Mountain Empire Community College
Retention Specialist, MECC Promise Program
🇺🇸 Wise, VA
🕑 Full-Time
💰 $44K
💻 Project Management
🗓️ September 5th, 2025
Canvas
Edtech.com's Summary
Mountain Empire Community College is hiring a Retention Specialist for the MECC Promise Program. The role involves providing individualized, proactive support to scholarship recipients to enhance student retention, academic performance, and successful program completion by connecting them with institutional and community resources.
Highlights
- Provide personalized support to MECC Promise Program scholarship students to improve retention and academic outcomes.
- Connect students with institutional and community resources to overcome barriers.
- Manage a caseload of diverse students while working independently.
- Use Microsoft Office, student databases, learning management systems (e.g., Canvas), and web content management tools.
- Analyze data to design outreach, retention, and intervention strategies.
- Collaborate with faculty, staff, and external stakeholders to support at-risk students.
- Requires a Bachelor’s degree in education, counseling, social work, or related field with experience in higher education or student services.
- Local recruiting travel required; operation of a state vehicle necessary.
- Full-time, three-year grant-funded position with a hiring salary of $44,192.
- Master’s degree and familiarity with challenges faced by first-generation and economically disadvantaged students are preferred.
Retention Specialist, MECC Promise Program Full Description
Retention Specialist, MECC Promise Program
Please see Special Instructions for more details.
In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth's Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly called a Certificate of Disability) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans may also apply via the AHP if they also provide an AHP Letter. To request an AHP Letter, use this link: https://www.dars.virginia.gov/drs/cpid/PWContact.aspx or call DARS at 800-552-5019, or DBVI at 800-622-2155
Working Title | Retention Specialist, MECC Promise Program
Role Title | Education Support Spec III
Role Code | 29144-SW
FLSA | Nonexempt
Pay Band | 04
Position Number | 299R0141
Agency | Mountain Empire Community Coll
Division | Mountain Empire Community Coll (Div)
Work Location | Wise - 195
Hiring Range | $44,192
Emergency/Essential Personnel | No
EEO Category | B-Professional
Full Time or Part Time | Full Time
Does this position have telework options? -Telework options are subject to change based on business needs- | No
Does this position have a bilingual or multilingual skill requirement or preference? | No
Work Schedule | 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday. Evenings and weekends may occur infrequently for recruiting events.
Sensitive Position | Yes
Job Description
Mountain Empire Community College is a comprehensive two-year college serving residents of Lee, Scott, Wise, and Dickenson counties, and the City of Norton. MECC is one of twenty-three colleges in the Virginia Community College System and operates under policies established by the State Board for Community Colleges and the Local Advisory Board. The College is financed primarily with state funds, supplemented by contributions from the local jurisdictions.
The Retention Specialist will provide individualized, proactive support to students receiving MECC Promise Program scholarships, with the goal of improving retention, academic performance, and completion of outcomes. This position plays a key role in ensuring students overcome barriers to success by connecting them with institutional and community resources.
This is a three-year, grant-funded position that includes the full benefits of classified employment with the Commonwealth of Virginia, with the exception of eligibility for cost-of-living salary increases or state-funded bonuses. Continuation of the position beyond the three-year term is not guaranteed and is contingent upon future grant funding.
Special Assignments | May be required to perform other duties as assigned. May be required to assist the agency or state government generally in the event of an emergency declaration by the Governor.
KSA's/Required Qualifications | Knowledge, skills, and abilities required to be successful in the position:
Strong written and verbal communication skills to effectively engage students and coordinate with faculty, staff, and external stakeholders. Demonstrated commitment to student development and success. Ability to work independently while managing a caseload of diverse students. Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office applications, student databases, learning management systems (e.g., Canvas), and web content management tools. Skill in analyzing data and applying results to design effective outreach, retention, and intervention strategies. Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain positive relationships with students, colleagues, and community partners. Skill in developing reports and communicating program statistics identifying trends in program data. Time management, case management, problem-solving, and project coordination skills to manage multiple priorities, events, and grant deliverables simultaneously. Ability to develop, implement, and evaluate student engagement and retention programs tailored to the needs of Promise Program students. Ability to work collaboratively with academic and student services personnel to identify and support students at risk of losing program eligibility. Ability to assess program effectiveness and contribute to continuous improvement efforts through research and the application of best practices. Ability to represent the institution professionally at recruitment events and maintain a student-centered approach in all activities. Ability to adapt to shifting program priorities, meet grant requirements, and contribute meaningfully to institutional goals.
