Student Services Specialist

Student Services Specialist

Salary

$49,215.00 - $80,401.00 Annually

Location

Lawson - Birmingham, AL

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

08507

College/Division

LAWSON-501020-Counseling and Career Guidance

Opening Date

08/27/2026

Closing Date

9/3/2026 11:59 PM Central

Campus Location

Lawson State Community College

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Position Summary

The Student Services Specialist is responsible for providing comprehensive support services that facilitate the educational, personal/social, and career development of students; to include testing, disability services, academic advising, registration, and retention.

Salary Schedule C3 03 ( $49,215- $80,401) based on experience.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides academic, personal/social and career counseling to assist students in dealing with obstacles that affect their educational, occupational, social, and personal lives.
• Conducts pre-admission counseling and assists students with understanding and developing a program of study to ensure appropriate placement and retention.
• Serves as Disability Services counselor for students with special needs and facilitates appropriate accommodations based on documentation.
• Maintains accurate records of services provided to students with disabilities and serves as liaison to disability service agencies/providers.
• Coordinates all aspects of the college's testing programs which includes administering, scoring, reporting, and inputting of ACCUPLACER, ATB, ACT and ETS.
• Conducts seminars/workshops related to student success.
• Maintains accurate documentation of all services, conducts follow-up, and prepares summary reports each term.
• Develops and maintains a working relationship with faculty and staff to ensure effective delivery of services to students.
• Assists with recruitment and retention activities as appropriate.
• Develops and implements an annual evaluation plan for the counseling and assessment area and uses the evaluation results to plan future improvements.
• Participates in New Student Orientation sessions each term.
• Serves as facilitator for ORI 101 - Freshman Academy
• Contacts and provides counseling and guidance to students on academic probation.
• Assists with the promotion of student organizations and planning of student activities.
• Refers students seeking assistance to the proper internal and/or external resources.
• Enforces state and federal regulations, SACS and FERPA regulations and other college policies and procedures.
• Participates and leads departmental and college-wide committees.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned by the appropriate administrative head.

Qualifications

• Masters Degree required with a major in Education, Counseling, Student Personnel Administration, Psychology or related field from a regionally accredited university.
• Three years of experience in counseling, education, student services or similar experience is required, preferably in higher education.
• Ability to work flexible hours and travel as needed.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and computer skills; experience in Ellucian Banner is preferred.

REQUIRED LICENSE, CERTIFICATION, OR SPECIAL CREDENTIALS:

None

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS AND JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to represent the College in a professional manner in responding to State Department employees, executives, college personnel, students and the public;
• Ability to take initiative, handle multiple priorities, and complete various projects within designated deadlines;
• Ability to work independently, prepare accurate reports from various statistical information, plan, organize, coordinate, and manage tasks; willingness to learn and apply new concepts; maintains flexibility and adaptability;
• Ability to maintain confidentiality;
• Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing;
• Ability to apply computer skills in systems and software programs associated with the work;
• Ability to exercise a high degree of independent judgment, initiative, self-direction and effectively manages stress associated with the work.

The Student Services Specialist will be expected to work a flexible schedule. This job description is a general statement of required major duties and responsibilities performed on a regular basis. This job description and specification should not be construed to imply that these requirements are the exclusive standards of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions and perform any other related duties, as may be required by their supervisor.

Application Procedures/Additional Information

Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications and must submit a complete application packet through the ONLINE application system (www.lawsonstate.edu) by the deadline date in order to be considered for the position. It is the sole responsibility of the applicant to ensure his or her application packet is completed. Application material may not be submitted by fax or email. If you have any questions regarding the application, please contact the Office of Human Resources at (205)929-3408 orhumanresources@lawsonstate.edu.

A complete application packet consists of:

• A cover letter
• An Online application
• A current resume
• A copy of relevant post-secondary transcripts identifying the applicant, institution,and date degree conferred.
• If employed, all official transcripts must be received in the Office of Human Resources prior to the employment start date.

