Basic Skills Academic Specialist

Howard Community College ( HCC) is an exciting place to work, learn, and grow! We are proud to have received the Great Colleges to Work For honor for 12 consecutive years, 2009-2020.

Howard Community College values diversity among its faculty, staff and student population. We are an innovative institution that is committed to responding to the ever-changing needs and interests of a diverse and dynamic community. No matter where you want to go in your career, you can get there from here!

The Basic Skills Academic Specialist is responsible for ensuring that every student in the Basic Skills program achieves success through appropriate intake, assessment, retention, and transition planning and serves as the initial point of contact for the learner. Ensures that Adult Education and Family Literacy Services grant requirements are met, and serves as a resource for all program and instructional staff.

* Design and coordinate the implementation of orientation, registration, and assessment sessions and policies to document all learner goals and literacy levels and ensure placement of learners in appropriate classes/programs.

* Coordinate and oversee recruitment, training, and supervision of registration staff.

* Collaborate with the Director of Basic Skills Programs to evaluate and improve the registration process to meet the needs of learners, comply with grant requirements, and ensure efficiency and efficacy.

* Supervise hourly/temporary workers hired to assist with registration

* Represent the program at community meetings to discuss opportunities for potential students and referral sources, present program information, and provide referrals for next steps ( CHPSS, DJS, etc.).

* Coordinate with the Director to develop local policies and procedures for assessment and placement of learners in appropriate level classes at appropriate educational functioning levels.

* Administer grant-approved assessments and oversee the administration of assessments by others.

* Oversee the design, scheduling, administration, scoring, interpretation, and counseling for all state approved assessments ( CASAS, GED Ready, TABE).

* Collaborate with the Director and HCC's Test Center as appropriate to stay up to date on testing conducted by the Test Center.

* Oversee ordering, inventory, and security of test materials.

* Oversee input of student test scores into Colleague and LACES system to ensure accuracy of records and timely data entry.

* Facilitate and oversee assessment training for new instructors and proctors.

* Supervise hourly/temporary workers hired to assist with test proctoring.

* Maintain up-to-date knowledge of campus and community resources and services and make referrals as appropriate.

* Communicate with learners and instructors regarding placement, instructional and assessment progress, accommodations, testing, and attendance issues; monitor students and intervene as appropriate to address barriers to success.

* Research and share best practices for student retention and propose models for implementation.

* Develop and oversee procedures to promote retention of students from semester to semester.

* Collaborate with staff from HCC's Admissions, Advising, Completion, and Counseling and Career Services departments to provide transitions activities to introduce students to key staff members and create awareness of personal support available prior to and during transition to credit.

* Coordinate with Basic Skills staff and instructors; the ELC's transitions team; and HCC's retention team to develop inter-session activities focused on transition topics for students.

* Collaborate with Basic Skills Instructional Coach to develop and refine resources, tools, and activities to improve student awareness and understanding of transitioning opportunities.

* Collaborate with the Director and Instructional Coach on Career Pathways initiatives, as appropriate.

* Collaborate with the Director and HCC's Office of Planning, Research, and Organizational Development to monitor students as they move from Workforce, Career, and Community Education to credit classes.

* Research and share opportunities for transition to post-secondary education and employment with learners and instructors.

* Communicate with learners immediately after earning their high school diploma to identify and plan transition opportunities into post-secondary education or employment.

* Attend state Intake & Assessment Specialist ( IAS) meetings and communicate pertinent information to appropriate local program staff.

* Attend appropriate conferences, workshops, and other professional development opportunities to increase and maintain skills.

* Attend state "Train the Trainer" initiatives and train local staff.

* Assist with the development and execution of the program's Data Quality Plan.

* Respond to community inquiries related to the Basic Skills Program.

* Teach up to 5 hours per week in the Basic Skills Program.

* Assist with planning and implementation of the graduation ceremony.

* Other duties as assigned.

* Bachelor's degree in related field and some teaching experience required.

* Evidence of excellent interpersonal and oral and written communication skills and the ability to work cooperatively with students, faculty, administrators, and other constituents required.

* Excellent organizational, planning, and administrative skills.

* Expertise in desktop and cloud-based productivity applications, including word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software.

* Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.

* At least three years of teaching experience in an adult literacy classroom.

* Some experience advising or counseling youth and adults.

* Demonstrated leadership and supervisory ability.

* Experience in curriculum and instructional planning, professional development, and assessment.

* Experience with the policies and procedures of a WIOA-sponsored adult literacy program.

* Experience administering National Reporting System assessments, including CASAS and TABE.

Directs and organizes work for the registration team.

Some evenings and weekends required to meet student need.

Howard Community College offers competitive salaries, excellent medical and dental selections, tuition reimbursement and paid leave programs. As a participating member of the Maryland Retirement and Pension System, HCC offers two retirement options: The Pension, which requires a 7% employee contribution and The ORP, a 403(b) with a 7.25% employer contribution only. Employees in positions that do not require a bachelor's degree must participate in The Pension. Employees that possess a bachelor's degree and hold professional positions that require a bachelor's degree may choose to participate in either The Pension or The ORP.

*Pre-employment criminal background investigation is a condition of employment.

HCC is interested in all qualified applicants who are eligible to work in the United States. However, HCC will generally not sponsor applicants for work visas. Due to HCC policy, only employees living in states contiguous to Maryland are eligible for work at HCC and include Virginia, West Virginia, Washington DC, Pennsylvania. Candidates must live in the commutable area or willing to relocate at their own expense if offered the position because HCC does not offer relocation benefits.

Please complete the entire HCC Employment Application (Candidates will be evaluated on completing the college's application in full).

Howard Community College ( HCC) is an Equal Employment Opportunity & Affirmative Action employer & values diversity within its faculty, staff & student population. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status.
HCC understands that persons with specific disabilities may need assistance with the job application process and/or with the interview process. For confidential assistance with the job application process, please contact the Office of Human Resources at 443-518-1100.