Online Learning Student Support Faciliator and Recruiter

JOB PURPOSE:

Navajo Technical University (NTU) seeks a motivated and dedicated Online Learning Student Support Facilitator and Recruiter to enhance our online education programs. This role is integral to providing a welcoming and enriching educational experience for students, particularly those from Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs). The ideal candidate will possess a strong passion for education, outstanding communication skills, and a keen ability to engage and support students in both virtual and in-person settings, specifically focusing on the unique needs of NTU students. In addition to supporting our current online learners, this position will play a key role in recruiting prospective students from TCUs for our diverse array of online programs.

This position description indicates in general the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, and abilities.  It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required or assigned to this position.

JOB DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Student Support & Engagement:  

·         Training and Usage of Online Learning Resources: Train students on how to use Blackboard Ultra and our collaboration tools, such as Class Collaborate and Zoom. Offer group, class, program, and one-to-one training sessions.

·         Blackboard Orientation: Ensure fully online students complete and pass the Blackboard Ultra 101 - Student Orientation  Course.

·         Design Training Material: Create training guides and material to help online learning students enrolled in online, web-enhanced, and hybrid courses.

·         Asynchronous and synchronous: Establish and design training resources to help guide students in a web-enhanced, online, and hybrid/blended learning environment.

·         Provide Personalized Guidance: Offer tailored mentorship to online learners throughout their educational journeys, ensuring they feel supported and valued.  

·         Facilitate Innovative Online Learning Experiences: Design and manage interactive online activities and discussions that encourage collaboration and community among students.  

·         Address and Resolve Student Concerns: Serve as a primary point of contact for student inquiries, proactively addressing concerns and facilitating solutions.  

·         Maintain Accurate Student Records: Ensure student information, progress, and performance data are regularly updated and precise.  

·         Monitor and Evaluate Learning Outcomes: Identify trends and challenges in online instruction, proposing strategies for continual improvement in student support services.  

·         Advocate for Student Success: Collaborate with faculty and staff to develop and implement effective engagement and retention strategies tailored for online students.  

·         Work with faculty, students, and support staff to design and facilitate online workshops focused on access to University resources, scholarships, the college transfer process, student success, and other areas.

·         Recommend, develop, grow, and lead initiatives to identify and expand needed support services and access to online students with particular attention to degree completion, retention, term-to-term persistence, and graduation.

Technical & Professional Responsibilities:  

·         Stay Informed on Best Practices: Keep abreast of the latest trends and methodologies in online learning to enhance program quality and support services.  

·         Collaborate with IT: Work with technology staff to ensure seamless functionality and accessibility of online learning platforms.  

·         Contribute to Online Policy Development: Engage in the creation and refinement of policies governing online learning experiences to ensure they meet student needs effectively.  

·         Participate in the Online Learning Committee by presenting reports and updates.

Recruitment & Outreach:  

·         Develop and Implement Recruitment Strategies: Utilize various channels, including social media and partnerships, to target and engage potential online students effectively.  

·         Deliver Informative Presentations: Conduct engaging sessions about NTU’s online programs to prospective students and community stakeholders.  

·         Collaborate Across Departments: Work in concert with marketing, online program advisors, recruitment, and admissions teams to create a unified recruitment message and streamline the application process.

·         Partnership Development: Build relationships with local schools, businesses, and community organizations to attract potential students.

·         Host Webinars & Information Sessions: Conduct virtual events to showcase online programs and answer applicant questions.

·         Data Collection & Reporting: Track enrollment trends, student feedback, and recruitment effectiveness to refine strategies.

·         Scholarship & Financial Aid Guidance: Provide information on available financial aid, scholarships, and payment options for prospective students.

SUPERVISION RESPONSIBILITIES:             

When assigned, the employee may coordinate in work of student workers, peer mentors, interns, volunteers, or temporary personnel.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS:

·         Education: Bachelor’s degree in education, information technology, psychology, communication, or a related field is preferred.  

·         Familiarity with online learning and training methodologies.  

·         Experience: Proven experience in student support, online learning, or recruitment is essential.  

·         Skills: Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and facilitation skills; strong organizational and problem-solving abilities; and proficiency in learning management systems and educational technologies.  

·         Experience in serving as a primary contact for students in online, web-enhanced, and hybrid courses, providing cultural sensitivity and awareness of NTU and TCU educational backgrounds.  

·         Proactive monitoring of student engagement and progress, especially reaching out to those requiring additional support.

·         Perform other duties as assigned.

The Navajo Nation Preference in Employment Act applies to all hiring, promotions, or transfers of individuals into this position. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

·         Online and web-enhanced

·         Hybrid

·         Blended learning environments

·         Student support

·         Orientation

·         Mentoring

·         Engagement

·         Retention

·         Persistence

·         Degree-completion practices

·         Learning Management systems

·         Particularly Blackboard Ultra

·         Online Collaboration tools, including Class Collaborate and Zoom

·         Student recruitment, Outreach and Admissions

·         Community engagement

·         Webinar

·         Workshop and presentation

·         Information-session development

·         Basic scholarship, Financial Aid and Payment-option

·         Transfer information

·         Student records

·         Data collection

·         Reporting

·         Progress monitoring

·         Online learning best practices

·         Accessibility and culturally responsive student-support practices

·         Professional communication, confidentiality, and institutional procedures

·         Training and facilitating student orientations

·         Individual support sessions

·         Explaining technical and academic processes clearly

·         Creating training guides and student-facing resources

·         Providing mentoring and follow-up

·         Responding to student concerns

·         Troubleshooting basic technology issues

·         Using learning management systems and educational technologies

·         Maintaining accurate records

·         Monitoring student engagement and progress

·         Preparing reports and updates

·         Conducting recruitment and outreach activities

·         Building partnerships

·         Using sound judgement

·         Managing multiple priorities

·         Communicating effectively with students, faculty, staff, prospective students, families and community partners

·         Support diverse students in online, hybrid, web-enhanced, and in-person environments

·         Provide culturally responsive, inclusive, and student-centered assistance

·         Proactively identify students who may need additional support

·         Connect students with appropriate university resources

·         Learn and use new technologies and systems

·         Work independently and collaboratively

·         Organize assignments and meet deadlines

·         Handle interruptions and competing demands

·         Maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion

·         Communicate effectively in writing and verbally

·         Present information to individuals and groups

·         Analyze basic student-support and recruitment information

·         Recommend service improvements

·         Establish effective professional relationships

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

●        While performing the duties of this job, the employee will need to frequently sit, stand, walk, bend, stoop, and squat.

●        Use hands for dexterity of motion, repetitive movement of both hands.

●        Ability to use arms to reach and lift above shoulders.

●        Have normal auditory, visual acuity, and verbal communications skills.

●        The employee must occasionally push, lift, and carry up to 25 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

●        Work is typically performed in a library environment with minimal noise levels.

●        Frequent interaction with students and the public.

●        Tight time constraints and multiple demands are common.

●        Evening and/or weekend work may be required. Extended hours and irregular shifts may be required.

●        Work is generally performed in an office setting.  Exposure to video display terminals occurs on a regular basis.  Work pressure from deadlines and daily interruptions of work flow are expected and occur regularly. Minimal physical exertion is required.  Learned physical skill is required to perform keyboarding function.