Applicants who fail to submit a complete application packet will not be considered. Before an offer is made, the top applicants must provide the following: Employment verification letter(s) from a current or previous employer detailing all relevant experience. Employment verification letters must include employment dates and job title and be on official letterhead with an authorized personnel signature. Work experience verification from a current employer may be delayed until an official offer of employment has been made. Applicants must submit a written request to delay submission or work experience verification from a current employer.

More than one position in the same job classification may be filled from the applicants for this position should another vacancy occur during the search process.

EEOC, E-VERIFY, AND BACKGROUND CHECK STATEMENTS:

Lawson State Community College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the Alabama Community College System, including all postsecondary community and technical colleges under the control of the Alabama Community College System Board of Trustees, that no employee or applicant for employment or promotion, on the basis of any impermissible criterion or characteristic including, without limitation, race, color, national origin, religion, marital status, disability, sex, age, or any other protected class as defined by federal and state law, shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program, activity, or employment.

Lawson State Community College will make reasonable accommodations for qualified disabled applicants upon request.

In accordance with Alabama Community College System Policy and Guidelines, the applicant chosen for employment will be required to sign a consent form for a criminal background check. Employment will be contingent upon the receipt of a clearance notification from the criminal background check. Lawson State Community College is an active participant in the Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-verify). E-verify electronically confirms an employees eligibility to work in the United States as required by the Department of Homeland Security.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications as indicated on this vacancy notice and must submit a completed application packet in order to be considered for this position. Complete application files must be received no later than the application deadline. Applicants who fail to submit all required information will be disqualified. Applicants must adhere to the Colleges prescribed interview schedule and must travel at their own expense. The College reserves the right to withdraw this job announcement at any time prior to awarding.

Sick Leave

All regular full-time non-instructional staff earns one day of sick leave which is the equivalent of 8 hours of sick leave per month. Unused sick leave is rolled over to the following year. Upon retirement, employees are allowed to convert unused sick time into service time for the purpose of retirement. Further retirement benefits may be found on this page under Alabama Teachers Retirement.

8 hours per month

(may accumulate an unlimited number)

Annual Leave

All regular full-time non-instructional staff earn annual leave per month. A complete description of leave benefits can be found with the Human Resources office.

0-4 years 8 hours per month

5-9 years 10 hours per month

10-14 years 12 hours per month

15-19 years 14 hours per month

20+ 16 hours per month

(may accumulate up to 480 hours)

Personal Leave

All regular full-time non-instructional staff earns up to two (2) regularly scheduled workdays of personal leave per leave year.

Unused Personal Leave converts to sick leave if not used.

(converts to sick leave at the end of August each year if not used)

Professional Leave

Up to 10 days a year of professional development leave with pay may be granted by the President.

Holidays

New Years Day

Martin Luther King/Robert E. Lee Birthday

National Memorial Day

Juneteenth

Independence Day

Labor Day

Veterans Day

Thanksgiving Day

Day after Thanksgiving Day

Christmas Eve

Christmas Day

16 (5 locally assigned)

Contracted Work Days

260

Retirement

The TRS was established in 1939 to provide benefits to qualified persons employed by state-supported educational institutions. Responsibility for the management and administration of the TRS is vested in its Board of Control. The Boards of Control elect the Secretary-Treasurer who serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the RSA and is responsible for the day-to-day management of the RSA. The TRS is a defined benefit plan qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. For more information visit The Retirement Systems of Alabama. All regular full-time and part-time employees (non-temporary and non- student) who work at least 20 hours per week are required to participate in The Teachers Retirement System of Alabama.

