Student Support Specialist III (Prison Education Program)

Total Rewards
Hazard Community & Technical College offers a competitive benefits package and an attractive work environment that supports excellence, innovation, and creativity, including:

• Exceptional health care, vision, and dental coverage for you and your family
• Tuition reimbursement/waiver for you, your spouse, and dependents
• 403(b) retirement plan: a 5% employee contribution receives a 10% employer match
• Vacation/Sick Time
• Work-Life Balance
• 9.5 Paid Holidays
• 2 Weeks Institutional Closing Pay (Last 2 weeks of December) for qualifying positions
• Employee Assistance Program

Job Summary
HCTC is seeking motivated and passionate applicants (from Breathitt, Lee, Owsley, and Wolfe counties) for the Student Support Specialist III (Prison Education Program) position. Applicants from other counties welcome to apply. The PEP Specialist will provide day-to-day program/student support for the Lee Adjustment Center Prison Program in Lee County, Kentucky. The PEP Specialist will work to build and sustain a rapport with incarcerated students, facilitate and support student learning, assist in completion of college application and financial aid documents, complete student reporting, provide college support, and collaborate with Department of Corrections staff ensuring program continuation. This is not a remote position.

Job Duties:
Recruitment/Retention of PEP Students: work with Admissions/Recruitment/ Financial Aid team to coordinate recruitment events to ensure completion of FAFSA, HCTC Application, and Registration forms (include mailing and data entry of student applications/registration forms working with faculty/deans). Assist with federal and state report requirements and maintain required financial and student records.

PEP Student College Support: Meets weekly/bi-weekly with all PEP students. Provides advocacy for students with faculty. Maintain regular interaction and engagement with PEP students and staff. Maintaining at least 3 days onsite at the LAC facility. Ensures all PEP students appear on rosters correctly. Provides tutoring support/connections, disability support with ADA office, and DOC IT staff for any technical issues.

Collaboration and Communication: Keeps all parties informed through intrusive communication (faculty of PEP courses, DOC/jail officials, PEP students, College personnel, and others) to ensure student support with any concerns, issues, or additional assistance in enrolled courses. Participate in all related PEP meetings. Assists the CAO with all applicable standards including MOAs, MOUs, faculty credentialing files, and off-site visits.

Professional Development: Attend required Department of Corrections Training and facility trainings, all updated training as needed; attends college related training; and other specific training related to the position. Provide workshops about PEP to college population for greater understanding.

All other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in criminal justice, Case Management, Social Work and 1-2 years of experience or equivalent of education and years of experience.

Preferred Qualifications:
Master's degree in criminal justice, Case Management, Social Work or equivalent and 3 to 4 years relevant experience.

Additional Skills Requested:
Communication and organization skills are critical to the position.

Employee Rights - Employee Polygraph Protection Act
Equal Opportunity Employer - The Kentucky Community and Technical College System is an equal educational and employment opportunity institution.