Director of TRIO Program

William Paterson University • Wayne, NJ

71d • $91,668 - $110,002

About The Position

TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) is an academic support program for first-generation students of all backgrounds and/or those who demonstrate a financial need. TRIO SSS provides academic advising, career advising, financial aid assistance and graduate school preparation. The program also offers leadership development, and a supportive community focused on empowering students to succeed. The Director plans, organizes, manages, and provides administrative direction and oversight for all functions and activities of the TRIO Programs, including ensuring program compliance with Federal guidelines and regulations, grants management, and program progress reporting; developing and implementing program services as described in grant objectives and serving as primary contact person and representative to the Office of Federal TRIO Programs of the U.S. Department of Education. The inaugural Director, reporting to the Vice President for Student Development, will lead in the establishment of this new department and provide oversight for the TRIO SSS General and TRIO SSS/STEM programs.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in education, counseling, or related field.
• Three to five years of experience in educational program management, including hiring, training and supervision of personnel, budget management, and program development.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Computer skills including, database management, word processing, and spreadsheet applications.
• Experience with direct student support work around academic and collegiate success in one on one and workshop settings.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with TRIO, EOF, or other programs focused on low-income, first generation, or academically disadvantaged students is strongly preferred.
• Experience conducting program evaluation and preparing reports.
• Ability to manage multiple, competing tasks and prioritize projects in a complex environment while maintaining attention to details.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, exhibit resiliency under pressure, set priorities, achieve goals, assess complex situations, render fair judgments, and maintain strong ethical and professional standards.

Responsibilities

• Organizes, monitors, and manages goals in compliance with the U.S. Department of Education program guidelines and the specific requirements contained in the William Paterson University grant proposals.
• Reports data: tracks expenditures and keeps financial records in accordance with federal guidelines.
• Audits all student records are complete, current, and confidential; reviews TRIO Program materials and monitors content, schedules, and budgets against grant requirements.
• Represents the TRIO programs in formal and informal venues, facilitates communication and discussion regarding the program’s operations and goals and the needs of SSS participants.
• Conducts research, and reports research findings.
• Establishes and maintains close working relationships with various University representatives, the federal government (Department of Education), target schools’ faculty and administrators, and community agencies.
• Directs recruitment planning, outreach, reviews and selection of program participants; responsible for maintaining required program totals for federal funding.
• Develops and operates an effective tracking and monitoring system for program participants.
• Assures TRIO Programs meet all grant obligations in a timely manner.
• Prepares thorough, professional and timely reports in compliance with U.S. Department of Education requirements.
• Conducts regular assessment using institutional dashboards, surveys and other relevant tools/best practices to ensure achievement of program objectives.
• Leads, manages and supports a case load of TRIO students, providing frequent and regular engagement, advice and support regarding college course completion, study abroad opportunities, financial literacy, financial aid, career exploration, graduate school enrollment, and other academic, social, personal, and cultural support.
• Supervises and at times conducts caseload management, outreach and intervention to ensure student participant engagement and success.
• Utilizes Navigate to monitor progress and engage with other successful team partners on campus.
• Recruits, selects, trains, coaches, supervises, and evaluates staff members in compliance with the University policies and procedures.
• Completes and submits the Annual Performance Reports (APR) in accordance with USDOE instructions, with support from project staff.
• Oversees the summer bridge program, including providing leadership around program offerings, supervision of residential students during summer, delivering workshops as needed, and providing guidance to staff.
• Plans and implements recruitment and persistence plan; assures equal access to project services for all project participants.
• Establishes and maintains liaisons with the offices of Admissions, Financial Aid, academic advisement, academic success/achievement, Student Enrollment Services, Career Development, academic departments and other important campus resources to ensure all required services are provided to project participants.
• Develops competencies and skills through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, and attending training and/or courses as required by the Vice President for Student Development.
• Participates in major University and Division events and programs (Admissions programs, Orientation, Welcome Week activities, Commencement, etc.).
• Other duties as assigned by Vice President.

Benefits

• Competitive benefits
• Four-day summer workweek
• Tuition support
• Strong opportunities for internal promotion
• Health and dental insurance
• Retirement plans

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: Master's degree