Sierra College Looking for LIFE Program Specialist Full Time

LIFE Program Specialist

Salary: $30.08 Hourly

Job Type:
Full-Time

Job Number: 2324-00045

Closing: 3/14/2024 11:59 PM
Pacific

Location: Rocklin, CA

Division: Instruction
Office

Description

Sierra College has a strong commitment to the achievement of equity
and inclusion among its faculty, staff, and students and values the rich, diverse backgrounds that make up the campus community. A strong
candidate for this position must have the understanding and ability to successfully support individuals with varying backgrounds. This
includes persons with disabilities, various gender identities and sexual orientations, as well as individuals from historically
underrepresented communities and other groups. Our District is committed to providing strategies for success and proactive student-centered
practices and policies focused on eliminating equity gaps to ensure the District provides an inclusive educational and employment
environment focused on strategies for success and equitable outcomes for all.

Summary Description
Under general
supervision from assigned manager, assists with the development, implementation, and evaluation of the LIFE Program (Learning Independence
for Future Employment) and activities designed to increase program outcome success through caseload and cohort management; provides guidance
and support for students, including community integration daily activities, functional components of program development, and maintenance of
individual service plans; leads the transition planning and implementation process; enhances student success with programs and services,
including coaching, support and follow-up, progress check-in, and proactive connection and referrals to resources and services, including,
but not limited to, job exploration, work experiences, and competitive integrated employment opportunities; and collects data for program
evaluation, longitudinal studies, and research projects.

Need Help With Your Online Account?

• Use the online Help Guide or contact the NEOED Applicants Support Line at 855-524-5627 if you need
  assistance with your online applicant account.
• Applicant Support is available between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday
  through Friday.

Examples Of Functions and Tasks

Representative
Duties
The following duties are typical for this job classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or
may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business
practices.

1. Works with program manager on the implementation and development of the functional
   component of the program; develops independent living and community integration plans for LIFE students; observes and participates in the
   evaluation of program participants and communicates behavior needs of individual students to program manager; collects data and surveys from
   students for program evaluation; trains and assists students in the maintenance and care of program equipment and facilities; transport
   students to outings, as needed; responsible for student safety and welfare while assigned to the LIFE program, including assisting students
   with taking medications on schedule and in appropriate dosages, administering CPR and First Aid, if necessary, and reporting
   emergencies.
2. Develops, coordinates, and implements complex multi-level case management strategies to provide support for students
   based on needs of a diverse student population; utilizes student data and case management software to conduct coordinated email, call, and
   text campaigns to assess and address student retention, persistence, and completion; reviews student records to ensure progress towards
   academic and career goals; conducts and analyzes student needs assessments.
3. Maintains case notes of student interactions and
   generates performance reports summarizing student progress; updates the programs’ and related databases, as needed; ensures accurate
   reporting of data related to students served, progress, academic/functional component outcomes, and employment/transition outcomes; assists
   with providing data, as requested.
4. Generates and responds to referrals from the program manager and the District’s student case
   management system; meets with students in-person, by phone, or virtually to assess student needs.
5. Works proactively and efficiently
   to provide appropriate resources, information, and referrals to students; provides information regarding District services and programs,
   including, but not limited to, enrollment, registration, financial aid, educational pathways and programs, academic supports, student
   services, job exploration activities, work experience, housing searches, community connections, and transition of services and home plans;
   connects students with opportunities for campus engagement and clubs based upon students’ personal and educational interests and goals;
   connects students with opportunities for on and off campus employment, and finding and retaining competitive integrated employment.
6. Provides support services to implement retention and completion efforts; fosters student success and academic development, including
   critical thinking, problem solving, and self-advocacy skills; coaches students to use student success skills, including time management,
   calendaring, organization, and communication.
7. Plans, coordinates, and delivers equitable retention activities for LIFE students
   using case management methods based on data reporting and best practices for students, including trauma-informed and culturally responsive
   methods.
8. Monitors, tracks, and maintains institutional accountability for student progress in caseload; proactively communicates
   and connects with students to help them meet defined momentum points, including, but not limited to, completing financial aid documents,
   accessing counseling appointments and services, attending workshops, receiving basic aid, utilizing academic supports, and attending student
   engagement events.
9. Collaborates with local employers, community-based organizations, intermediaries, system partners (i.e.,
   housing, employment, etc.), the Alta California Regional Center, and District staff to implement the LIFE program and to offer
   educational-functional, holistic support, training, and engagement opportunities for the LIFE program student cohort and the individual
   needs of students.
10. Collaborates with other student services and instructional departments to plan, coordinate, and deliver
    proactive support for students; connects LIFE students with counselors for educational planning, as well as personal and crisis counseling
    appointments, as needed.
11. Plans, coordinates, implements, and evaluates events, including tabling, workshops, and presentations;
    provides coordination and planning, including, but not limited to, staffing, logistics, supplies, and catering; partners with other
    departments to develop, coordinate, and conduct transition workshops and activities for students; develops materials and implements
    workshops from Learn4Independence and assists in the modification of L4I objectives to align with individual student need.
12. Oversees
    one or more assigned support and service initiatives, including, but not limited to, orientation activities to connect students to programs
    and services.
13. Provides administrative support, including composing correspondence and scheduling meetings, appointments, and
    facilities reservations; researches and makes recommendations regarding best practices, models, and methods for providing services to
    students; aids in planning and developing department objectives and initiatives; develops and implements procedures and policies; ensures
    department and training materials are current and available for use; maintains and provides department information, announcements, resource
    materials, and other forms of communication regarding department events, activities, programs, and initiatives for dissemination.
14. Provides onboarding support, general work training, guidance, supervision assistance, and directs activities of students or temporary
    employees.
15. Performs related duties that support the overall objective of the position.