Minimum required qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in education, counseling, social work, or a related field. Experience in higher education, student student services, or a related area.
Additional Considerations | Master’s degree in counseling, higher education or related discipline.
Familiarity with the challenges facing first-generation and economically disadvantaged students.
Experience using data to drive student success interventions.
Operation of a State Vehicle | Yes
Supervises Employees | No
Required Travel | Local recruiting travel.
Role Title | Education Support Spec III
Role Code | 29144-SW
FLSA | Nonexempt
Pay Band | 04
Position Number | 299R0141
Agency | Mountain Empire Community Coll
Division | Mountain Empire Community Coll (Div)
Work Location | Wise - 195
Hiring Range | $44,192
Emergency/Essential Personnel | No
EEO Category | B-Professional
Full Time or Part Time | Full Time
Does this position have telework options? -Telework options are subject to change based on business needs- | No
Does this position have a bilingual or multilingual skill requirement or preference? | No
Work Schedule | 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday. Evenings and weekends may occur infrequently for recruiting events.
Sensitive Position | Yes
Job Description
Mountain Empire Community College is a comprehensive two-year college serving residents of Lee, Scott, Wise, and Dickenson counties, and the City of Norton. MECC is one of twenty-three colleges in the Virginia Community College System and operates under policies established by the State Board for Community Colleges and the Local Advisory Board. The College is financed primarily with state funds, supplemented by contributions from the local jurisdictions.
The Retention Specialist will provide individualized, proactive support to students receiving MECC Promise Program scholarships, with the goal of improving retention, academic performance, and completion of outcomes. This position plays a key role in ensuring students overcome barriers to success by connecting them with institutional and community resources.
This is a three-year, grant-funded position that includes the full benefits of classified employment with the Commonwealth of Virginia, with the exception of eligibility for cost-of-living salary increases or state-funded bonuses. Continuation of the position beyond the three-year term is not guaranteed and is contingent upon future grant funding.
Special Assignments | May be required to perform other duties as assigned. May be required to assist the agency or state government generally in the event of an emergency declaration by the Governor.
KSA's/Required Qualifications | Knowledge, skills, and abilities required to be successful in the position:
Strong written and verbal communication skills to effectively engage students and coordinate with faculty, staff, and external stakeholders. Demonstrated commitment to student development and success. Ability to work independently while managing a caseload of diverse students. Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office applications, student databases, learning management systems (e.g., Canvas), and web content management tools. Skill in analyzing data and applying results to design effective outreach, retention, and intervention strategies. Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain positive relationships with students, colleagues, and community partners. Skill in developing reports and communicating program statistics identifying trends in program data. Time management, case management, problem-solving, and project coordination skills to manage multiple priorities, events, and grant deliverables simultaneously. Ability to develop, implement, and evaluate student engagement and retention programs tailored to the needs of Promise Program students. Ability to work collaboratively with academic and student services personnel to identify and support students at risk of losing program eligibility. Ability to assess program effectiveness and contribute to continuous improvement efforts through research and the application of best practices. Ability to represent the institution professionally at recruitment events and maintain a student-centered approach in all activities. Ability to adapt to shifting program priorities, meet grant requirements, and contribute meaningfully to institutional goals.
Minimum required qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in education, counseling, social work, or a related field. Experience in higher education, student student services, or a related area.
Additional Considerations | Master’s degree in counseling, higher education or related discipline.
Familiarity with the challenges facing first-generation and economically disadvantaged students.
Experience using data to drive student success interventions.
Operation of a State Vehicle | Yes
Supervises Employees | No
Required Travel | Local recruiting travel.
