Student Services Program Specialists

Details

Open Date 06/29/2026

Requisition Number PRN45495B

Job Title Program Specialists

Working Title Student Services Program Specialists

Career Progression Track P00

Track Level P2 - Developing, P1 - Entry Level Pro

FLSA Code Professional

Patient Sensitive Job Code? No

Standard Hours per Week 40

Full Time or Part Time? Full Time

Shift Day

Work Schedule Summary

Monday – Friday, 8a -5p, one day remote work with some flexibility

VP Area Academic Affairs

Department 00051 - College of Engineering-Dean

Location Campus

City Salt Lake City, UT

Type of Recruitment External Posting

Pay Rate Range $42,000 - $55,000

Close Date 08/31/2026

Priority Review Date (Note - Posting may close at any time) 07/10/2026

Job Summary

The Student Services Program Specialists in theJohn and Marcia Price College of Engineeringplays a critical role in supporting a high-quality, well-coordinated student experience from enrollment through graduation. This position assists with freshman orientation, coordinates strategic retention initiatives, with particular emphasis on improving freshman-to-sophomore retention rates, and develops programming to help strengthen student community connection.

Learn more about the great benefits of working for University of Utah: benefits.utah.edu

Responsibilities

1. Orientation & Transition Support

• Assist department advisors in registration labs during orientation and transition periods.

• Responds to inquiries from prospective students (first-year and transfer) via email, phone, and virtual meetings and represents the college at prospective student events.

• Coordinate communications regarding retention activities, community resources, tutoring services, and career readiness opportunities.

2. Retention Strategy & Student Success

• Design, implement, and assess strategic retention initiatives that improve student persistence, academic success, and overall program outcomes.

• Collaborate with academic departments and campus partners to develop targeted interventions, monitor program effectiveness, and support annual retention planning and reporting.

• Collaborate with Career Services, Undergraduate Studies, Student Leadership & Involvement, Housing, Counseling Center and other campus partners to deliver coordinated student support.

• Assist in the coordination of convocation exercises and other student related events.

3. Tutoring & Academic Support Program Development

• Coordinate tutoring, peer mentoring, workshops, and other academic support programs in partnership with campus resources to enhance student learning and success.

• Evaluate program effectiveness and recommend improvements to expand access, participation, and student outcomes.

4. Student Petitions & Academic Exceptions

• Advise students regarding petitions for exceptions to policy, including late and retroactive withdrawals.

• Process and track General Education exceptions and related academic adjustments.

5. Scholarships Administration

• Support scholarship administration by assisting with application review, committee processes, student communications, eligibility verification, and required documentation.

• Monitor recipient eligibility and academic standing while ensuring compliance with institutional scholarship requirements.

6. Engineering Scholars Program Expansion

• Support the expansion and administration of the Engineering Scholars program to retain and challenge high-achieving students.

• Administer and support additional scholar programs such as the Grand Challenges Scholars Program, including semester planning meetings, portfolio review and certification, Canvas management, and program material updates.

7. Community Building & Student Engagement

• Develop and implement activities that foster belonging, engagement, and personal growth among engineering students.

• Support programming within Engineering Living Learning Communities in collaboration with Housing and Residential Education.

• Serve as liaison to student organizations and campus involvement offices to enhance engagement pathways.

• Lead and manage student organization events including Club Rush, showcases, and student-led programming; ensure compliance, safety, and institutional coordination.

8. Data Tracking, Reporting & Intervention Coordination

• Maintain student success data, program records, and reporting systems to monitor engagement, academic progress, retention, and program effectiveness.

• Utilize institutional systems to coordinate student outreach, monitor risk indicators, support interventions, and manage communication platforms and program resources.

Minimum Qualifications

EQUIVALENCY STATEMENT : 1 year of higher education can be substituted for 1 year of directly related work experience (Example: bachelor's degree = 4 years of directly related work experience).

Department may hire employee at one of the following job levels:

Program Specialists, I: Requires a bachelor's (or equivalency) + 2 years of directly related work experience or a master's (or equivalency) degree.

Program Specialists, II: Requires a bachelor's (or equivalency) + 4 years or a master's (or equivalency) + 2 years of directly related work experience.

Preferences

Type Benefited Staff

Special Instructions Summary

Additional Information

The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS' post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.

This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.

The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education.

Veterans' preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.

Consistent with state and federal law, the University of Utah does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran's status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.

To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX ( OEO ). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator's office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at the:University of Utah Non‑Discrimination page.

Online reports may be submitted at

** report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.

As perUniversity of Utah policy 5-108: Transfer of Benefits Eligible Staff Members, a new hire to the University of Utah who is still serving a 12 month probationary period will not be hired into another University of Utah job (a transfer) until the successful completion of the probationary period.