Job Details

Student Belonging Specialist

Position Number: 9969276
Location: Aurora, United States
Position Type: Student Affairs and Services

Student Belonging Specialist

Community College of Aurora

POSITION SUMMARY

The Student Belonging Specialist reports to the Director of Student Experience & Success and plays a central role in cultivating an inclusive, vibrant, and connected campus community where students feel welcomed, valued, represented, connected, and supported in their educational journey. This position is responsible for the design and implementation of campus-wide belonging initiatives that strengthen students' sense of connection to CCA and to one another, enhance the student experience and contribute to overall retention and success. This role serves as a key resource for belonging-centered initiatives, including identity and affinity-based programming, first-generation student engagement, multicultural and heritage programming, and initiatives that promote a strong sense of community across the college. The position requires collaboration with campus partners, student led organizations, academic success, and community partners to ensure that belonging efforts are coordinated, accessible, and responsive to the needs of CCA's diverse student population.

OVERVIEW OF CCA

The Community College of Aurora serves our diverse community by providing high-quality instruction and support services to prepare students for transfer and employment. We are particularly interested in applicants that demonstrate a commitment to working with individuals and groups from diverse identities, including but not limited to: socioeconomic, cultural, sexual orientation, gender identity expression, disability, multilingual learners, veterans, non-traditional, race and ethnic backgrounds.

More than 20 different languages and 60 countries are represented at CCA. In addition to traditional degree and certificate programs, CCA offers non-credit professional development courses, customized training, and economic and workforce development resources to employer partners and individual professionals seeking to enhance the capacity and productivity of their workforce or individual knowledge and skills. The college centers diversity, equity, and inclusion and we actively seek to employee partners who want to join us in working to reducing outcome gaps among our diverse student population.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Belonging Programming

Responsible for the planning, execution, and continuous improvement of campus-wide belonging initiatives in collaboration with campus partners.

Develop and coordinate programming that creates meaningful opportunities for students to build community, celebrate identity, and develop a sense of belonging. Create opportunities for students to connect shared experiences, interests, and identities while ensuring programming remains accessible and welcoming to the broader campus community.

Implement strategies to increase student participation in the co-curricular experience and assess engagement trends to inform future programming.

Serve as a resource to departments and campus partners seeking to incorporate belonging principles into student experiences.

Student Connection & Collaboration

Collaborate with Student-Led Organizations (SLO) and student leaders to support inclusive programming and opportunities for community building.

Build partnerships with community resources that support the diverse needs, experiences, and identities of the CCA community.

Work closely with the Student Engagement & Leadership Specialist to ensure engagement and belonging initiatives are complementary and provide equal opportunities for student participation.

Identify barriers to students' sense of belonging and develop responsive strategies and programming to address them.

Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Director of Student Experience & Success.

Participate in division-wide initiatives and events.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's degree in psychology, human services, event management, or a related field from an accredited institution.

Proven experience planning, executing, and assessing events or initiatives that promote belonging, inclusion, and community building.
Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.

Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Experience developing or facilitating workshops, dialogues, focus groups, trainings, or other community-building opportunities.

Commitment to serving diverse and underrepresented student populations, with a demonstrated focus on equity, inclusion, and belonging.

Ability to work flexible schedules including nights and weekends, if needed.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Master's degree in Higher Education, Student Affairs, Human Services, or a related field from an accredited institution.

Prior experience working in a community college or open-access institution, with an understanding of the mission and student population.

2+ years of program development experience

Understanding of student development theory, inclusive excellence, culturally response practice, and community-building strategies.

Experience supporting bias response, restorative justice, restorative practices, or other community-centered approaches that support community connection.

Fluency in English and Spanish with the ability to support multilingual students

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Salary Range: Anticipated salary range is $57,129.08- $64,698.44 annually. This salary is determined by the qualifications of the selected candidate balanced with departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information. CCA offers an excellent benefit plan, including generous leave, holiday, and education benefits.

Deadline to Submit Application Material: The priority deadline to submit applications will be at the closing of the position at 11:55PM on Monday November 30th, 2026.

