Student Support Specialist for Veteran and Military-Connected Students

Under the general direction of the Director of Student Advocacy and Support, this position provides leadership for university initiatives to support the retention and success of veteran and military-connected students. The successful candidate will work closely with key stakeholders across the university to meet the needs and promote the success of students.

The ideal candidate will facilitate student success by working alongside students to develop self-advocacy skills, encourage campus engagement, and provide thoughtful interventions. This role assists in initiatives to further a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming campus environment for students and ensures a positive educational experience. The specialist will also promote the recognition and appreciation of veterans on campus and collaborate with other offices to develop programs that enhance the quality of student life.

• Key Responsibilities:
• Oversee the certification and verification of enrollment for GI Bill Educational Benefits using required VA process.
• Supervise the School Certifying Official.
• Work to ensure that the university meets the needs of its students who serve or have served in the military.
• Interact with providers of financial assistance for military personnel using tuition assistance.
• Serve as campus contact for veterans and military-connected students.
• Refer and proactively connect veterans and military-connected students to appropriate university offices, and State and community resources, to support their specific needs.
• Meet with veterans, dependents, and their families during the enrollment process to help them understand the GI Bill and Veterans Affairs regulations.
• Coordinate with Student Financial Services around certification dates and financial aid disbursement.
• Work with veterans and military-connected students to understand the interdependencies of certification and aid. Coordinate messaging to veterans and military-connected students with SFS.
• Advise the activities and development of Blue Hen Veterans, UD's Chapter of Student Veterans of America.
• Raise awareness and advocate for student veterans on campus and within the community.
• Explore/write grants and work with UD Development and Alumni Relations on fund raising with veterans and for student veteran support.
• Lead and coordinate veteran and military connect event planning for conferences, meetings, co-curricular and curricular programming, orientation events, resource fairs, and additional annual and new events.
• Participate in professional development and growth opportunities to maintain current knowledge of student development and student learning research, theory and practice.
• Recommend and participate in the development of University policies and procedures.

• Master's degree in higher education, student personnel, counseling services or related fields and three years of full-time professional experience working with college students.
• Prior U.S. military service and knowledge of VA Educational Benefits highly desired.
• Ability to relate to veterans, build trust, and advocate for them.
• Commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, multicultural, and LGBTQ+ issues.
• Integrity and maturity due to sensitive, confidential student records.
• Outstanding organizational skills and ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Initiative for projects and development of services.
• Independent judgment to plan, prioritize, and organize workload with attention to detail.
• Collaboration and team environment expertise.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and customer service skills.
• Ability to manage deadlines, multiple tasks, and effective problem-solving skills.