

The Student Retention Specialist for Ingram State Technical College (ISTC) will be responsible for supporting incarcerated individuals in accessing and completing educational programs during incarceration. This role focuses on increasing retention and completion rates for adult learners by providing individualized support, academic coaching, progress monitoring, and coordination with instructors and facility staff. These responsibilities include, but are not limited to, communicating with students and faculty, assisting students with tutoring and support resources, and providing timely interventions to help students in their academic progress. This position supports enrollment, retention, and completion initiatives at ISTC.

The primary responsibilities of this position are listed below; however, the Dean of Students and his/her designee may assign other professional duties to meet the College’s needs.

• Outreach, coach, and meet with students assigned through caseload to discuss needs, monitor academic progress, and assist with the resolution of academic and personal challenges.
• Responds to early alerts from faculty with outreach to students struggling in classes, offering assistance, and making referrals to promote student retention.

• Monitor student academic progress, attendance, and engagement to identify risk factors that may impact retention.
• Provide tutoring and supplemental instructional support in partnership with technical programming and related studies instructors.
• Develop and implement individualized academic retention plans and provide proactive support and interventions.
• Facilitate monthly workshops and one-on-one sessions focused on study skills, goal setting, motivation, and college/career readiness for assigned regional areas.
• Lead student retention initiatives, activities, and events for assigned regional areas.
• Maintain accurate and confidential records of student progress, case notes, and interventions.
• Handle confidential student information with tact, discretion, and in compliance with FERPA regulations.
• Advocate for student needs and ensure appropriate accommodations and supports are provided in alignment with policies and procedures.
• Analyze data and prepare reports on program retention and completion outcomes.
• Maintain E-Learning Center operations.
• Serves on committees as needed.
• Possesses a sensitivity and commitment to cultural diversity.
• Complies with any applicable guidelines and policies set forth by the Alabama Community College System (ACCS) Board of Trustees, the Alabama Community College System, and J.F. Ingram State Technical College, the Alabama Community College System, and J.F. Ingram State Technical College.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Proficient in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Proficient in the general use of computers and other office equipment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to make independent judgments, problem-solving, provide leadership, and work with diverse groups of people.
• Excellent organizational skills, be attentive to detail, and can prioritize multiple tasks.
• Willing to be flexible with work schedule as workload dictates.
• Understand and maintain confidentiality and professional integrity.
• Reliable and punctual.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others internal and external to the College.

REQUIRED:

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Counseling, Social Work, Criminal Justice, or a related field.
• Two (2) years of demonstrated experience working with career development, academic advising, recruitment, counseling, or related functions.
• Strong interpersonal, advising, communication, and case management skills.
• Ability to work within correctional facility protocols and navigate complex institutional systems.
• Ability to travel to all ISTC educational centers across Alabama. Valid driver's license or ability to travel independently.
• Ability to pass a background check

PREFERRED:

• Master’s degree in a related field (Education, Counseling, Social Work, etc.)
• Minimum two (3) years of experience working with justice-involved individuals, adult learners, or in retention-focused roles.
• Knowledge of correctional education programs, trauma-informed care, and barriers to education among incarcerated populations.
• Demonstrated understanding of student transition, student retention, and student development theory.
• Knowledge of reentry planning and post-release support services.

General Information: J.F. Ingram State Technical College is a postsecondary correctional education institution. Our mission is to provide quality educational services to individuals incarcerated in central Alabama’s correctional facilities. The student population served is diverse in age, race, educational, economic, and cultural background.

CTE / Adult Education Sites
Alabama Therapeutic Educational Facility		Limestone Correctional Facility
Bibb Correctional Facility		Main Campus
Donaldson Correctional Facility		St. Clair Correctional Facility
Draper Instructional Service Site		Thomasville Day Reporting Center
Easterling Correctional Facility		Tutwiler Instructional Service Center
Fountain Correctional Facility		Ventress Correctional Facility
Additional Adult Education Sites
Birmingham Work Release Center		Loxley Work Release Center
Bullock County Correctional Facility		Montgomery Women's Facility
Elmore Correctional Facility		North Alabama Work Release Center
Kilby Correctional Facility		Red Eagle Work Release Center
Lee County Sheriff’s Department
Pardons and Paroles Centers
Birmingham Day Reporting Center		Baldwin Day Reporting Center Lite
Huntsville Day Reporting Center		Fort Payne Day Reporting Center Lite
Montgomery Day Reporting Center		Jasper Day Reporting Center Lite
Mobile Day Reporting Center		Opelika Day Reporting Center Lite
Perry County Reenty Education Program		Sand Mountain Day Reporting Center Lite

Salary Range: Salary will be determined by placement on the appropriate Alabama Community College System-approved salary schedule. Local Salary Schedule E2 02 ($45,220 - $62,710)

Work Hours: Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with a 30-minute lunch break.

APPLICATIONS MUST BE FILED ONLINE AT: https://istc.edu/employment/
If you have problems completing your application, contact the Human Resources Coordinator at andrea.richardson@istc.edu.

Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications indicated on this vacancy notice and submit a completed online application packet through the online application system by the deadline date to be considered for this position. The applicant’s sole responsibility is to ensure his or her application packet is complete. Incomplete application packets will eliminate the possibility of an interview.

A complete application consists of the following:

• Online employment application
• Current resume
• Copies of college transcripts

Application materials, including transcripts, must prove that the applicant meets all minimum qualifications. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable for application; however, the College may request official transcripts before extending an employment agreement to the successful candidate. Degrees must be posted on transcripts.

Application Procedures/Additional Information
The College will not incur the cost of applicants' interview expenses. Applicants desiring reasonable accommodations for the interview are encouraged to request such accommodations when contacted for an interview appointment.

The College reserves the right to fill the position within one year of the stated, anticipated starting date or not to fill the position due to budgetary or operational considerations. Further, the College reserves the right to fill more than one position in the same job classification should another vacancy occur during the search process.

In accordance with Alabama Community College System policy and guidelines, the applicant selected for employment will be required to sign a consent form for a criminal background check. Employment will be contingent upon receiving a clearance notification from the criminal background check. If a conviction for a felony or any crime involving moral turpitude is found, the procedures established for the Board of Trustees policy concerning criminal background checks will be followed.

Ingram State Technical College (ISTC) actively participates in the Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify), which electronically confirms an employee's eligibility to work in the United States as the Department of Homeland Security requires. Applicants hired by ISTC will be subject to the E-Verify process pursuant to Act. No. 2011-535.

ISTC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the official policy of the Alabama Community College System that no person shall, on the grounds of race, color, disability, gender, religion, creed, national origin, or age, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program, activity or employment. ISTC will make reasonable accommodations for qualified candidates or employees. ISTC reserves the right to withdraw this job announcement at any time before the awarding.