Job Details

Counselor, Military-Connected Students

Position Number: 6957849
Location: Columbus, GA
Position Type: Student Affairs and Services

Counselor, Military-Connected Students

Job ID: 295503
Location: Columbus State University
Full/Part Time: Full Time
Regular/Temporary: Regular

About Us

Great universities inspire the very best in us. They nurture new ideas, fresh perspectives, and creative problem-solving. They challenge students to discover their passions - and to turn those passions into thriving careers that improve our world.

Columbus State University is exactly that kind of place. With exceptional facilities, ideal class sizes, and unique field experiences, our students have room to create. Here, every faculty and staff member is part of the educational process, actively mentoring students and championing each new step in their journey.

Located just 100 miles southwest of Atlanta, CSU is part of the University System of Georgia and offers a variety of benefits to full-time benefits-eligible employees and some of our half-time (or more) employees. Benefits that may be elected could include health insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, Teachers Retirement System (or Optional Retirement Plan), as well as earned vacation time, sick leave, and 13 paid holidays (if applicable). Also, our full-time employees who have been employed with us successfully for more than 6 months can be considered for the Tuition Assistance Program. Consider applying with us today!

Department Information

Military-Connected Student Services

Job Summary

The Enrollment Counselor for Military-Connected Students serves as a primary liaison between Columbus State University (CSU), Fort Benning, and military-affiliated students and families. This role provides a high-touch, concierge-style enrollment experience for service members, veterans, spouses, and dependents, ensuring seamless access to CSU programs and military education benefits.

The Enrollment Counselor supports prospective and current military-connected students throughout the enrollment lifecycle - from inquiry through retention - while ensuring compliance with federal and Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regulations related to Tuition Assistance (TA) and Veteran Education Benefits.

This position collaborates closely with CSU Enrollment Management, Academic Affairs, Financial Aid, and Fort Benning's Education Center to strengthen institutional partnerships and expand access to higher education for the military community.

In addition, the Enrollment Counselor assists with daily operations of the Military-Connected Student Services Office and Military-Connected Study Area.

Responsibilities

Significant Duties and Responsibilities include: Serve as a dedicated point of contact for military-connected students, providing individualized guidance through the admissions, enrollment, and retention process.; Recruit active-duty soldiers, military connected students, and veterans to both undergraduate and graduate programs.; Provide accurate and timely information regarding military education benefits, including Tuition Assistance and VA education benefits, in accordance with federal regulations.; Maintain compliance with Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs policies to ensure successful audits and reporting outcomes.; Serve as CSU's representative at the Fort Benning Education Center, maintaining regular office hours and cultivating relationships with military leadership and education personnel.; Maintain and report enrollment data with various military branches and the Department of Veterans Affairs, including assistance with enrollment certification processes.; Communicate with students and families via phone, email, and in person regarding CSU programs, admissions procedures, and use of military education benefits.; Collaborate across CSU departments to support military-connected student success, including coordination with Financial Aid, Registrar, Academic Advising, and Student Success teams.; Develop and disseminate resources, workshops, and materials that promote awareness of academic programs, scholarships, student services, and retention initiatives.; Contribute to continuous process improvement efforts related to military-connected enrollment services.; Assist with office coverage and day-to-day operations of Military-Connected Student Services.; Attend professional development conferences and training opportunities to remain current on federal regulations and best practices in serving military-affiliated students.; Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Military-Connected Student Services.

Required Qualifications

Required Qualifications include: Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education, or a combination of higher education and relevant professional experience.; Experience in an office setting with demonstrated customer service responsibilities.; Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook and OneDrive (or similar cloud-based file management systems).; Experience working with student or employee populations.; Occasional evening and weekend work may be required to support university enrollment initiatives.; Valid driver's license required.

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications include: Experience working in higher education.; Experience supporting military-connected students or familiarity with military culture.; Military spouse or prior military affiliation.

Proposed Salary

The proposed annualized salary range for this position is $35,868 - $38,852 and includes full benefits.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities include: Professional, welcoming presence with strong customer service orientation.; Ability to interpret and apply federal policies related to Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs education benefits.; Strong written and verbal communication skills.; Ability to work independently while maintaining strong collaborative relationships across university departments and external military partners.; Organizational skills with attention to detail, particularly in regulatory compliance and reporting.; Commitment to serving diverse populations, including service members, veterans, and their families.

Contact Information

If you have any questions, please contact Susan Lovell, Hiring Manager, via email at lovell_susan@columbusstate.edu.

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Institutional Values

Excellence: Actively engaging outstanding methods in teaching, academic discovery, creative pursuits, student success, cultural enrichment and the overall campus community.
Creativity: Pursuing distinction through inquiry and innovation, challenging convention and focusing on solutions.
Engagement: Dynamic civic involvement and participation of students, faculty, staff and alumni in the university experience.
Sustainability: Advancing fiscal responsibility, well-being, innovation, lifelong learning and environmental stewardship.
Inclusion: Cultivating and championing a campus environment that welcomes diverse backgrounds, ideas, perspectives and practices.
Servant Leadership: Leading through ethical empowerment and service.

Conditions of Employment

All selected candidates are required to submit and successfully pass a background investigation to include reference checks and verification of academic credentials (if applicable). Other additional requirements may be required based upon specific position duties:

A credit check completed for Positions of Trust and or approved departmental Purchase Card usage;
Pre-employment drug testing for positions with high-risk responsibilities.
Motor vehicle reports are required for positions that are required to drive a Columbus State University fleet vehicle or other vehicle designated as a fleet vehicle. A successful drug screening will be required as a condition of employment a randomly thereafter.

*Applicants for positions of trust may be asked to disclose criminal record history during the initial screening process and prior to a conditional offer of employment. *

For Faculty Hires: Final candidates will be required to provide proof of completed academic degree(s) as well as post-secondary coursework in the form of original transcript(s). Those candidates trained by a foreign institution will also be required to provide an educational/credential evaluation.

All employees are responsible for ensuring the confidentiality, availability, and integrity of sensitive information by exercising sound judgment and adhering to cybersecurity and privacy policies during their employment and beyond. Additionally, all members of the USG community must adhere to the USG Statement of Core Values must also be aware of and comply with the Board of Regents policies on Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Columbus State University is proud to be an equal employment, equal access, and equal educational opportunity institution. It is the policy of our institution to recruit, hire, train, promote and educate persons without regard to race, color, national or ethnical origin, age, disability, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or veteran status as required by applicable state and federal laws.

Other Information

This is not a supervisory position.
This position does not have any financial responsibilities.
This position will not be required to drive.
This role is considered a position of trust.
This position does not require a purchasing card (P-Card).
This position will not travel

Background Check

Position of Trust + Education

Special Applicant Instructions

Visit Columbus State University's online Careers portal to drive your career with us! The online applicant system provides you with the ability to review job opportunities and apply to those that you are interested in and feel qualified for. Each job posting has a summary description of the position and required qualifications. All job applications must be submitted through the online portal system.

To apply, visit https://careers.hprod.onehcm.usg.edu/psp/careers/CAREERS/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FL&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=30000&JobOpeningId=295503&PostingSeq=1