Santa Fe College (SF) has been recognized as one of the top-rated community colleges in the United States.  Santa Fe College is a comprehensive public college that offers a range of Bachelor’s degrees, Associate in Arts, Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science degree options, as well as Certificate and Non-Degree programs.  Santa Fe College is a student-centered institution with a commitment to open access, academic excellence, and cultural and ethnic diversity. A high quality of life, temperate climate, proximity to the University of Florida, diverse cultural events, and plentiful recreational opportunities make SF and Gainesville an ideal community to work and live.  

Compensation: Salary is $40,836.58. Compensation package is comprised of many college paid benefits including health and life insurance, retirement, leave time, and tuition waivers for Santa Fe College and the University of Florida. This is a grant-funded position.

Santa Fe College is seeking an Interim Academic Coach for its Veterans Student Support Services program: Supporting Every Requirement for Veterans’ Excellence (SERVE). Veterans Student Support Services is one of the Federal TRIO programs funded by through the U.S. Department of Education designed to identify and provide services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. SF’s SERVE program is designed to identify, select, enroll, retain, serve, and assist veterans who are low-income, first-generation college and/or students with disabilities. The program provides support services that will help participants progress academically to and throughout college.

The Academic Coach is responsible for identifying and selecting program participants with the project coordinator. The successful candidate is responsible for facilitating academic advising, tutoring, financial literacy, transfer advising, instruction in study skills, and career development. This position is grant-funded by the Department of Education.

• Collaborate with coordinator to identify, recruit, select eligible participants.

• Regularly meet with program participants to support persistence, retention and completion.

• Facilitate academic guidance, financial assistance and literacy, career development, transfer pathways, tutoring, and study skills development for program participants.

• Track, monitor and maintain accurate records of student academic progress. Respond to at-risk reporting with appropriate student outreach, referral, and follow-up.

• Assist in the recruitment, selection, and training of academic subject matter tutors, coordinate tutoring schedules/sessions with tutors/participants and manage tutors.

• Develop and maintain relationships with SF, UF, VA, and community constituents for appropriate referrals.

• Work closely with SF staff, including VMSS, Financial Aid, Academic Advising, Career Exploration and Academic Advising, to effectively and holistically serve veteran students.

• Facilitate supplemental instruction, including programming in CANVAS, arrange transfer and cultural visits, and develop resources for veteran students

• Assist the coordinator with budget and program support responsibilities as needed.

• Partner with the coordinator to conduct research necessary for project evaluation, assisting in the evaluation process to include annual report, consultant visits and grant submission.

• Provide outreach to students through class presentations, college events, and other initiatives. Some initiatives might include night and/or weekend commitments.

• Engage in ongoing professional development to maintain currency in the field.

• Provides and promotes service excellence through courteous, informed, accessible and professional engagement.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Reports to: Coordinator, Veterans Student Support Services  

Required:  A Bachelor’s degree in education, counseling, guidance, social work, psychology, management or a similar discipline. Military experience of either honorably serving in the military or serving those who have served. Candidates must have at least (2) two years of experience in implementing an SSS or similar program targeting veteran students with (2) two years of concurrent experience in counseling, academic advising, and/or social/motivational activities.

Additional Requirements: Must possess a valid Florida Driver License and be authorized to drive for the college (Driving Requirements).The ability to lift a minimum of 25 lbs. CPR and BLS (Basic Life Support) certification is required. A criminal background check will be conducted.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

• Analytical Aptitude & Problem Solving - able to analyze information, problems, situations, practices and/or procedures, collect and interpret data, reason logically, establish facts, identify and define existing and potential issues, recognize the interrelationships among elements, draw valid conclusions, develop recommendations, as well as alternative courses of action, select appropriate course, follow up, and evaluate.

• Leadership – has demonstrated success as an entrepreneurial, high energy, driven, hands-on leader.  Possess expertise in selecting, training, developing, coaching, mentoring, and retaining a highly motivated workforce.

• Communication – able to effectively communicate in a professional, diplomatic, empathetic, and tactful manner using preferred method and level as applicable to the job. Able to effectively communicate information and ideas, speaking and writing in terms understandable to others.

• Relationship Management – able to personally provide high level of interactive service to others, building relationships and addressing identified needs.

• Systems & Software - proficient level of knowledge of Microsoft Office and/or relevant position software programs.

• Team Orientation & Interpersonal – highly motivated team player with ability to develop and maintain collaborative relationships with all levels within and external to the organization.

• Ethics – able to demonstrate integrity, professionalism, civility, and a high degree of ethics in all job-related actions.

• Ability to work successfully in a multi-cultural environment.

Application Process:  All applicants must submit a completed online SF Employment Application, a letter of intent demonstrating evidence of overcoming barriers experienced by low income and first-generation students, having knowledge of working with ethnic minority and low-income students, and your military experience of either serving in the military or serving those who have served, an up-to-date resume, as well as college transcripts to be considered for this position. If you are a Veteran, please upload your DD-214. Unofficial transcripts are only accepted for review purposes, official transcripts are required prior to any offer of employment being made.