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Graduate Student Support Specialist

Florida Polytechnic University
life insurance, paid time off, paid holidays, sick time
United States, Florida, Lakeland
4700 Research Way (Show on map)
Aug 04, 2026

Make a difference at one of Florida's premier institutions for education in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Florida Polytechnic University, ranked the No. 1 public college in the region by U.S. News and World Report, offers a unique working environment that encourages faculty and staff to be part of a culture that prizes collaboration, innovation, and the willingness to go above and beyond to ensure our students and University succeed. Florida Poly offers a small campus academic environment where students form connections with their faculty and peers as they pursue high-value degrees in engineering and applied sciences.

The University is equipped with cutting-edge facilities and equipment and two award-winning, architecturally distinct academic buildings. Its evolving curriculum, designed to meet the needs of industry and provide a life-long educational foundation for students, has helped the institution grow in prominence since its opening in 2014. Florida Poly's deliberately small classes, affordability, and outstanding graduate outcomes have helped it earn recognitions such as being named a top value school, in the top 25 nationally for affordability, and in the top five best universities in the South for tech students. Accredited by ABET and SACSCOC, Florida Poly is educating some of the brightest minds in Florida and attracting standout talent from across the nation.

JOB TITLE Graduate Student Support Specialist JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY The Graduate Student Support Specialist promotes graduate student success by providing personalized guidance, coordinating student services, and creating opportunities for engagement and professional development. This position serves as a key resource for graduate students, helping them navigate university processes, access campus resources, and make progress toward degree completion. The Specialist collaborates with faculty, academic departments, and offices across the university to enhance the graduate student experience, support retention, and improve post-graduate career outcomes, with particular attention to the needs of online learners. JOB DESCRIPTION

Responsibilities:

  • Graduate Student Engagement and Professional Development - Develop, coordinate, and assess engagement opportunities and professional development initiatives for graduate students. This may include workshops, events, networking opportunities, industry partnerships, or graduate seminars designed to foster student success, community, and career readiness. 20%
  • Online Graduate Student Support - Serve as the primary point of contact for online graduate students. Partner with campus offices to ensure online learners have access to resources, services, and support equivalent to those available to on-campus students. 20%
  • Graduate Student Onboarding and Transition Services - Coordinate onboarding and transition initiatives for newly enrolled graduate students to support successful matriculation. Facilitate welcome events, connect students with university resources, and collaborate with campus partners to ensure a smooth transition into graduate study. 20%
  • Office of Graduate Studies Operations - Respond to inquiries from students, faculty, and academic departments and assist with day-to-day office operations. Support key Office of Graduate Studies functions and provide backup coverage as needed. 20%
  • Graduate Academic Progress and Degree Completion- Collaborate with the Registrar's Office and academic advisors to monitor degree requirements and student progress. Assist students with course sequencing, registration, holds, university forms, early alerts, and related processes to support timely graduation. 15%
  • Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned. 5%

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education.
  • Three (3) years of professional experience.
  • In lieu of a degree, any appropriate combination of relevant education, experience, and/or certifications may be considered.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Master's degree in Higher Education or a related field.
  • Experience supporting graduate, adult, online, or non-traditional learners.
  • Experience coordinating, developing, and facilitating student engagement, educational programming, workshops, events, or professional development initiatives.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

  • Knowledge of principles and practices related to student engagement, career readiness, and student development, or related transferable experience.
  • Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
  • Ability to build and maintain positive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and university offices.
  • Ability to coordinate programs, events, and initiatives while managing multiple priorities and deadlines.Ability to adapt to changing priorities, processes, and organizational needs in a dynamic environment.
  • Ability to communicate changes in policies, procedures, and initiatives to appropriate audiences in a clear and timely manner.
  • Ability to maintain confidential information and exercise sound judgment.
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively while contributing to a positive team culture.

REQUIRED LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, AND/OR OTHER SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS OF LAW:

  • Must possess a valid driver's license.
  • This position requires a criminal background check.
  • This position is subject to federal and state privacy regulations.

NORMAL WORK SCHEDULE: This position is exempt/salary exempt. The normal work schedule is Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. However, occasional overtime (weekends and evenings) may be required.

TARGET HIRING SALARY: $50,200 - $54,000 commensurate with experience.

LOCATION/WORK MODEL: Full-time/On-site

Note: Employment-based visa sponsorship will NOT be considered for this position.

Application Deadline Date: The position may be open for 14 days with a minimum of 7 days; however, the review of applications will commence immediately.

Application Process:

In addition to completing the online application, all applicants are required to upload the following as attachments to the application (preferably in PDF format):

  • Cover Letter
  • Resume
  • Three (3) Professional References

If any of these three items are missing, you will not be considered for the position. References will not be contacted unless you are selected as a finalist for the position.

DIVERSITY STATEMENT:

Florida Polytechnic University is an equal opportunity/equal access institution. It is the policy of the Board of Trustees to provide equal opportunity for employment and educational opportunities to all (including applicants for employment, employees, applicants for admission, students, and others affiliated with the University) without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or genetic information.

Employment is contingent upon eligibility to work in the US. An appointment is not final until proof is provided.

FLORIDA POLY BENEFITS INFORMATION

Florida Poly qualified employees have the opportunity to take advantage of a variety of health benefits (through the State of Florida) to help meet their specific needs, as well as the needs of their family. This comprehensive coverage includes flexible spending accounts, medical and life insurance, and worker's compensation.

Health benefits are administered through People First, on behalf of the State of Florida, as pre-tax insurance plans. People First handles all new hire enrollments, coverage changes, premium administration, and dependent eligibility. Their Service Center is staffed Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. EST, at 1-866-663-4735.

RETIREMENT

Florida Poly offers great options for retirement. From the required selection of a state plan to additional voluntary retirement plans, our employees have many opportunities to save and prepare for their future. Click Here for more information.

OTHER BENEFITS

  • Discounts & Perks

  • Annual Leave

    • To help promote work-life balance, Florida Poly provides a generous leave program, which includes paid time off and paid holidays. Qualified employees may accrue 22 days of annual leave. In addition, the University observes the holidays listed in our University Holidays policy FPU-1.008.

  • Sick Leave

    • Qualified employees may also accrue 12 days of annual sick leave and participate in our Sick Pool Program.

  • Employee Assistant Program (EAP)

EXPLORE LAKELAND FLORIDA

Conveniently located along I-4 between Tampa and Orlando, Lakeland is home to Florida Polytechnic University and many other businesses and attractions. Click here to explore Lakeland, Florida.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING ATTACHMENTS:

Required attachments are listed on each posting. Please be sure to attach all required documents in the Resume/CV field before continuing through the application. Once your application has been submitted, no changes may be made and additional attachments will not be considered.

An unofficial copy of the degree/transcript is acceptable during the application process. For positions requiring a degree, the official transcripts are required upon hire.

Foreign Transcript: Transcripts issued outside of the United States require a equivalency statement from a certified transcript evaluation service verifying the degree equivalency to that of an accredited institution within the USA. This report must be attached with the application and submitted by the application deadline.

All document(s) must be received on or before the closing date of the job announcements.

This position requires a background check, which may include a level II screening as required by the Florida Statute*435.04.

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