Associate Director for the Office of TRIO Programs
Job Description
The Educational Opportunity Centers grant is funded by the U.S. Department of Education and this position is dependent upon grant funding. This position is employed on a letter of appointment basis for 10 months running from August 1, through May 31; the person in this position will have an office at Montana State University Billings. The applicant chosen for the position will travel to Wheatland, Golden Valley, Musselshell, Treasure, Yellowstone, Sweet Grass, Stillwater, Carbon, and Big Horn counties to meet with participants and at times assist the Eastern Montana Outreach Advisor with their counties.
The following are reasons why you should join our team:
- Work-life balance
- Holidays-10 paid holidays per year and 1 Floating Holiday
- Vacation- 15 days per year (New Employees to 10 years; after 10 years the accrual rate increases)
- Sick Leave – Earned at an accrual rate of .0416125 for each hour in pay status.
- Employee and Dependent Tuition Waiver
- Opportunities to engage in professional development opportunities
- Committed to employee wellness and access to a robust Employee Assistance Program
- Medical Benefits that are robust and affordable
- Visit MUS Benefits to learn more about our benefit package including
- Medical, Vision, and Dental
- Life Insurance and Long Term Disability are incorporated into our benefits
- Learn more about our retirement benefits at MUS Retirement
- Opportunities for career growth and a variety of career paths
- Campus vibrancy- coffee shops, FREE attendance to MSUB concerts, athletic events, and lectures, access to recreation center, library, etc.
- Beautiful campus environment that features our MSUB Mile walking path
This position provides post-secondary education advising support to a caseload of individuals 16 and older at assigned target areas throughout 9 counties in south central Montana and works closely with the Eastern Montana Outreach Advisor and other Office of TRIO Programs staff.
DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Recruit and serve a large caseload of individuals at assigned counties.
- Diagnose participant needs and develop action plans to address participant needs.
- Advise and counsel participants concerning employment opportunities and careers.
- Counsel participants regarding the college admissions process.
- Provide financial literacy and financial aid application counseling to participants.
- Provide direct service and support to participants through academic and career planning from the point of admission to the program through post-secondary entrance.
- Refer participants to community resources such as job services, adult education centers, etc.
- Provide services related to orientation, registration, assessment of learning, referral to appropriate supports, and facilitate participant engagement in academic, and career planning activities.
- Document participant information in participant database.
- Assist in the coordination of special events including but not limited to FAFSA nights, recruitment presentations, scholarship searches, etc.
- Travel to service areas and professional development.
- Coordinate large events
- Assist participants with college preparation and planning including but not limited to FAFSA completion, ACT/SAT preparation and completion, GED and HiSET preparation and completion, SMART goal setting, academic skills assessment, etc.
- Assist the Executive Director in implementation of long-term goals and program strategies ensuring that grant objectives of the U.S. Department of Education are met; assists in establishing productivity and efficiency.
- Assists with data management and maintain the integrity of student records.
- In the absence of the Executive Director, acts to ensure the ED’s responsibilities are properly taken care of. This involves making critical decisions on a priority basis and representing the institution as requested.
- Assist the Executive Director with grant writing and additional fundraising.
- Other duties as assigned.
QUALITIES:
- Passion for education as a tool for individual, economic, and social change.
- Experience in recruitment and community networking.
- Experience in planning and developing large group activities and events.
- Experience with financial aid.
- Ability to work with individuals, and groups, in areas of college access, academics and advising.
- Knowledge of testing instruments (for example GED, HiSET and ACT).
- Ability to travel weekly throughout the 9-county region in all seasons.
- Proficiency in technologies such as: databases, Microsoft Office Suite software, digital and social media, video conferencing technology such as Zoom, and virtual learning environments such as Canvas or D2L
- Excellent oral communication skills (can speak persuasively in positive or negative situations; listen and get clarification; respond well to questions; participate in meetings.)
- Excellent written communication skills (write informatively; edit work for spelling and grammar; vary writing style to meet needs; present numerical data effectively; able to read and interpret written information.)
- Excellent customer service skills (manage difficult or emotional participant situations; respond promptly to participant needs; meet commitments.)
- Experience with target population.
- Energetic, flexible, and willing to work some evenings/weekends.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Driving, sitting, standing, walking, bending over, climbing, reaching overhead, kneeling, pushing & pulling, crouching/stooping, lifting up to 25lbs, typing, note taking, multitasking.
Special Instructions:TRIO SSS is funded by the U.S. Department of Education and this position is dependent upon grant funding.
Experience Required: 2 or more years of experience relative to skills and qualifications listed
- 3 years of experience relative to skills and qualifications listed:
- Knowledge of TRIO programs
- Experience with first-generation and low-income populations
- Experience with military and veterans students and their families
Montana State University Billings is committed to providing a working and learning environment free from discrimination. As such, the University does not discriminate in the admission, access to or conduct of its educational programs and activities nor in its employment policies and practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, creed, service in the uniformed services (as defined in state and federal law), veteran status, gender, age, political beliefs, marital or family status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation or preference. In support of the University’s mission to be inclusive and diverse, applications from qualified minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities are highly encouraged.
Montana State University Billings makes accommodation for any known disability that may interfere with an applicant’s ability to compete in the hiring process or an employee’s ability to perform the duties of the job. In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU Billings provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference or request accommodation, contact the Human Resources Office, Montana State University Billings, 1500 University Drive, Billings, MT 59101-0298, 406-657-2278, employment@msubillings.edu.
MSU Billings Non-Discrimination Policy and Discrimination Grievance Procedures can be located on the MSU Billings Website: http://www.msubillings.edu/humres/eeos.htm
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