Student Success Specialist - Designated School Official

Overview and Responsibilities

The Student Success Specialist – Designed School Official provides proactive outreach, case management support, and targeted interventions to new and continuing students, including opportunity populations. Additionally, the Student Success Specialist – Designed School Official supports the administration of the College’s international student program.

Responsibilities:

• Case manage progress of assigned student populations and measure the impact of prescribed interventions through specified case management databases.
• Provide appropriate retention services and programming for assigned student populations.
• Provide crisis intervention support, as well as behavioral intervention support, and coordinate community resource and mental health counseling referrals for assigned student populations based on best practices and by using relevant college systems.
• Participate in CARE Team meetings as needed.
• Work collaboratively with faculty and staff to monitor student progress.
• Plan and implement proactive outreach and engagement strategies to share department services with students and staff through classroom visits, campus tour participation, new student orientation, and other campus presentations.
• Support assigned student populations in developing skills necessary to succeed and overcome barriers.
• Support the administration of Designated School Official (DSO) duties for prospective and current international student population under the direction of the Principal Designated School Official.
• Co-lead department student organization (Empower).
• Maintain reports on designated data systems for all students deemed at-risk, tracking their participation, use of interventions, and intervention outcomes.
• Create and support an environment that focuses on value-added learning and culturally responsive student support services.
• Crosstrain with department members to provide support and feedback.
• Maintain confidentiality, including all student records.
• Develop and implement student success workshops as needed.
• Support, coordinate, monitor, and implement grant activities as assigned.
• Participate on appropriate college teams and contribute to accomplishing the goals and objectives of the team(s).
• Relate successfully with students and staff of diverse cultural, social, or educational backgrounds.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Proven ability to address issues with students and staff related to at-risk, underprepared and transitioning students, and academic success.
• Proven ability to navigate and resolve conflicts effectively.
• Ability to model integrity through self-awareness, personal accountability, ethical behavior, quality standards, and sustainable practices.
• Ability to recognize personal biases, adapt to different cultural situations, and demonstrate a commitment to respectful interactions with persons of various ethnic, cultural, socio-economic, or educational backgrounds.
• Ability to think critically by applying problem solving practices, acquiring relevant information, using technology and other resources appropriately, and evaluating alternatives.
• Ability to recognize personal biases, adapt to different cultural situations, and demonstrate a commitment to respectful interactions with persons of various ethnic, cultural, socio-economic, or educational backgrounds.
• Intermediate knowledge of and skills with technology including software programs for communication, data collection, and decision making including, but not limited to, Office 365 Suite.  
• Ability to work a flexible schedule and travel to various campuses if necessary.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Student Affairs, Education, Social Work, Human Development, or a related field, plus four years of relevant professional experience working with student/client support services, case management, retention programming, or related functions required; OR master’s degree in Education, School/Mental Health Counseling, Student Affairs, or related field, plus one year of relevant professional experience working with student/client support services, case management, retention programming, or related functions preferred.
• Experience with international student F1 VISA/immigration preferred.
• Certification and/or training in Title IX preferred.
• Mental Health First Aid (or similar) training preferred.
• Post-secondary professional experience preferred.
• Bilingual preferred.

In evaluating candidates for this position, the College requires the minimum education credential specified for the role. In addition, the College may consider a combination of relevant training and experience that, together with the required education, provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.

CVTC reserves the right to limit applicant consideration from specific geographic regions when differences in state-level policies, laws, or regulatory frameworks present conflicts with institutional standards and/or fiduciary responsibilities. This practice supports compliance, operational integrity, and alignment with the College’s strategic objectives.The College is seeking to attract diverse instructors and staff who can inspire our increasingly diverse student population. We believe every member on our team enriches our diversity by exposing us to a broad range of ways to understand and engage with the world, identify challenges, and to discover, design, and deliver solutions. We value the ability to serve students from a broad range of cultural heritages, socioeconomic backgrounds, genders, abilities, and orientations. Therefore, we seek applicants who demonstrate they understand the benefits of diversity in a higher education community. Consideration will be given to equity-minded individuals committed to collaborating with faculty, staff, administration, students, and community partners who are also committed to closing equity gaps.

Benefits Summary

2026 annual benefits include:

• 3 – 4 weeks of paid vacation time based on years of service
• 11 paid holidays
• Paid winter break - varies each year based on academic calendar and, at a minimum, includes days between Christmas and New Year’s holidays (some exceptions may apply for essential workers)
• Paid summer break - the week of July 4th
• 4 paid personal days
• 3 weeks (15 days) paid sick time annually for absences due to illness, injury, or doctor and dentist appointments of the employee, dependent children, spouse, or parents of the employee or spouse; cumulative to 135 days (1,080 hours)
• Paid bereavement time
• Paid volunteer time
• Tuition reimbursement up to $2,500 annually (eligibility requirements apply)
• Health insurance for employee, spouse, and dependents with attached Health Savings Account (HSA); CVTC contributes $3,400 annually for a family plan or $1,700 annually for a single plan to your HSA
• Wellness incentive of up to $600 for employees enrolled in CVTC’s health insurance
• $2,500 cash-payment in lieu of CVTC health insurance coverage for employees who have credible coverage through another source
• Dental insurance for employee, spouse, and dependents
• Vision insurance for employee, spouse, and dependents
• Life and long-term disability insurance premiums paid by CVTC
• Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS), CVTC matches 7.2%, vested at 5 years of credible service
• 403(b) tax deferred annuity program
• 457(b) deferred compensation plan
• Section 125 flexible spending accounts
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Professional development
• Certified Gold Level Family Friendly Workplace (FFW)
• Access to expansive collection of college and public library resources for personal and professional use
• Free or low-cost services offered by CVTC program students, such as computer repair, automotive repair, Shear Inspiration Salon and Spa, aesthetician services and 620 West restaurant and culinary pop ups 

Benefits begin on the first date of employment (i.e., there is no waiting period).

CVTC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the college's non-discrimination policies: Tam Burgau, Vice President of Talent & Culture, 620 W. Clairemont Avenue, Eau Claire, WI 54701, 715-833-6334, WI Relay: 711