Job Description
Posting Summary
Working Title
Student Support Specialist, Workforce Solutions
Role Title
Education Support Spec III
Role Code
29144-SW
FLSA
Exempt
Pay Band
04
Position Number
295R0832
Agency
Tidewater Community College
Division
Tidewater Community College (Div)
Work Location
Portsmouth - 740
Hiring Range
$50,000 - $62,000, commensurate w/ experience
Emergency/Essential Personnel
No
EEO Category
2-Professionals
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
8:30 AM – 5:00 PM, to include some evenings and weekends
Sensitive Position
No
Job Description
Tidewater Community College has served South Hampton Roads – both students and employers – for 50 years. It has grown from 1 campus into a regional educational and economic force. TCC is the largest provider of higher education and workforce services in Hampton Roads, enrolling nearly 25,000 students in 2024-25. Founded in 1968 as a part of the Virginia Community College System, Tidewater Community College ( TCC) services South Hampton Roads with 4 campuses in Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Virginia Beach, 7 regional centers and 2 important cultural institutions. The college had 3,399 graduates in 2024-2025, 40 percent of whom pursued degrees that would let them transfer to 4-year institutions. Of South Hampton Roads residents enrolled in higher education 33% enrolled at TCC TCC’s institutional accreditation is affirmed through 2027 by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The organizational objective of Workforce Solutions is to provide high quality training that meets the needs of employers in South Hampton Roads. This is accomplished through open enrollment classes and as well as customized training solutions for employers that are designed and delivered by TCC subject matter experts working in conjunction business clients.
The Student Support Specialist is a dynamic, student-centered professional who plays a critical role in supporting individuals throughout their Workforce ( WFS) program journey. This position is uniquely structured to provide support across five core areas: onboarding/enrollment, career coaching, student retention, and outreach/engagement, and employment support. The Specialist serves as a trusted guide, advocate, and connector—ensuring that students not only enter the college successfully but also persist, complete their training, and transition into meaningful employment.
In this role, the Student Support Specialist engages with prospective students from their first point of contact, helping them navigate the processes of program selection, application, and financial aid. They provide personalized career coaching to help students align their training with long-term goals, and they offer ongoing support to address academic and non-academic challenges that may arise during the student’s journey.
The Student Support Specialist actively promotes WFS programs through community engagement, marketing initiatives, and relationship-building with local employers and partners. They play a key role in expanding the college’s reach, increasing enrollment, and ensuring that students are connected to real-world opportunities that align with their training.
This position requires strong interpersonal skills, adaptability, and a proactive approach to student success. The ideal candidate is passionate about workforce development, skilled in using technology to enhance communication and tracking, and committed to helping students overcome barriers and achieve their goals.
This is a restricted funded position.
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 of recruitment, enrollment, and advising for workforce programs.
- Knowledge of barriers to educational success and a desire to help others reach their career goals
- Demonstrated skill in academic and career counseling.
- Strong interpersonal skills to help engage, provide support to, and motivate students
- Excellent customer service skills, including the ability to effectively follow up and follow through
- Effective oral and written communication skills
- Effective problem-solving skills
- Excellent organizational skills
- Proficient in use of technology, including ZOOM, CANVAS, Navigate, Outlook, Microsoft Office, & Google Docs
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively both independently as well as part of a team
- Knowledge in the development of individual action plans
- Knowledge of specific needs of underserved populations in order to attain educational success
- Knowledge of financial aid and scholarship information
- Experience working with racially, ethnically, economically and age diverse individuals
Additional Considerations
- Work experience in a community college setting or in counseling or academic coaching
- Knowledge of PeopleSoft and other educational technologies
- Knowledge of VCCS academic and workforce programs
Operation of a State Vehicle
No
Supervises Employees
No
Required Travel
Some travel within the Hampton Roads area
Posting Detail Information
Posting Number
CLS_4499P
Recruitment Type
General Public - G
Number of Vacancies
1
Position End Date (if temporary)
Job Open Date
06/03/2026
Job Close Date
06/12/2026
Open Until Filled
Agency Website
tcc.edu
Contact Name
Email
Phone Number
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/96737
