Student Success Coach

If you're passionate about building a better future for individuals, communities, and our country-and you're committed to working hard to play your part in building that future-consider WGU as the next step in your career.

Driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs, WGU is also committed to being a great place to work for a diverse workforce of student-focused professionals. The university has pioneered a new way to learn in the 21st century, one that has received praise from academic, industry, government, and media leaders. Whatever your role, working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate, creating a better tomorrow for themselves and their families.

The salary range for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.

At WGU, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their position, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is:

Job Description

The Student Success Coach primary mission is to support the success of WGU Academy students who are assigned to you. As a Student Success Coach, you will have two main objectives: one, help your assigned students complete required college-level courses before they enroll full-time into WGU (or, potentially, other colleges), and two, help your students develop the confidence, study habits, emotional wellbeing, and communications skills to be successful while at the Academy and throughout their future studies. As Student Success Coach, you will truly own the success of your assigned students. Students attending WGU Academy will more likely than most face struggles in college - because they've never attended before, because it has been a long time since attending school, or because they lack confidence or basic skills. Your coaching can be the "difference maker" because of the support you provide, they will be ready to complete rigorous college courses and eventually graduate. You will guide them one on one and in group settings as they complete a limited number of college-level courses, and you will be their coach that helps deliver our "readiness" curriculum - a series of modules, assignments, and coaching sessions that increase their likelihood of success. You will earn their trust and set clear expectations as you work with each one to become a successful college student and future graduate.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Provides coaching and support for an average student load set by department standards, and to guide the progress in completing 2 or more college-eligible courses over a period of 2-4 months.
• Leverages motivational interviewing techniques to influence positive behavior change in students.
• Facilitates Academy's "college success" readiness curriculum, which is delivered during the students first month. The curriculum includes online modules, group coaching, assignments, and personal coaching sessions.
• Devotedly leads virtual small group sessions that create community and inspire students.
• Empathetically provide encouragement, reinforce positive behaviors and celebrate milestones of assigned students.
• Collaborates within the team of Success Coaches, supporting your teammates and providing input on opportunities for improvement.
• Embraces WGU Leadership Principles with a high emphasis on learning, courage, and student obsession.
• Analyzes and interrupts data to effectively improve student success and team productivity.
• Assist students with Academy systems and solve any administrative problems that occur.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skill and Abilities:

• Establish empathy, active listening, optimism, and caring about others' success.
• Demonstrate high-energy and enthusiasm to support virtual group sessions.
• Create strong rapport and communications abilities, specifically via web conference.
• Promote a strong work ethic coupled with attention to detail.
• An ability to work independently without close supervision, coupled with an understanding that regular reviews and feedback are part of a continuous improvement cycle.
• Exemplify a courageous focus on what's best for students and the team.
• Champion change and demonstrate flexibility in an ambiguous environment.
• Intermediate experience working with a sophisticated portfolio of technology systems.
• Foundational knowledge of principles of coaching and positive psychology

Competencies:

Organizational Impact:

• Works to achieve operational targets within job areas impacting department, function, or office results.
• Work is performed independently on moderately complex projects and assignments with some guidance required for direction and complex tasks. Sets objectives for oneself to meet the goals of projects or assignments.

Problem Solving & Decision Making:

• Responsible for employing adjustments or recommended enhancements to systems and processes to solve problems or improve the job area's effectiveness while leveraging a systems-thinking approach.
• Problems faced may require an understanding of a broader set of issues and job areas.

Communication & Influence:

• Collaborates with contacts typically within the job area to obtain or provide information requiring some explanation or interpretation.

Leadership & Talent Management

• May provide guidance and assistance to entry-level professionals and or support employees.
• Demonstrates the WGU leadership principles in all aspects of service to students, employees, and partners of WGU.

Job Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree
• Accredited coaching certification
• Demonstrated experience facilitating, presenting, or teaching in a remote online environment
• 3+ Years coaching experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• ICF Accredited Coach Training or NBHWC
• Experience supporting adult learners in distance learning environments.
• Demonstrated experience working with at-risk learners.
• Familiarity with Salesforce or other customer relationship management tools
• Working Conditions - Specific requirements of the job such as travel and the environment in which the job is performed.
• One year of professional working experience in a high-volume coaching center serving clients remotely OR Minimum one year employed at WGU Academy AND satisfactory/advanced proficiency with motivational interviewing that is demonstrated consistently for at least six months
• Two years professional experience teaching or facilitating groups OR demonstrated satisfactory/advanced proficiency delivering social emotional learning curriculum consistently for at least six months

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

#Li-Remote #Li-MP1

Position & Application Details

How to Apply: If interested, an application will need to be submitted online. Internal WGU employees will need to apply through the internal job board in Workday.

Additional Information

Disclaimer: The job posting highlights the most critical responsibilities and requirements of the job. It's not all-inclusive.

Accommodations: Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation during the application or interview process should contact our Talent Acquisition team at recruiting@wgu.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic as required by law.