Student Support Specialist

University Staff Description

Student Support Specialist

Office of the Dean of Students

Elevate Your Career at UCCS: Innovate, Inspire, and Impact in the Rockies!

Who We Are

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) is a premier educational institution that prides itself on academic excellence, research, and community engagement and is actively seeking a Student Support Specialist to join our team! UCCS is committed to academic excellence, professional development, and fostering an environment that supports innovation and student success.

At the base of the Rocky Mountains, Colorado Springs is captivated by its stunning landscapes, making it a paradise for nature lovers. This city is more than its scenery-a mosaic of history, arts, and a vibrant tech scene. We invite you to join a community that cherishes outdoor adventure as much as forward-thinking growth, an exceptional setting for both career and lifestyle.

Salary Range : $44,729.00 - $57,715.00 Compensation will be commensurate upon experience and qualifications.This position is Exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) overtime provisions.

Work Location: On-Site/Hybrid

Benefits at a Glance

At UCCS, our employees are our most valued asset. We're proud to offer:

• Generous Time Off: Enjoy 22 vacation days, 10 sick days, paid parental leave, 13 recognized holidays, and provisions for bereavement, jury duty, and FAMLI Leave.
• Robust Health Coverage: Our comprehensive medical plans cover preventative care at no cost, including a yearly mental health visit. Plus, benefit from affordable dental, vision plans, and competitive prescription drug prices.
• Financial & Retirement Benefits: Take advantage of our health savings, flexible spending accounts, and life and disability insurance. Plan for your future with our retirement options.
• Further Your Education: Avail twelve (12) waived credits per academic year for courses at any CU campus. We invest in your educational and professional growth.
• Wellness & More: From wellness programs aimed at achieving your best self to various additional benefits through CU Advantage, we prioritize well-being and holistic development.
• Want to know your total compensation? Use our calculator to get the complete picture!

Summary

The Office of the Dean of Students cultivates student success through student support and advocacy, educational opportunities, and the promotion of personal accountability and empowerment. The Office of the Dean of Students' addresses issues of students' safety and wellbeing, and we support all students in times of challenge and crisis.

Primary responsibilities for this positions include: risk assessment for incoming referrals, administering academic withdrawal process for students with extenuating circumnutates, implementing interventions determined by the CARE Team, providing support and case management services to non-crisis referrals and supporting CARE Team administrative operations.

This position is dependent on the availability of funding. Funding is currently expected to last 3 years.

Essential Functions

The duties and responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to:

Student Support (55%)

• Serve as a departmental representative of the CARE Team.
• Provide administrative support to CARE Team meetings, including but not limited to taking case management notes and providing appropriate follow-up documentation.
• At the direction of CARE Team, respond to students in crisis. This may include providing resource referrals, academic support/planning, communicating with faculty, on-going wellbeing check-ins, communicating with concerned family members, and ensuring students receive proper follow ups.
• Manage personal caseload with minimal oversight from supervisor.
• Manage low-concern CARE Team cases related to students living on-campus.
• Provide case management services to students who are experiencing difficulties that may include, but are not limited to: academic performance, physical and/or psychological health/wellness, as well as interpersonal relationships. This function involves assisting students as they navigate various University offices and processes; consulting with and gathering information from internal and external resources to support the holistic wellbeing of students; advocating for students and their needs to campus constituents; and properly documenting all case interactions.

Academic Withdrawals (30%)

• Manage most, if not all, academic withdrawal requests through the Office of the Dean of Students.
• Assist students facing extenuating circumstances through the late or retroactive withdrawal process and referring the student to various support measures on and off campus.
• Assess all incoming withdrawal requests for urgent/emergent factors that may require escalation.
• Collect and compile data related to the academic withdrawal process.
• Provide feedback and suggestions on how to improve the process overall.
• Recommend academic withdrawals decision to both supervisor and college specific Associate Deans.
• Assists students in determining reentry strategies after their immediate crisis/emergency is resolved.

Office Support and Administration (15%)

• Assess student complaints for appropriate referral within the Office of the Dean of Students or to campus partners.
• Provide immediate support to walk-in concerns, assessing for urgent/emergent needs, deescalating when appropriate, and providing next-step solutions to students.
• Assist in the data collection and assessment for CARE Team report preparation.
• Represent the Office the Dean of Students on various standing or ad hoc committees as assigned.
• Support campus wide events such as orientation and commencement.
• Other duties as assigned

Tentative Search Timeline

• Priority will be given to applications submitted by: 10/04/2026
• Potential interview dates: 10/09/2026 - 10/16/2026
• Potential start date: 11/01/2026

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

In accordance with the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, UCCS does not discriminate based on sex in our employment or compensation practices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university is required.
• Professional or para-professional experience working with college students (minimum: 1 academic year in a professional position or 2 years in a student employment position).
• Professional or para-professional experience with supporting students in crisis.
• Master's Degree in student affairs, higher education, counseling, or similar field is preferred.
• Familiarity with case management software (Maxient Preferred)
• The ideal applicant will have professional trainings or certifications related to risk assessment, crisis response, suicide prevention, case management, de-escalation, trauma- informed practices, and/or assessment, student success and retention, or supporting diverse populations.

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs has implemented a misconduct history check program with respect to final candidates for specific appointments. The misconduct history check program is intended to allow UCCS to collect and review information about a candidate's conduct at their previous institutions, specifically conduct related to sexual misconduct, harassment, and/or discrimination - before making hiring decisions. All final candidates to these appointments are required to complete an Authorization to Release Information and provide contact information for their previous institutions.

Special Instructions to Applicants: * Applications submitted by 10/04/2026 will receive full consideration.
* Applications submitted through email or surface mail will not be considered. Please apply at cu.edu/cu-careers (job #: 41129).
* Official transcripts will be required upon hire.
* Upon request, please be prepared to provide five professional references (at least two previous/current supervisors), including their email contact information. If you have technical difficulties with your application, please contact the CU Careers help desk at View phone number on click.appcast.io or View email address on click.appcast.io. Job-related inquiries should be directed to the posting contact.
This position does not include new visa sponsorship for individuals outside the U.S. Candidates must already be in the United States with valid work authorization or an employment-based visa. The university will not initiate sponsorship for those who do not currently hold a U.S. work visa or authorization. If you already have valid U.S. work authorization or are on a visa that permits employment, we welcome your application.
Applicants should either reside in Colorado or be prepared to relocate within two months of starting employment. We're excited to welcome new team members and will provide support and resources to help make your transition to Colorado as smooth as possible. Application Materials Required: Cover Letter, Resume/CV Application Materials Instructions: Please identify the job specific minimum qualifications you possess in your cover letter and be sure your resume includes any and all relevant experience to be accurately assessed against the qualifications listed in the posting.
To apply, please submit the following application materials to this posting.
1. A current resume. Must include date ranges to include month and year (mm/yyyy) and whether the position was full time or part time.
2. A cover letter that specifically addresses the job requirements and outlines qualifications.
When submitting the materials, check the Job Specific Attachments box next to each document in order for the search committee members to see your materials. Job Category: Student Services Primary Location: Colorado Springs Department: C0001 -- Colorado Springs Campus - 40356 - VCEMSA-Dean Of Students Schedule: Full-time Posting Date: Sep 18, 2026 Unposting Date: Ongoing Posting Contact Name: Jonathon DeWitt Posting Contact Email: View email address on click.appcast.io Position Number: 00818097