Classification Description

TITLE: Adult Basic Skills Specialist

CLASS: Classified

EXEMPT STATUS: Non-Exempt

GRADE: 18

NATURE AND SCOPE OF WORK:

The Adult Basic Skills Specialist is responsible for determining the appropriate placement of students within Adult Basic Skills programs such as English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Adult Basic Education (ABE), and Volunteer Literacy Tutor (VLT). In order to determine appropriate level of placement, the incumbent decides the appropriate test, based on verbal interviews with the student and then administers the tests. The following week, the incumbent meets with the student again to discuss program placement. After program placements are made the incumbent evaluates the students test scores, educational goals and barriers to determine appropriate class level placement within the specific program. Some decisions require that the incumbent draw from knowledge and past experience in resolving issues, which is not clearly defined in established policies and procedures. Interpersonal contacts may include students, PCC faculty & staff, and community organizations. If program placement is not appropriate for this student, then the incumbent works with the community and within PCC to locate appropriate language instruction or academic services for the student.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

  1. Provides information and guidance to students, PCC faculty & staff including ABS division, counseling, ESOL, DE or other credit programs, and community organizations regarding Adult Basic Skills (ABS) programs such as ESOL, ABE, and VLT.
  2. Facilitates scheduled orientation/educational planning sessions for potential ESOL and ABE students. Provides students with information about ABS programs, the registration process, other PCC programs, policies and procedures. Administers, Proctors and grades standardize tests. In cases when standard tests don't provide proper placement, the incumbent then works with the student to determine which other CASAS test, or the BEST test is appropriate.
  3. Ensures the proper placement of students into classes based on their test scores, educational goals and educational barriers.
  4. Assists students in removing educational barriers such as lack of transportation, childcare and/or conflicting work schedules by referring the student to and seeking out resources, which will assist the student in overcoming the barriers.
  5. Facilitates the transfer of students between campuses; communicates with other ABS Specialist to ensure classroom space availability, the coordination of intake and delivery of appropriate paperwork.
  6. Collects and maintains statistical information on students such as placement test dates, scores, and levels. Utilizes statistical information to analyze the outcome of intake sessions and makes suggestions about recruitment methods, orientation schedule and placement.
  7. Attends Adult Basic Skills meetings to review internal processes and make suggestions for improvement.
  8. Assigns and directs the work of student help, work-study students, and casual staff.
  9. Perform other related duties as assigned.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is generally performed in an office setting. Exposure to video display terminal will occur. Work pressure, disturbances of workflow, and/or irregularities in work schedule occur regularly (including extended work hours) may occur.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Learned physical skill is required to perform keyboarding occasional lifting, guiding and/or carrying of light-weight materials or equipment may be required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Associate's degree in job-related area and three years of experience working with students in an educational setting who are at-risk, ethnically and culturally diverse. Experience performing the duties of the job may substitute for the Associate's degree on a year-for-year basis.

Must possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects, high volume phone calls and walk in students, faculty and/or staff. Ability to maintain accurate records and to use standard office equipment such as copy machines, telephone systems, and fax machines.

New: 2/27/03