Part time - Peer Education Specialist

About Us

Dalton State College delivers a transformational education experience in a community serving more than 5,000 students through its two campuses and online programs. A member of the University System of Georgia, we provide access to high-quality bachelors degrees, associate degrees, and career and teaching certificate programs that are responsive to regional and state needs.

Located about 90 minutes from Atlanta and 30 minutes from Chattanooga, Dalton State is nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in northwest Georgia and is surrounded by abundant outdoor recreation opportunities. We attract students from 35 countries and 26 states. Approximately half of our students are first-generation college students. Dalton State is Georgias first federally-designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI); through this designation, we administer a Title V and a Title III HSI STEM Grant program that benefit all students.

Our mission and values undergird our commitment to creating a sense of belonging for all students and to ensuring their success. Dalton State was ranked #1 in the nation for Student Experience in The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse 2024 Best Colleges in the U.S. rankings and the #2 most recommended institution in the country in 2025. In addition, we are proud to have been recognized in 2024 as one of 75 "Great Colleges to Work For" by ModernThink, along with an Honor Roll distinction.

Job Summary

The Peer Education Specialist supports the development, delivery, and continuous improvement of Dalton State Colleges peer-led academic support services. Based on departmental priorities and the selected candidates education, experience, and areas of expertise, the specialist may be assigned responsibility for one or more programs within the Peer Education portfolio. Programs may include one-on-one tutoring, the Math and Science Learning Center, the Financial Fitness Learning Center, the Writing Lounge, student success skill programs, workshops, and other Peer Education initiatives.

The specialist provides hands-on program oversight while maintaining flexibility to respond to changing student and departmental needs. Responsibilities may include coordinating daily operations; recruiting, scheduling, and training undergraduate peer educators; developing educational resources and programming; conducting outreach; maintaining program records; and contributing to assessment and continuous improvement efforts.

This position is 19 hours per week.

Priority consideration will be afforded to those applicants who submit a completed application by the end of business day Friday November 6, 2026. The position will remain open until filled.

A complete application must include:

• Cover letter
• Resume
• List of three professional references: please include full name, job title, organization, phone number, email address, and a brief description of relationship with reference. Include current and/or previous employers.

Minimum hourly rate $20.29 based on education and experience.

Responsibilities

Assigned Peer Education Program Oversight - 40%

• Coordinates the daily operations and continued development of one or more assigned Peer Education programs, learning centers, or special initiatives.
• Coordinates program schedules, staffing coverage, appointments, workshops, classroom presentations, and consult with walk-in students seeking support, as applicable to the assigned area.
• Creates, updates, and consistently applies program procedures, training materials, handbooks, educational resources, and service standards.
• Maintains a welcoming, student-centered learning environment that promotes independent learning, encourages help-seeking behaviors, and supports student success.
• Monitors program supplies, instructional materials, facilities, and technology; resolve routine operational concerns and refer complex issues appropriately.
• Maintains accurate service, staffing, training, and participation records in accordance with college and departmental procedures, requirements, and expectations.
• Ensures assigned program areas remain aligned with current professional practices, certification requirements, and applicable curriculum standards. Monitors standards and emerging practices established by relevant professional and credentialing organizations, such as the College Reading and learning Association (CRLA) and National Financial Educators Council (NFEC), while evaluating and implementing appropriate updates to program operations, training, curriculum, and service delivery.
• Uses stakeholder feedback, assessment findings, and current best practices to recommend and implement program improvements.

Peer Educator Supervision, Communication, Recruitment, and Training - 30%

• Recruits, onboards, schedules, and directly supervises assigned undergraduate peer educators.
• Creates and facilitates Peer Educator training curriculum, supporting materials, and assessment efforts in conjunction with departmental, institutional, and relevant professional and credentialing organizations.
• Provides ongoing supervision, guidance, communication, and developmental support to peer educators involved in assigned programs, workshops, and initiatives.
• Directly supervises assigned student employees, including ongoing guidance and feedback, monitoring performance and policy compliance, addressing and documenting performance concerns, and implementing appropriate follow-up actions in coordination with departmental leadership as needed. - Fosters a positive team culture characterized by professionalism, reliability, collaboration, accountability, and student-centered service.

Programming and Outreach - 20%

• Plans, facilitates, and assesses programs, workshops, and events aligned with assigned responsibilities. Initiatives may raise awareness of available resources or build students knowledge and skills in financial literacy, study strategies, time management, and other areas that support academic success.
• Develops and implements individualized outreach to connect students with appropriate Peer Education resources and strategies that strengthen persistence and academic engagement.
• Maintains appropriate follow-up communication with previously supported students to encourage goal completion, resource use, and continued help-seeking behaviors.
• Collaborates with the Office of Marketing and Communications to develop and implement departmental communication plans, marketing strategies, and outreach campaigns that align with institutional branding and marketing efforts.
• Participates in orientation, campus events, class visits, and other outreach opportunities.
• Fosters collaborative relationships with faculty, staff, academic departments, student organizations, and community partners to strengthen departmental services and programs.

