Title: Basic Needs Support Specialist

Employee Classification: Professional F/T 52 Wks Unit  

Department: Student Advocacy & Resource Center

Salary Range:  $46,154 Minimum

Who we are:

We are not-for-profit:  St. Louis Community college (STLCC) is a non-profit institution dedicated to empowering students, expanding minds, and changing lives. Employees are committed to strengthening the St. Louis community with inclusive and transformative education.

We are a respected employer:  For 60 years, STLCC has served the St. Louis community, expanding to 4 main campuses, 2 education centers, 2 workforce training centers, and 5 centers of excellence. More than one-half of the households in St. Louis have at least one member who has taken classes at STLCC.

We make an impact in the community:  Through credit courses, continuing education, and workforce development programs, STLCC annually serves nearly 69,000 students.  More than 80% of career and technical graduates employed in their fields or continue their education at four-year institutions within six months of graduation.  STLCC sends more transfer students to Missouri’s four-year colleges/universities than anyone else.

We value Diversity, equity & inclusion:  STLCC is committed to fostering an atmosphere of appreciation for all people, regardless of race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or class.

What you get:

Benefits package [for full-time employees]:  STLCC offers one of the best benefit packages in the St. Louis area. As a STLCC employee you will have access to a 100% match on your contribution to retirement, two health insurance plans options that are no cost to the employee - including an HSA option, low-cost life insurance with a 3x salary benefit, and other low-cost benefits including dental, vision, AD&D, ST LT disability insurance.

Opportunity to grow:  Over half of our employees have served the college for more than 12 years, exploring different career paths and advancing to higher level positions.

Education & training opportunities: STLCC offers tuition waivers for employees [full-time and part-time] + their dependents.  Full-time employees can take advantage of tuition reimbursement for other institutions after just 6 months of service, and an annual professional development allotment.

Work/life balance:  Full-time STLCC employees have access to a generous time off package, including holidays, vacation, personal days, medical leave, and other leave options. Our holiday schedule even includes a paid winter holiday at the end of the calendar year.

Commitment to wellness:  STLCC HR boasts a dedicated health and wellness specialist who is enthusiastic about creating a culture of wellness throughout the College. With access to college wellness vendors, employees are educated, motivated, and rewarded for healthy behaviors. STLCC employees and anyone living in their household also have access to an employee assistance program (EAP) that can help them with virtually any life need.

*Potential start date scheduled for after January 1st, 2025* 

The basics of this position:

Reporting to the Student Advocacy & Resource Center Coordinator, the Basic Needs Support Specialist provides non-clinical social work services consisting of case management and referrals to campus resources and community support services related to food and housing insecurity, economic and personal crisis interventions, as well as student advocacy services, outreach, and education. This position assists in the planning, coordinating, implementing, and assessing of programs and services designed to identify and meet the basic needs of historically under-resourced and underserved students.

The Basic Needs Support Specialist will provide on-going support and resources to students in need using an intrusive and individualized case management approach.

• Meet with students individually to provide both crisis intervention and on-going support for resolving barriers related to the student’s experiences utilizing a variety of interventions, referrals, and follow-up services.
• Connect students with community and college services that can help with their needs for housing, childcare, transportation, food, healthcare, etc. Offer guidance identifying and accessing federal, state and local social service providers and programs.
• In consultation with the Coordinator, oversee programs and services such as the campus Clothing Closet or the Family Resource Center that provides resources and supports for student parents.
• Provide outreach to historically underserved student populations to facilitate access, persistence, and success. In collaboration with college and community stakeholders, develop a variety of education, outreach, and prevention initiatives that support the health and well-being of STLCC students.

What you'll do:

• Meet with students individually to assess basic needs, remove barriers, and identify supports that promote student success.
• Assist students in problem solving any barriers impeding their education and in developing appropriate action plans.
• Provide on-going support and resources to students in need using an intrusive and individualized case management approach.
• Collaborate with and provide referrals to various college departments such as Financial Aid, Access, Counseling, TRiO – Student Support Services, and Student Success Advising to promote student persistence and college completion.
• Provide information about and referral to federal, state and local agencies and programs.
• Maintain current knowledge of social service providers and programs to ease referral process.
• Assist students in completing applications for program benefits and provides assistance to students in gathering and submitting required documentation for various program applications.
• Provide outreach to historically underserved student populations to facilitate access to college resources and community support services.
• In collaboration with college and community stakeholders, develop a variety of education, outreach, and prevention initiatives that support the health and well-being of STLCC students.
• Conduct classroom presentations and facilitate workshops and other events designed to provide information and resources for students.
• In consultation with the Coordinator, oversee programs and services such as the campus Clothing Closet or the Family Resource Center that provides resources and supports for student parents.
• Assist with the daily operations of campus food pantry including donation solicitations, organization, distribution, staffing, intake, etc.
• Assist the SARC Coordinator with other related duties and tasks as needed or directed.

Education, experience, and other requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or related area
• 3+ years of relevant professional experience

Preferred Qualifications: