Position Title: Student Success Specialist and DSO

Department: Student Success and International Student Services

Date Prepared: Feb. 2024

FLSA Status: Hourly

Part-Time

Standard of Christian Commitment

The candidate must possess a strong commitment to the mission of Southwestern Seminary and Texas Baptist College, possess a clear understanding of Southern Baptist heritage and culture, and affirm the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message in its entirety.

Southwestern Seminary is a confessional institution owned by the Southern Baptist Convention. While the Seminary serves the larger evangelical Christian community, employees must embrace the values and standards the Seminary represents as it fulfills its mission of shaping Christian leaders within our denominational context.

Since this position personally represents the Seminary to prospective students, candidates must abide by the Student Ethical Conduct Standards, our bylaws, and the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message as a condition of employment.

Job Summary:

The goal of a Student Success Specialist and DSO is to support Southwestern Seminary and Texas Baptist College students in and out of the classroom through retention, tutoring, student community building, data management, and supporting the International Student Office.

Essential Job Functions / Responsibilities

• 20 - 25 hours per week.

Student Success Responsibilities:

• First-Year Student Success opportunity planning and involvement under oversight of the Director: workshops, trainings, tutoring, etc.

• Planning and Involvement in executing New Student Orientation: Residential and Online

• Aid in a continued culture of prayer, student focus, and community building.

Retention:

• Day-to-day involvement in managing early awareness alert system and intervention

• Aid in the execution of campus retention strategy and playbook (will include making phone calls, sending emails, replying to student texts, campus communication as needed, additional support services, etc.)

ISS Office Responsibilities:

• Serve as a Designated School Official (DSO).

  • Produce new Form I-20s for all incoming students

  • Monitor and help maintain the status of all current international students

  • Provide immigration advising for all international students

Skills / Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident (Green Card holder) due to government regulations. Proof of citizenship or permanent resident status will be required.

• Must be detail-oriented, task-oriented, goal-driven, energetic, and compassionate.

• Must possess exceptional written and oral communication skills.

• Must have a love and appreciation for cross-cultural interaction.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and Outlook and Must possess the ability to learn multiple new software’s.

Qualifications / Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree Required, Master’s degree completed or Doctoral Degree in progress preferred.

• Valid U.S. Passport

• Successful completion of background check, MVR, and credit check may be required

• Prefer 1-2 years of student service experience and DSO experience (preferred).

Supervision:

• Reports to the Director of Student Success / International Student Services

Decision-Making Responsibilities:

• None

Exposure to Confidential Information

• Yes

Physical Requirements

• Physical able to sit and stand for long periods of time,

• Able to use computer and move about office to interact with other staff members,

• Able to attend meetings on site,

• Able to bend and/or stoop,

• Able to climb and lift up to 25 pounds to perform tasks that may be assigned in the course of operations.

• Must be able to carry up to 25 pounds of parts and equipment.

• Must be able to perform occasional overhead reaching, bending, stooping, twisting, and kneeling.

• Must be able to withstand the heat and cold of the north Texas climate.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear.

• Frequently required to sit and reach with hands and arms.

• Occasionally required to stand, kneel, crouch, climb and balance, walk and use hands to finger, handle, or feel.

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus.