Training and Development Specialist

Description

About the Job

The Training and Development Specialist (TDS) is a full-time, exempt position reporting to the Director of Retention in the College of Adult and Graduate Studies (CAGS).

The primary responsibility of the TDS is to facilitate the development of Student Service Advisors (SSAs). Through expertise of existing and emerging advising systems, the TDS assists all Office of Student Success staff with the consistent application of resources. By coordinating online and in-person training sessions, individualized coaching, and regular professional development opportunities, the TDS serves as the primary coordinator for SSAs for the development of advising-related skills. The TDS also actively supports the Office of Student Success Leadership Team with the implementation of technological advancements, process efficiency improvements, and troubleshooting complex and challenging obstacles that inhibit student retention and persistence.
This position requires excellent communication skills, a high level of mastery of advising duties, creative problem solving ability, technological expertise, and a Christ-centered leadership philosophy. The TDS is a crucial member of the Office of Student Success, and is vital to the achievement of goals relating to student retention, persistence and program completion.

A polished, professional demeanor and appearance are required. Hours may vary depending on need and may include evenings and weekends.

About CCU

Colorado Christian University is the premier interdenominational Christian university in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region, delivering world class education to thousands of students. The fully accredited, nonprofit University is located in Lakewood, Colorado, a suburb of Denver.

Colorado Christian University was founded in 1914.  CCU’s motto is--grace and truth. This motto comes from John 1.14: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (ESV) 

CCU's mission is Christ-centered higher education transforming students to impact the world with grace and truth.

Colorado Christian University cultivates knowledge and love of God in a Christ-centered community of learners and scholars, with an enduring commitment to the integration of exemplary academics, spiritual formation, and engagement with the world. We envision graduates who think critically and creatively, lead with high ethical and professional standards, embody the character and compassion of Jesus Christ, treasure the gospel, and who thereby are prepared to impact the world in their callings.

CCU embraces an educational model that was present at the foundation of many of the great western and American universities. It is made up of three pillars—competence, character and Christ-centered faith. Secular universities have abandoned two of those pillars. We think this is a major oversight that eventually undermines education. Furthermore, we believe this classical educational model is both life-giving and greatly needed in our time.

A leader in higher education, CCU has been consistently ranked in the top 2 percent of colleges and universities nationwide for its core curriculum by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni. CCU has had ten consecutive years of enrollment growth and has been named one of the five fastest-growing master’s granting universities by The Chronicle of Higher Education.

CCU offers more than 200 degree program options for traditional and adult students through its two colleges--the College of Undergraduate Studies and College of Adult and Graduate Studies. More than 8,000 students attend the University on the main campus, in regional centers throughout Colorado, and online.

What is most appealing about working at CCU?

Faith-friendly: CCU’s culture is unique to higher education. Where else can you pursue academic excellence yet read the Holy Bible, pray with teammates and students at work, and work to impact our culture in support of Christian values?

Convictionally Christian: As a university, we have an enduring commitment to Christ, his kingdom and the truth of God’s Word.

Live out your calling: We are a traditional evangelical university where you can invest your God-given talents and abilities alongside coworkers and teammates, while having a profound influence on students as they deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ.

Equip students for kingdom work: You can be a part of helping students discover their callings and preparing them for positions of significant leadership in the church, business, government, education, and other professions, as a key part of our University's Strategic Priorities .

We're looking for candidates who have:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university, Master's degree preferred. Professionals with education and/or experience commensurate with the duties described will also be considered.

Two or more years of service as an academic advisor strongly preferred. 

Effective oral, interpersonal, and written communication skills. Exceptional customer service, problem solving, decision making, and creative thinking skills in a fast-paced environment are greatly desired.

Self-confidence, patience, empathy, and availability when building rapport with constituents. Understands and adapts quickly to multi-generational needs and characteristics.

Creative, out-of-the-box ideas and takes initiative to find solutions while clarifying and enforcing CCU’s expectations and policies.