Campus Collaboration and Referrals - 5%

• Collaborates with offices to connect students with additional resources that facilitate student success.
• Provides referrals in accordance with established College and department procedures.
• Serves as a liaison between Peer Education and the broader campus community for assigned programs and initiatives.
• Participates in campus and community activities related to academic and student success.

Assists with Institutional Effectiveness - 5%

• Uses appropriate technologies and data sources to assess student participation, progression, and program effectiveness.
• Collects, organizes, summarizes, and communicates data on program usage, satisfaction, learning outcomes, and other relevant assessments.
• Assists with reports that demonstrate program effectiveness and contribute to student persistence, retention, and success.
• Develops collaborative partnerships with administrators, faculty, and staff to advance institutional student-success efforts.
• Performs other related duties as assigned in support of Peer Education, Student Success, and institutional priorities.

Required Qualifications

Educational Requirements

• Associates degree or an equivalent combination of education and related work experience.

Other Required Qualifications

• One year of related experience
• Ability to obtain Financial Education Instructor certification through the National Financial Educators Council (NFEC) within the first 60 days of employment, if assigned responsibilities include Financial Fitness initiatives.

Preferred Qualifications

Additional Preferred Qualifications

• Baccalaureate degree preferred.
• Experience coordinating programs, outreach efforts, and/or engagement initiatives.
• Experience facilitating workshops and/or success skill programming.
• Experience demonstrating knowledge or skill in one or more programs within the Peer Education portfolio, such as academic support services, financial literacy, writing center oversight, mathematics and science learning center oversight, and college-success skill development.
• Possession of, or ability to readily obtain, a valid drivers license.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

ABILITIES

• Ability to learn and apply specialized content, professional standards, procedures, and certification guidelines relevant to an assigned program area.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, manage competing priorities, and resolve routine operational concerns.

KNOWLEDGE

• Knowledge of Dalton State College and the University System of Georgia policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of applicable federal laws, regulations, and requirements related to the position.
• Knowledge of requirements, standards, and best practices established by professional, certifying, and credentialing organizations relevant to assigned program areas, including, as applicable, the College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA) and the National Financial Educators Council (NFEC).
• Knowledge of issues, practices, and trends related to student development, learning support, and academic success.
• Knowledge of management principles.
• Knowledge of job-related technology, scheduling systems, learning platforms, and standard office software.

SKILLS

• Skill in decision-making and problem-solving.
• Skill in collaborating with multiple constituents.
• Skill in collecting, organizing, interpreting, and communicating basic program assessment data.
• Skill in interpersonal, oral, and written communication.

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.

Conditions of Employment

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with Dalton State College, as determined by Dalton State College in its sole discretion, confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. Applicants may be subject to a pre-employment drug test. Offers are made expressly subject to the applicable federal and state laws, to the statutes, rules and regulations of this institution and to the Bylaws and Policies of the Board of Regents (BOR) of the University System of Georgia (USG), which are available for your inspection upon request.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Equal opportunity and decisions based on merit are fundamental values of Dalton State College (DSC). As a member of the University System of Georgia, we follow the Board of Regents policy, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of an individuals age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status ("protected status"). No individual shall be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise subjected to unlawful discrimination, harassment, or retaliation under, any DSC program or activity because of the individuals protected status; nor shall any individual be given preferential treatment because of the individuals protected status, except that preferential treatment may be given on the basis of veteran status when appropriate under federal or state law.

All employment processes and decisions, including but not limited to hiring, promotion, and tenure, shall be free of ideological tests, affirmations, and oaths, including diversity statements. The basis and determining factor for all such decisions should be that the individual possesses the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with the role, and is believed to have the ability to successfully perform the essential functions, responsibilities, and duties associated with the position for which the individual is being considered. At the core of any such decision is ensuring the institutions ability to achieve its mission and strategic priorities in support of student success.

Dalton State College is an Equal Opportunity Institution. For questions or more detailed information regarding this policy, please contact Dalton State Colleges Office of Human Resources at 706-272-2034. Individuals requiring disability related accommodations for participation in any event or to obtain print materials in an alternative format, please contact the Office of Human Resources at 706-272-2034.

Other Information

This position does not have any financial responsibilities.

Possession of, or ability to readily obtain, a valid drivers license.

This role is not considered a position of trust.

This position does not require a purchasing card (P-Card).

This position does not require security clearance.