Director, TRIO Achievers
Under the general direction of the Student Academic Services (SAS) Director, the TRIO Achievers Director plans, develops, implements, evaluates, administers and documents the federally funded Student Support Services (SSS) program. As the program's chief administrator, the Director is responsible for budget administration, overall staff supervision and compliance with all grant rules and regulations mandated by the United States Department of Education. In addition, the Director is responsible for interpreting university polices and procedures as they relate to the TRIO Achievers program participants. The Director also provides personal and academic advising services to TRIO Achievers program participants.
Design, develop, implement, supervise, administer, evaluate and document all TRIO Achievers program activities and services as outlined in the grant proposal
Oversee program activities including application process, mailings, program orientation and all on-going program activities
Establish timelines, priorities, plans of action and deadlines for program's projects and activities
Define the recruitment and selection methods for program participants
Identify, determine eligibility and select participants for the TRIO Achievers program
Provide input and make recommendations in administrative and academic policies that affect TRIO Achievers program participants
Oversee an integrated approach to assessing students' individual needs, services delivery and monitoring students' academic progress
Manage and evaluate program database
Coordinate the day-to-day operations of the TRIO Achievers program
Maintain records and files as required by Department of Education
Prepare and submit annual reports
Confer with State, Cal Poly Corporation and Sponsored Program staff concerning questions and issues related to the program
Oversee grant assessment component
Disseminate program information to faculty, staff and students and serve as spokesperson for program to community media sources
Represent the program in regional and national professional associations
Together with department budget analyst, prepare, document, monitor and administer Student Supper Services budget
Confer with Sponsored Programs staff and department budget analyst concerning budgetary questions and problems related to administration of program budget and keep informed of program updates
In collaboration with department budget analyst, complete program budget projections
Maintain and preserve required paper documentation for all project expenditures
Collaborate with Student Academic Services Director and department budget analyst to negotiate budget with the Department of Education for the initial funding cycle of each program grant award
In collaboration with the department budget analyst, prepare and submit continuation budgets as required by Department of Education
Design a timeline for annual scheduled advising activities
In collaboration with program participants, provide comprehensive academic advising from time of admission through graduation in identifying, pursuing and realizing appropriate educational and/or vocational goals
Provide intrusive advising assistance to program participants, i.e., advising which considers questions and issues beyond the scope of the presenting question or issue and includes follow-up - academic advising, career counseling, curriculum advising, values clarification, goals analysis, appropriate resolution through referrals of personal crises, depression, family problems, roommate and housing difficulties, adjustment to racism, etc.
Monitor academic progress of students
Trouble-shoot student issues and concerns, i.e., clarify policies, initiate student action and assist with plans for resolution
Provide assistance with course scheduling on individual and group basis. Work with students individually and in groups to develop skills in time management, test preparation, test taking and textbook processing. Work with students to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills related to academic and personal issues
Ensure proper service delivery to TRIO Achievers participants through liaison work with Student Academic Services advisors and campus departments. Initiate accurate and appropriate campus and community referrals
Provide oversight for planning and promoting graduate school visits
Participate in annual Open House and summer pre-enrollment academic advising activities, such as those provided by the Summer Advising Program and Summer Institute
Maintain current and accurate records on students served, referrals made, issues confronted, etc. Prepare annual reports regarding academic and personal advising
Recruit, hire, train and evaluate all professional and temporary staff
Oversee the assignment of projects, tasks, assignments and functions of all program staff
Provide timely and constructive performance evaluations for all program staff
Provide opportunities for professional development for appropriate program staff
Confer with department human resource specialist, Cal Poly Corporation and Sponsored Program personnel regarding staff recruitments and employee policy
Provide leadership for the research, writing and preparation of project grant funding proposals
Collaborate with the Grants Development Office on new and continuation grant applications that are submitted to the Department of Education
Collaborate with department budget analyst and IT data manager to prepare and write performance and continuation reports for the Department of Education
Prepare end-of-the year and other performance reports as required by Student Affairs Division and Cal Poly
Ensure project objectives and partnership agreements are in compliance with Department of Education
Serve as primary contact person for all communication with Department of Education personnel
Solicit institutional support and commitment for the program objectives including the elimination of educational, attitudinal and physical barriers that impede program participants' academic success
Participate on university committees as assigned by the Student Academic Services Director and network with other campus offices and departments in delivering services to program participants
Serve as an advocate to academic departments, academic colleges, campus and community resources on behalf of low-income, first-generation college and physically disabled college students
Responsibilities may also include teaching or substitute teaching a first year seminar course
Qualifications:
Master's degree plus three years of progressively responsible student services professional experience required
Experience in program planning, implementation and administration
Experience in reviewing and acting upon the most difficult individual and organizational problems
Experience in training, mentoring and supervising staff
Working knowledge of budget management
Experience in providing lead person expertise. Direct working experience in effective team coordination and demonstrable collaboration skills
Experience with analyzing problems, as well as recommending and implementing proposed solutions
Proven ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing including 1:1, small group and large group
Must possess proposal and report writing skills
Experience with academic and personal counseling/advising, especially with low-income, first generation college-bound and/or college students desirable
Experience and sensitivity working with multi-cultural, low-income, disabled and/or first-generation populations required
Must be able to maintain positive rapport with staff, administrators, students and parents including individuals from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in post-secondary education
Job related experience with on-line computer systems and experience with word processing, spreadsheets and databases required
Working knowledge of assessment procedures
Demonstrated ability to use analytical skills for designing learning assessments, interpreting results and making recommendations for future planning
Must possess strong organizational skills
Continued professional development expected
Must travel to target sites. Must have reliable transportation, ability to hold a valid California driver's license and a driving record acceptable to university insurance underwriters
Must be willing to travel and attend training programs off-site for occasional professional development
Experience with a TRIO program or other educational equity program is desirable
Subject to continued funding.
Hiring Salary: $51,456-$53,400 per year
Cal Poly Corporation provides excellent benefits including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, retirement, paid sick leave/vacation and holidays. Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check, educational and employment verification, and reference check, as required.
Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Protected Veteran Employer