Minimum
Qualifications

Education and Experience Guidelines
Any combination of education and
experience that demonstrates the required above knowledge and abilities is qualifying. Examples of ways to obtain the above knowledge and
abilities could include, but are not limited to, the following:

Education/Training

• Two years of coursework from a college or university.

Experience

• Two years of experience providing program support services to students, community members, individuals with disabilities or
  lived experiences, or related experience.

License/Certificate – Possession of, or ability to obtain
within a reasonable timeframe, each of the following:

• Valid California Driver’s
  License.
• Basic Life Support certificate for health care providers, including CPR, AED, and obstructed airway.
• Bloodborne
  Pathogens Exposure Control Program Certificate.
• First Aid Certificate.

QUALIFICATIONS
The
following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in
order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:

• Sierra
  College and operations of student services offices.
• Collaborative problem solving and conflict resolution techniques.
• Culturally inclusive and equity minded practices and strategies.
• Historically underrepresented and disproportionately impacted
  student needs in higher education.
• External and public agencies, services, and resources.
• Federal, state, and local
  resources and services for individuals with disabilities.
• Medical triage and treatment protocols, including mental health
  referrals, first aid, and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
• Federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations regarding
  support of students, including, but not limited to, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), the Family Educational
  Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Lanterman Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
• Referral agencies, services, and departments on and off campus.
• Principles, practices, and techniques of marketing, public
  speaking, and outreach.
• Basic research methods and data analysis techniques.
• English usage, grammar, spelling,
  punctuation, and vocabulary.

Ability to:

• Perform technical and
  operational duties to support students, including providing complex case management services and sensitivity to individuals students from
  varying diverse backgrounds.
• Maintain accurate written case management records.
• Process and disseminate information
  accurately and clearly; synthesize information to develop an appropriate plan of action.
• Analyze and resolve confidential,
  difficult, and sensitive situations.
• Coordinate and conduct workshops, seminars, special events, presentations, and
  orientations.
• Screen, interview, and assess the needs of students and clients.
• Develop rapport with students who have
  intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Use tack and good judgment in decisions regarding students’ unique needs and
  challenges.
• Perform or provide basic to urgent patient triage over the phone and in person, including mental health referrals,
  first aid, and CPR.
• Maintain current, accurate, and confidential records and files.
• Properly handle difficult, sensitive,
  and confidential situations and materials.
• Use sound judgment in recognizing scope of authority.
• Plan and organize work to
  meet changing priorities and deadlines with frequent interruptions and a high degree of public contact.
• Utilize office procedures,
  methods, and equipment, including computers, technology, and applicable software applications sufficiently to perform the duties of the
  classification such as database management and student information systems.
• Adapt to changing technologies and learn functionality
  of new equipment and systems.
• Maintain confidentiality of information.
• Follow oral and written directions.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Provide onboarding support, general work training, guidance,
  supervision assistance, and direct activities of students or temporary employees.
• Establish and maintain effective working
  relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Work with and show sensitivity to a diverse student population from a
  wide range of ethnic, socio- economic, gender, sexuality, and accessibility backgrounds.
• Work independently and
  collaboratively.
• Apply District policies and procedures.

Physical Demands And Working
Environment
The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the
essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job
functions.

Environment: Work is performed primarily in a standard office setting; risk of exposure to blood
borne and/or other pathogens. Position may be required to work evenings, nights, and weekends.

Physical: Primary
functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to
occasionally walk, stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; to
operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination, including use of a computer keyboard; and to verbally
communicate to exchange information.

Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction; vision
sufficient to read computer screens and printed documents; and to operate assigned equipment.

Hearing: Hear in the
normal audio range with or without correction.

Supplemental Information

WHY SIERRA?

• One of Aspen Institute’s Top 150 Community Colleges in the nation
• The
  Accrediting Commission recognized Sierra “for its exemplary practice of providing personnel with opportunities for continued professional
  development in order to meet its mission.” This includes providing students and employees with a robust set of programs, events, and
  conferences related to equity-mindedness and supporting the success of our students, etc.
• Public Employee’s Retirement System
  (PERS)
• 18 paid holidays (including extended time off during the winter break)
• 12 accrued paid vacation days per year
  (vacation accrual increases over time)
• Competitive benefits package
• Flexible work schedules may be available
• Currently during summers, some employee groups participate in 4×10 schedules
• Qualifying Employer for Public Service Loan
  Forgiveness (in most cases)

Sierra College is a Community College located near Sacramento, California where a heavy emphasis
is placed on academic excellence and student success. Since its founding in 1936, Sierra College has focused on quality instruction and
meeting the evolving needs of the students and communities that it serves. The Sierra Community College District covers more than 3,200
square miles and serves the Northern California foothill counties of Placer and Nevada, as well as parts of El Dorado and Sacramento. We
serve over 16,000 students throughout the region in both on-ground and online courses, including students at our main Rocklin Campus as well
as at three centers located in Grass Valley, Tahoe/Truckee, and Roseville. Our District prides itself on academic excellence.