Posting Detail Information
Posting Number | CLS_3910P
Recruitment Type | General Public - G
Number of Vacancies | 1
Position End Date (if temporary) |
Job Open Date | 07/30/2025
Job Close Date | 09/17/2025
Open Until Filled | No
Agency Website | www.mecc.edu
Contact Name | Cory Darnell
Email | hr@mecc.edu
Phone Number | 276-523-9081
Special Instructions to Applicants | In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth’s Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly called a Certificate of Disability) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans may also apply via the AHP if they also provide an AHP Letter. To request an AHP Letter, use this link: https://www.dars.virginia.gov/drs/cpid/PWContact.aspx or call DARS at 800-552-5019, or DBVI at 800-622-2155
Additional Information |
Background Check Statement Disclaimer | The selected candidate’s offer is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background investigation, which may include: fingerprint checks, local agency checks, employment verification, verification of education, credit checks (relevant to employment). Additionally, selected candidates may be required to complete the Commonwealth’s Statement of Economic Interest. For more information, please follow this link: http://ethics.dls.virginia.gov/
EEO Statement | The Virginia Community College System (VCCS) provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, political affiliation, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or other non-merit factors.
ADA Statement | The Virginia Community College System (VCCS) is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Acts (ADA and ADAAA), to provide, reasonable accommodation to applicants in need of access to the application, interviewing, and selection processes when requested.
E-Verify Statement | VCCS uses E-Verify to check employee eligibility to work in the United States. You will be required to complete an I-9 form and provide documentation of your identity for employment purposes.
Quicklink for Posting | https://jobs.vccs.edu/postings/87256
Recruitment Type | General Public - G
Number of Vacancies | 1
Position End Date (if temporary) |
Job Open Date | 07/30/2025
Job Close Date | 09/17/2025
Open Until Filled | No
Agency Website | www.mecc.edu
Contact Name | Cory Darnell
Email | hr@mecc.edu
Phone Number | 276-523-9081
Special Instructions to Applicants | In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth’s Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly called a Certificate of Disability) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans may also apply via the AHP if they also provide an AHP Letter. To request an AHP Letter, use this link: https://www.dars.virginia.gov/drs/cpid/PWContact.aspx or call DARS at 800-552-5019, or DBVI at 800-622-2155
Additional Information |
Background Check Statement Disclaimer | The selected candidate’s offer is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background investigation, which may include: fingerprint checks, local agency checks, employment verification, verification of education, credit checks (relevant to employment). Additionally, selected candidates may be required to complete the Commonwealth’s Statement of Economic Interest. For more information, please follow this link: http://ethics.dls.virginia.gov/
EEO Statement | The Virginia Community College System (VCCS) provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, political affiliation, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or other non-merit factors.
ADA Statement | The Virginia Community College System (VCCS) is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Acts (ADA and ADAAA), to provide, reasonable accommodation to applicants in need of access to the application, interviewing, and selection processes when requested.
E-Verify Statement | VCCS uses E-Verify to check employee eligibility to work in the United States. You will be required to complete an I-9 form and provide documentation of your identity for employment purposes.
Quicklink for Posting | https://jobs.vccs.edu/postings/87256
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
- * Can you share any examples of how you have supported student development and success in your previous roles?
(Open Ended Question) - * Describe a time when you successfully managed a complex case or situation that required strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills.
(Open Ended Question) - * How have you demonstrated the ability to work independently while managing a caseload of students from diverse backgrounds?
(Open Ended Question)
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
- Resume
- Cover Letter/Letter of Application
- Unofficial Transcripts
Optional Documents
- Teaching Philosophy
- Writing Sample
- Other Document
- Curriculum Vitae
- Certificate
- Video
- Unofficial Transcript 2
- Unofficial Transcript 3
- PDF Portfolio or Website
- Alternative Hiring Process Letter
- Sample Lesson Plan
- Sample Syllabus
- Statement of Leadership Philosophy
- License
- (877) 340-5577
- ats@ssc.vccs.edu
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