Application Process: When submitting your online application, please include a cover letter clearly shows how the applicant's professional experiences align with the minimum qualifications, current resume, and professional references. Official transcripts showing the highest degree achieved should be submitted to HR@ccaurora.edu upon offer of employment. If you have questions regarding this position, please contact us at HR@ccaurora.edu.

By applying for this announced position, applicants are certifying that all statements, information and documents provided are true, complete and correct to the best of their knowledge and are made in good faith. Further, applicants understand that omissions, misleading, false or untrue information, or any attempt at fraud or deceit in any manner connected with this application and/or subsequent testing may result in them not being considered for jobs with the Community College of Aurora; may constitute grounds for discipline and/or termination after hire; and/or constitute grounds for further actions pursuant to law.

Application Checklist

Complete Applications must include the following documents:

A complete online application
A cover letter that describes how your experience aligns with the minimum and preferred qualifications of this position
A current resume uploaded as an attachment to your online application
Candidates identified as finalists must provide three to five professional references, at least two of which must include a current direct supervisor and most recent supervisor. If you cannot provide two supervisor references, an opportunity will be afforded for discussion and consideration of alternative references with the CCA Human Resource Office. Please note, out of professional courtesy to you, we will not contact your listed references without first providing notice to you as a candidate prior to beginning the reference check-process.
A copy of your official or unofficial transcript showing that your degree has been conferred and the name of your school, or your NACES accreditation is required as part of your application. Please submit this as an attachment to your application. Please note that you have the right to redact dates from your transcript during the application process. A full, unredacted copy will be required upon hire.
For any questions or technical issues please contact HR@CCAurora.edu.

Notice to all Applicants:

Proof of eligibility to work in the United States must be produced within three (3) days of hire.
Direct deposit of payroll is a condition of employment.
Final candidate is subject to a criminal background check prior to final selection process.
Final candidate is required to submit official transcripts to Human Resources within fourteen (14) days of hire.
CCA is affiliated with the Colorado Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) and as such, employees contribute to PERA in lieu of Social Security for retirement benefits. For more information, visit the COPERA web page.
Individuals currently or formerly employed by the Colorado Community College System or one of its 13 colleges, and/or who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination, must disclose this information in your application material.
For information regarding civil rights or grievance procedures, contact our Title IX Compliance/Equal Opportunity Officer, Erica Hines, Chief Human Resources & Personnel Success Officer at 16000 E. CentreTech Parkway, Suite A207H, Aurora, Colorado 80011 or by phone at (303) 340-7231 or e-mail at Erica.Hines@ccaurora.edu.

Colorado Residency Requirement:

Eligible applicants must be either a current Colorado resident or be able to provide proof of residency in Colorado within 30 days of the start date for the position, or they may be deemed ineligible for employment with the Community College of Aurora. Please contact HR@CCAurora.edu with any questions.

Community College of Aurora Inclusive Excellence Statement:

CCA embraces Inclusive Excellence because we want our students, staff, and faculty to learn and contribute within an inclusive environment. This means members of our college community will be active, respectful, and mindful of equity, diversity, and inclusion at all levels of engagement.

Inclusive Excellence will provide a foundation for student and institutional success. Recognizing our diversity is only the first step toward Inclusive Excellence.

We must also be intentional in valuing cultural differences and experiences, while incorporating them into practices, curricula, and policies.

Welcoming, Respectful, Inclusive - Together, we are CCA.

The Federal Clery Act: (The Student Right to Know and Campus Security Act of 1990) requires all institutions of higher learning to make available to prospective employees our agency's Annual Security Report. A copy of this information is available on the CCA website at the Student Right to Know page. A paper copy of this report can be obtained at the College Security Office upon request. This report includes statistics for the previous three years concerning crimes that occurred on campus or on property controlled or owned by Community College of Aurora, as well as public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, our campuses.

To apply, please visit: https://hr.cccs.edu/jobs/student-belonging-specialist-aurora-colorado-united-states