Student Life Specialist – LaGuardia CARES

Student Life Specialist – LaGuardia CARES

POSITION DETAILS

Founded in 1971 in Long Island City, Queens , LaGuardia Community College is one of seven community colleges of the City University of New York (CUNY). LaGuardia offers more than sixty associate degree programs and more than fifty workforce training, ESOL, GED, and pre-college programs. In 2023, LaGuardia served approximately 24,000 students. More than one-third of LaGuardia’s degree-seeking students are born outside the United States; they come from 136 countries and speak 43 heritage languages. Sixty percent are first-generation college students.

Virtually all LaGuardia students are ethnic minorities (89 percent), 58 percent are women, 27 percent are over the age of 25. Forty-six percent of associate degree students are Hispanic. Upon graduation most students transfer to four-year colleges, typically in CUNY, to complete their baccalaureate degrees. Graduates of career programs such as Nursing, Computer Technology, and Veterinary Technology enter the workforce. LaGuardia ranked fifth among U.S. community colleges in economic mobility – moving low-income students into the middle class and beyond – in studies by Stanford University (2017) and the Brookings Institution (2020). Please visit www.laguardia.edu to learn more.

LaGuardia CARES is seeking a dedicated and skilled Student Life Specialist to assist with daily operations, support strategic initiatives, and enhance service delivery for students. This role requires working knowledge and experience in grant reporting, partnership development, and program coordination. The ideal candidate is an experienced administrative coordinator who excels in organization, communication, and leadership while contributing to the overall mission of student success. Reporting to the LaGuardia CARES Director, the Student Life Manager will be responsible for, but not limited to, the following:

• Assist with the daily administrative and operational functions of the CARES front office, establish and maintain efficient office procedures, service-flow processes, appointment systems, and front-desk operations to ensure a welcoming, professional, and responsive student experience;

• Provide operational assistance with CARES student-facing services and basic-needs activities, including the food pantry, and other student-support initiatives; monitor daily operations, identify service gaps or operational concerns, and implement appropriate solutions in consultation with the CARES Director;

• Lead the initial assessment and routing of student inquiries and service needs, providing accurate general information regarding CARES programs, eligibility, application procedures, referrals, workshops, and other public and community resources; determine appropriate referrals to CARES staff, campus departments, and external organizations based on student needs;

• Coordinate and monitor student service processes, ensure that established CARES procedures are consistently implemented and that students receive timely, professional, and equitable assistance while maintaining strict confidentiality and safeguarding sensitive student information;

• Oversee pantry inventory and supply operations, including monitoring inventory levels, identifying shortages and operational needs, coordinating ordering and receiving, organizing storage, and ensuring appropriate stocking and distribution of food and supplies; maintain accurate inventory documentation and coordinate with vendors, food suppliers, campus partners, and community organizations to support uninterrupted operations;

• Coordinate the scheduling, daily assignments, and operational activities of student workers, temporary employees, volunteers, interns, and other personnel supporting CARES, ensuring adequate coverage and appropriate assignment of responsibilities; communicate expectations, monitor completion of assigned duties, and escalate performance or operational concerns to the CARES Director;

• Support staff onboarding, training, and operational readiness by maintaining training materials, procedures, schedules, onboarding resources, workflow documents, and other departmental tools; assist in ensuring that personnel understand CARES policies, service standards, confidentiality requirements, technology systems, and operational procedures;

• Monitor administrative workflows, records, and departmental processes to promote accuracy, efficiency, accountability, and compliance with CARES procedures; identify opportunities to improve systems and technology, maintain organized operational records, track outstanding administrative tasks, and provide the CARES Director with timely updates regarding operational issues, trends, and resource needs;

• Plan and coordinate the administrative and logistical execution of CARES and college-wide events and initiatives, including New Student Orientation, Weeks of Welcome, resource fairs, student engagement activities, workshops, and other programs; coordinate schedules, rooms, staffing, registration and check-in, materials, supplies, communications, set-up, breakdown, and post-event follow-up;

• Serve as a key operational liaison for CARES, coordinating communication and collaboration among CARES staff, college departments, campus partners, vendors, community organizations, and other stakeholders; provide regular operational updates to the CARES Director, assist with implementation of departmental priorities and initiatives, and assume responsibility for designated projects and functions to ensure timely completion and effective delivery of CARES services.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's degree and four years' related experience required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Administration, Higher Education, Human Services, or a related field preferred.

• Proven experience in office administration and program coordination.

• Strong organizational and multitasking abilities with attention to detail.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook).

• Experience working in a high-volume, student-facing, or customer-service setting.

• Experience coordinating multiple administrative functions, projects, events, or programs simultaneously.

• Strong organizational, time-management, problem-solving, and follow-through skills.

• Demonstrated ability to prioritize competing responsibilities in a fast-paced environment.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively.

• Knowledge of student support services, financial aid, and public benefits preferred.

• Experience in higher education or non-profit organizations is a plus.

• Bilingual candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

CUNY TITLE OVERVIEW

• Develops and implements programming, services, and learning opportunities for students, promoting the personal development of a diverse student population.

• Administers one or more student affairs programs, providing program management, assistance with policy development, supervision and training of all professional and support staff, budget monitoring, and report preparation

• Serves as a resource to student groups and/or populations as a consultant and advocate for their concerns

• Researches and stays current on higher education programs, trends, and issues with student impact

• Produces workshops and materials to support student programs; manages on-line communities; develops on-line social networking activities, and develops and maintains multimedia content on program web sites

• Performs related duties as assigned.

CUNY TITLE

Higher Education Assistant

FLSA

Exempt

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Salary: $77,079 - $89,777

Salary commensurate with education and experience.

CUNY's benefits contribute significantly to total compensation, supporting health and wellness, financial well-being, and professional development. We offer a range of health plans, competitive retirement/pension benefits and savings plans, tuition waivers for CUNY graduate study and generous paid time off. Our staff also benefits from the extensive academic, arts, and athletic programs on our campuses and the opportunity to participate in a lively, diverse academic community in one of the greatest cities in the world.

HOW TO APPLY

No job description available

CLOSING DATE

November 19th, 2026

JOB SEARCH CATEGORY

CUNY Job Posting: Managerial/Professional

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

CUNY encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply. At CUNY, Italian Americans are also included among our protected groups. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against on the basis of any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity. EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer.

Job ID: 33024

Location: LaGuardia Community College

Job Type: Full-Time