The Instructional Liaison for Technical and Professional Studies (TPS) Division ensures that the teaching and learning mission of Pikes Peak State College is fulfilled by using resources and professional advising knowledge to guide students through education and career goal identification and completion. The TPS Liaison serves as the primary conduit of information to and from the TPS Division and supports the faculty and staff within the division as the primary student services and advising contact.  The TPS Liaison will manage and coordinate an assigned student caseload and collaborate with relevant departmental personnel to ensure appropriate educational planning to meet academic and career goals. This position provides direction, supervision, and leadership directly to the TPS Advising team. All responsibilities are in support of student success as outlined in Pikes Peak State College’s Strategic Plan.  

The college offers the possibility for alternative work arrangements such as flexplace, remote work, or flextime scheduling upon completion of training and department needs.

Reports To:  Director of Advising & Testing

Minimum Qualifications

• Completed Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.
• Two years of professional level experience providing academic advising or other student support services in a post-secondary setting. 
• Experience with higher education technology platforms and ability to work with evolving technology to meet student and staff needs. 

Professional level experience is defined by the Colorado Division of Human Resources: A position that involves the exercise of discretion, analytical skill, judgment, personal accountability, and responsibility for creating, developing, integrating, applying, or sharing an organized body of knowledge.  Colorado revised statute (C.R.S. 24-50-135(1) allows colleges to exempt positions from the State Personnel Classified System that are determined to be professional level work.

Preferred Qualifications

• Completed Master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution in post-secondary student affairs and higher education, post-secondary leadership, organizational management, curriculum and instruction, psychology, student personnel administration, or other closely related field.
• Bilingual in Spanish.
• Demonstrated ability to work with underrepresented student populations with efforts to close the achievement gap.
• Experience providing excellent customer service in an education or business setting. 
• Three years of experience in post-secondary academic advising working with students on coursework selection and program completion.
• Experience teaching or training diverse audiences with different learning preferences.
• Understanding of the challenges community college students face and related retention strategies.  
• Management experience with direct supervision responsibilities.

Salary range is $50,000.00 to $52,650.00 annual gross.  For full consideration, all application materials must be received by 4:00 p.m. on November 5, 2024.  Applications accepted until position is filled.  

Must be a State of Colorado resident or able to relocate to Colorado prior to first date of employment.

Application Instructions:  Application must be submitted online.  Incomplete applications may not receive full consideration.  A complete application will include:

• Cover letter - Address the minimum and preferred qualifications in the order listed on the job announcement.
• Resume - Reflect experience, education, knowledge, skills, and abilities.  
• Unofficial Transcripts - Unofficial transcripts for all degrees conferred.  Official transcripts are required if hired for the position.  
• Professional References - Provide names and contact information for three recent professional references who can address your expertise and background for this position.

This position may be eligible for a variety of employee benefits.  Pikes Peak State College participates in the Colorado Public Employees' Retirement Association (PERA) contribution rates.

Note: Prior submission of application materials will not be considered.

Essential Functions 

Academic Advising

• Provides academic advising via individual and group meetings, educating students regarding requirements of the curricula, and assisting students in choosing programs and courses appropriate to their goals.
• Manages assigned student caseload including long-term planning and appropriate referrals.
• Maps comprehensive academic and career plans for individual students, based upon understanding of program requirements, student’s life situation, and career and personal goals.  
• Provides appointment and drop-in advising in person, and via phone, email, video conferencing, and instant messaging.
• Ensures that students understand four-year transfer options, partnerships, and other resources. 
• Makes appropriate referrals to other college student services areas in support of students’ academic and personal needs.
• Reviews and interprets placement scores, other standardized test scores, unofficial transcripts as well as course prerequisites and co-requisites.
• Utilizes student records systems to gather information and documents student interactions in accordance with department and institution policies in support of accountability and program assessment.
• Maintains proficiency in the use of supportive electronic platforms for advising and student services (EAB Navigate, Transfer Evaluation System, BANNER/Ellucian, DegreeWorks, and other platforms as identified).
• Provides short-term individual and career advising to assist students with career, educational, and employment decision making.