Flexibility, adaptive to change, and teachable; ability to actively locate appropriate resources to assist with unfamiliar situations, is comfortable asking questions, and recognizes and learns from mistakes.

Ability to maintain cohesive working relationships, views conflict positively, and operates with honesty and respect in all communication.

Familiarity with adult education and academic environment.

High technology proficiency including Microsoft products.

Bilingual speaking and writing proficiency in Spanish/English preferred.

Key Job Duties

Contribute to CCU’s mission: CCU provides Christ-centered higher education to transform students to impact the world with grace and truth. The TDS contributes to this mission by fostering the development of advising skills that are used as a key aspect of student retention and persistence.

Train newly-hired SSAs and existing staff in: advising strategies, customer service, student communication (email and phone), degree planning, consistent use of technological resources, at-risk student engagement and support, and university policies and procedures.

Assist with the implementation of new departmental technological advancements, including CRM resources, reporting enhancements, and new tools and train staff on new developments.

Lead new efforts to consolidate existing advising systems for efficiency and advising effectiveness.

Assist Directors of Retention and Dean of Student Services with effective guidance and support for SSAs in handling complex, time-sensitive advising tasks within the available systems.

Develop and maintain all training materials utilized by SSAs including training manual documents, complex student sample scenarios, multimedia trainings, and other training resources, as needed.

Provide virtual training for SSAs through scheduled webinars.

Establish an assessment process for training methodology and effectiveness.

Review new Standard Operating Procedures and train existing staff in procedural execution. 

Participate in committee of staff members in the creation of email templates and communication schedule for strategic student engagement.

Collaborate directly with and support the Directors of Retention, Dean of Student Services, and Vice President of Student Success on unique departmental projects as assigned.

Work Environment 
While performing the duties of this job, you may be required to walk, stand, sit, reach with hands and arms, balance, stoop, speak with clarity, and have appropriate vision and hearing capabilities. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. 

What we offer our employees:

We offer competitive compensation and benefits packages to all employees. Our benefit package includes: a tuition waiver program, excellent healthcare, generous paid time off, matching 403(b) retirement plan, and additional organizational paid benefits and voluntary benefit offerings. Pay and benefits will be discussed in more detail as candidates progress through the interview process.

Colorado Christian University’s pay philosophy is based on internal and external data for pay equity; along with budgetary considerations for effective stewardship. Pay will be assigned based on relevant experience at a range of $45,000-$50,000 annually. We reserve the right to pay an equitable rate that we believe is within our salary structure or that may fit a candidate’s qualifications or experience for the job. A wage range posted is not a guarantee of a specific wage range for a job offer. CCU reserves the right to make pay decisions based on economic and equity considerations to attract the best possible talent. CCU does not determine pay based on sex or any other protected status.

Spiritual Requirements

Committed follower of Jesus Christ, who believes there is no salvation apart from faith in his atonement on the cross, by grace alone becoming "born again" thus beginning a personal relationship with Christ, the Son of God.

Able to effectively communicate personal faith and apply biblical principles and convictions in the workplace. Must have a strong sense of calling to the ministry of Colorado Christian University.

Regularly attend and be engaged in meaningful involvement in a Bible-believing evangelical local church. Knowledgeable about the Word of God and passionate about Christian education.

Must be a traditional evangelical Christian whose lifestyle is in consonance with sound Christian principles, is compatible with CCU’s Statement of Faith, and is in agreement with the Strategic Priorities promulgated by the University.

Review of applications will continue until the position is filled. Colorado Christian University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status. CCU is committed to an environment free from discrimination and harassment and calls on every member of the university community to be vigilant in deterring and reporting all violations. CCU does reserve the right to exercise preference on the basis of religion in all of its employment practices. All employees who work at CCU must demonstrate a spiritual testimony consistent with our evangelical mission and follow our lifestyle expectations.