Tier I - Pays 7.50% monthly. State matches 14.57% (effective 10/01/25)

Tier II - Pays 6.20% monthly. State matches 13.61% (effective 10/01/25)

Law Enforcement Officers:

Tier I-Pays 8.50% monthly. State matches 14.57% (effective 10/01/25)

Tier II- Pays 7.20% monthly. State matches 13.61% (effective 10/01/25)

Health Insurance

PEEHIP, established in 1983, provides health insurance benefits for active and retired education employees and is governed by the PEEHIP Board of Control. The Boards of Control elect the Secretary-Treasurer who serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the RSA and is responsible for the day-to-day management of the RSA. For more information visit http://www.rsa-al.gov/index.php/members/peehip

Premium amounts:

• Single $ 30
• Family (without Spouse but with dependents) $ 207
• Employee + Spouse (no dependents) $ 282
• Family (with Spouse and dependents*) $ 307
• Includes $100 per month spousal surcharge Note: The spousal surcharge does not apply to spouses who are independently eligible for PEEHIP.

Tobacco Usage Premium

• Member $ 50
• Spouse $ 50

The tobacco premium applies only to the PEEHIP Hospital Medical and VIVA Health plans. Refer to the Wellness Program section to learn how you and/or your spouse can receive the non-tobacco user discount.

Wellness Premium

• Member $ 50
• Spouse $ 50

The wellness premium applies only to the Blue Cross Blue Shield Hospital Medical Group #14000 plan for non-Medicare eligible active and retired members, non-Medicare-eligible members on LOA or COBRA, and non-Medicare-eligible spouses on active or retired contracts. Refer to the Wellness Program section to learn how you and/or your spouse can receive a wellness premium waiver.

If desired, the employee may elect four options rather than health insurance options to include hospital indemnity, cancer, dental, and vision.

Optional Coverage Plan Premiums

• Cancer, Indemnity, and Vision Single or Family (cost per plan) $ 38
• Dental Single $ 38 Dental Family $ 50

Institution matches $800 monthly (effective 10/01/17).

Duty Hours

(hours vary by campus and needs of the student)

Tuition Assistance

This tuition waiver program is designed for all full-time instructional and non-instructional employees of The Alabama College System and the Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education and their dependents as defined under by policy. The program will be coordinated by each institution for employees within The Alabama College System and the Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education. An application form for the tuition assistance program is available in the Human Resources office and should be completed prior to registration for classes.

Employees/Dependents at two-year colleges:

• 1/3 waived after 1st year
• 2/3 waived after 2nd year
• 3/3 waived after 3rd year

Note: Employee is vested after 10 years in Retirement System. Additional information regarding retirement may be obtained from the Retirement System Web site at www.rsa.al.gov.

01

Do you have a Masters Degree required with a major in Education, Counseling, Student Personnel Administration, Psychology or related field from a regionally accredited university?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you have three (3) years of experience in counseling, education, student services or similar experience is required, preferably in higher education?

• Yes
• No

03

Are you proficient in Microsoft Office?

• Yes
• No

04

Do you have the ability to work flexible hours and travel as needed?

• Yes
• No

05

Do you have experience with Ellucian Banner Software?

• Yes
• No

06

I understand that I will be contacted through the email I have provided on my application for updates on this position.

• Yes
• No

07

Did you attach the required application materials as listed on the job bulletin, including 1) a current résumé, 2) a cover letter describing specifically how your experience and qualifications meet the required qualifications, 3) copies of appropriate transcript(s) identifying the applicant, institution, date degree conferred, and verifying the minimum degree requirements (NOTE: COPIES OF DIPLOMAS WILL NOT BE SUFFICIENT) and copies of applicable licenses and/or certifications if required by the job posting? Applicants who fail to submit all required information will be disqualified. (You are encouraged to double-check your uploaded items. IF YOU CANNOT ANSWER YES, PLEASE DO NOT SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION UNTIL YOU HAVE ALL OF THESE MATERIALS UPLOADED.)

• Yes, all required documents are attached.
• No, I did not attach the required documents. I understand that without the required documents attached I will not be eligible for an interview or an offer of employment.

Required Question

Employer ACCS

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