Instructional Liaison

• Attends TPS Division meetings and other college meetings as necessary and required serving as the primary conduit of student services information to and from the TPS Division and as the primary student services and advising contact to support the faculty and staff within the TPS division.
• Develops and maintains effective working relationships within Advising and with the other departments and divisions across the institution.
• Serves, when requested, on institutional and community committees concerned with academic advising, education, retention, etc.
• Interprets CCCS, state, and federal rules and procedures for students and student concerns related to advising.
• Supports and assists in the development, direction, administration and promotion of professional advising for students in TPS division degrees, programs, and certificates.
• Provides division-specific consultation and faculty advisor training to ensure currency and consistency of advising policies and information.
• Working in coordination with instructional faculty, develops and presents group informational advising sessions.
• Partnering with TPS department chairs, maintains up-to-date program and advising information and manages the creation of program templates in Navigate.
• Manages caseload distribution for students in TPS programs.

Supervision

• Assists with the hiring, and oversees the training, supervising, and evaluation of the TPS advising team, including performance evaluations and terminations. Supports and oversees the professional development of the TPS advising team. 
• Assists Director and Coordinators with personnel matters, departmental and employee training and assessment, change management, and goal implementation.
• Ensures that the TPS advising team is properly trained, utilizes available resources, makes proper referrals, and maintains appropriate records regarding student interactions. 
• Promotes a work environment that provides the highest standard in customer service to students, faculty, and staff, in-person, online, and over the phone.

Equity based, culturally competent, efficient, and fair services.

• Works effectively with college faculty, staff, and administrators in developing and maintaining collegial, trusting relationships for the effective support of students, staff, faculty, and community members.
• Collaborates with other departments regarding TPS program advising procedures, advising technology tools, and advising practices by actively participating on related committees keeping the college informed of best and promising practices.
• Actively engages with related professional organizations such as NCTA, RMCTA, NASPA, and others to stay informed of current practices.
• Maintains proficiency in advising practices by attending training, reading job-related materials, and meeting with others in similar areas of responsibility.

General Duties, Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Cultural competence and demonstrated evidence, understanding, and commitment to the concepts of diversity, multiculturalism, and their application in the workplace.
• Leadership experience with the ability to train and guide full and part-time employees and student staff to work effectively in a customer service-oriented setting that experiences periods of peak demand. 
• Knowledge of college enrollment processes. 
• Knowledge of academic advising procedures and the colleges instructional programs.
• Excellent oral and interpersonal communication skills, including ability to make professional presentations to large groups.
• Ability to prepare effective written communications, utilizing correct grammar and spelling.
• Solid general computer skills, including email and videoconferencing.
• Ability to develop practical plans of action to assist students in meeting their career and educational goals.
• Ability to analyze situations and make appropriate, innovative, and responsible decisions. 
• Ability to work effectively with a wide variety of diverse constituents, including students, faculty, staff, and community members/organizations.
• Strong working knowledge of EAB Navigate, Banner (INB and SSB), and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Access, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint).  
• Ability to work both independently and as an effective team member.
• Ability to develop training materials based on outcomes assessment and feedback.
• Supervisory skills to effectively manage employees across multiple campuses, and provide uninterrupted services to the PPSC students and community.
• Ability to design, implement, and monitor departmental training goals and assessment activities as they relate to and support college strategic goals.
• Ability to work evenings and Saturdays as needed, and travel to multiple campuses and off campus locations.

Department Hours of Operation:

• Monday 8am – 8pm
• Tuesday 8am – 8pm
• Wednesday 8am – 8pm
• Thursday 8am – 8pm
• Friday 8am – 5pm
• Saturday 8am – 5pm

Department Work Locations:

• Centennial Campus – 5675 S. Academy Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO 80906
• Downtown Studio Campus – 100 West Pikes Peak Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80903
• Rampart Range Campus – 2070 Interquest Parkway, Colorado Springs, CO 80921
• Center for Health Care Education and Simulation – 1850 Cypress Semi Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80921
• Additional sites, as determined by Director may include but are not limited to:
  • Fort Carson Education Center – 1661 O’Connell St., Building 1012, Fort Carson, CO 80913
  • Peterson Space Force Base Education Center – 1141 Stewart Ave., Building 1411, Colorado Springs, CO 80914
  • Regional High Schools

This job description reflects Pikes Peak State College’s best effort to describe the essential duties and qualifications of the job.  It is not an exhaustive statement of all the duties, responsibilities or qualifications of the job.  This document is not intended to exclude an opportunity for modifications consistent with providing reasonable accommodation.   

EEO Statement: Pikes Peak State College is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Americans with Disabilities Act institution.  We value diversity, strive for a more unified campus where all people are valued, treated fairly, and possess a sense of belonging.  Pikes Peak State College encourages minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities to apply.