Sierra
College has a strong commitment to the achievement of equity and inclusion among its faculty, staff, and students and values the rich,
diverse backgrounds that make up the campus community. A strong candidate for this position must demonstrate a profound understanding of and
experience with successfully supporting individuals with varying backgrounds. This includes persons with disabilities, various gender
identities and sexual orientations, as well as individuals from historically underrepresented communities and other groups. Our District is
committed to providing strategies for success and proactive student-centered practices and policies focused on eliminating equity gaps to
ensure the District provides an inclusive educational and employment environment focused on strategies for success and equitable outcomes
for all.

As an institution, Sierra College is committed to eliminating the equity gap in all student populations with dynamic,
learner-centered practices and policies that fully engage the college community. The ideal candidate will share the College’s commitment to
helping its racially and socioeconomically diverse students succeed in their degree and career objectives. Currently, Sierra College enrolls
16,500 students per term, where approximately: 24% of Sierra College’s students are Latin(o)(a)(x)(e), 3% are African-American, 2% are
Filipino, 6% are Asian-American, 7% are multiracial and 55% are White.

The successful candidate will join a College dedicated to the
use of culturally responsive strategies and methods that meet the varying needs of our students, faculty, staff, and surrounding community.
Sierra College demonstrates its commitment to equity by supporting ongoing professional development for students, faculty, and staff. These
opportunities include trainings and workshops on equity and inclusion, active Academic Senate standing committees concerned with student
success and equity, a Presidential Equity Advisory Committee (PEAC), culturally responsive student engagement centers, support for our
undocumented and AB540 students, campus-wide equity summits, a robust set of programs, events, and conferences related to equity-mindedness
and supporting the success of our diverse students.

Need Help With Your Online Account?

• Use the online Help Guide or contact the NEOED Applicants Support Line at 855-524-5627 if you need
  assistance with your online applicant account.
• Applicant Support is available between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday
  through Friday.

Helpful Tip:
Please note that as described above a strong candidate for this position
must demonstrate a profound understanding of and experience with successfully supporting individuals with varying backgrounds; and
therefore, hiring committees assess candidates for these knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Applicants may want to consider
incorporating culturally-inclusive/equity-minded strategies practiced and/or evidence of the responsiveness to and understanding of the
racial, socioeconomic, and cultural diversity of community college student populations throughout their application materials (including
application and documents uploaded, if any).

Please see the Sierra College website for additional helpful tips and tools for prospective applicants.

Travel expenses may be partially
reimbursed for candidates traveling beyond a 150 mile radius for second round interviews. All other travel expenses will be borne by the
candidate (if in person interviews).

Terms and Conditions of Employment:

Other terms and
conditions of employment are specified in the applicable collective bargaining agreements on file in the District Human Resources
Department. Position description of record on file in the Human Resources Department.

*Sierra Community College District currently
operates campuses in Rocklin, Roseville, Truckee and Grass Valley. In its management of a multi-campus environment, the District reserves
right of assignment including the right to change assignment locations and shift assignments based on District need. Although this position
may currently reside at the Rocklin campus, the assignment location may be subject to change as needed. Additionally, the district reserves
the right to cancel, revise or re-announce this position as well as any and all positions at any time.

EEO/TITLE IX EMPLOYER
Sierra College is an equal employment opportunity
employer committed to nondiscrimination and the achievement of diversity and equity among its faculty, staff, and
students.

Persons with inquiries about the application of Title IX and/or EEO may contact the Director of Diversity, EEO
& Title IX (Title IX Coordinator) at the address below, at (916) 660-7006 or via email at [email protected].

Pers ons with questions regarding reasonable accommodation of physical and other
disabilities should contact the Sierra College Human Resources Department at (916) 660-7105.

If you have limitations hearing or
speaking, the State of California offers a specially-trained Communications Assistant (CA) that can relay telephone conversations for all of
your calls. Dial 711 to reach the California Relay Service (CRS). Dialing 711 is for everyone, not just those who have difficulty hearing on
a standard phone. If you prefer having your calls immediately answered in your mode of communication, dial one of the toll-free modality and
language-specific numbers below. The call will be routed to the CRS provider.

TTY/VCO/HCO to Voice
English
1-800-735-2929
Spanish 1-800-855-3000

Voice to TTY/VCO/HCO
English 1-800-735-2922
Spanish
1-800-855-3000

From or to Speech-to- Speech
English & Spanish
1-800-854-7784

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