Engagement Specialist

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:  Grade: Faculty 504Pay Range: $58,800.00 - $88,200.00Job DescriptionResponsible for anchoring the student experience from Orientation through the end of the first year — keeping students engaged and fostering connection and belonging through community spaces. Many of the students in this role’s care may arrive with little to no academic or professional experience, making the quality of their early experience at WGU critical to their long-term success.This role is a dynamic blend of relationship-building, coordination, and community stewardship. This role is front and center in the student experience — present and engaged from Orientation through live cohort programming, active in online community spaces, and a consistent, familiar face throughout the first year. At the same time, they are the connective tissue behind the scenes: orchestrating the right experiences at the right moments and knowing WGU’s systems of support deeply enough to get every student what they need, exactly when they need it. Primary ResponsibilitiesOrientation & First-Year EngagementServe as a primary point of continuity for students from Orientation through the end of their first year, working alongside their Program Mentor and Instructors to ensure a connected, supported experienceGuide students through the full Orientation process using a coaching mindset that promotes confidence and self-efficacyAnchor the student experience by knowing WGU’s systems of support deeply and connecting students to the right resources at the right momentsDesign and implement targeted outreach for students showing early signs of disengagement or struggleAdapt communication styles and channels (video, phone, email, text, community platforms) to meet diverse student needsCohort Scheduling & Community OrchestrationCoordinate and manage the scheduling and logistics of live cohort sessions, micro-webinars, and group events — ensuring the right experiences happen at the right time for the right studentsFoster rich community experiences between students, leading to moments of self-discovery and bondingSpark and sustain meaningful discussions in asynchronous community environments through thoughtful prompts, responses, and engagement strategiesFoster peer-to-peer connections and a sense of shared identity among cohort members throughout the first yearCoordination & Campaign ManagementManage scheduling and logistics for cohort events, orientation programming, and student communications campaignsCoordinate cross-functionally with WGU schools, student support teams, and internal departments to ensure seamless, unified student experiencesExecute proactive outreach campaigns designed to nurture engagement and reduce early attritionTrack and report on student engagement patterns, using data to identify opportunities for intervention and process improvementContent, Brand & CommunicationsContribute to orientation content, community programming, and communications that reflect WGU’s voice and valuesParticipate in continuous improvement of orientation and first-year programming through feedback loops and data analysisKnowledge, Skills & AbilitiesCommunity Building & EngagementDemonstrated ability to build, maintain, and grow online community spaces that feel alive, welcoming, and purposefulSkilled at generating and sustaining engagement in asynchronous environments — knowing when to prompt, when to respond, and how to draw quieter voices outStrong coaching instincts with the ability to motivate and empower adult learners through written and one-on-one communicationAdvanced active listening skills and ability to ask powerful questions that promote self-discoveryEmotional intelligence and genuine empathy for the challenges faced by non-traditional studentsOrganization & CoordinationHighly organized with the ability to manage multiple moving parts simultaneously — events, campaigns, student caseloads, and cross-team collaborationsStrong project management instincts: able to conceptualize, plan, and execute with minimal oversightAbility to work calmly and maintain good judgment in a fast-paced, dynamic environmentSelf-directed, reliable, and comfortable holding accountability across multiple workstreamsCommunicationOutstanding written and verbal communication skills with the ability to adapt tone and approach for different audiencesDemonstrated ability to build trust and rapport in virtual environmentsKnowledge of best practices for social media channels and community platformsData & TechnologyAbility to analyze student engagement data to identify trends and opportunities for interventionProficiency with technology platforms that support virtual student engagementTools used in this role include: Microsoft Teams, Outlook