Director, TRIO Educational Talent Search

Colorado State University•Fort Collins, CO

8d•$85,000 - $87,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of the Educational Talent Search Program is a fulltime professional position reporting directly to the Executive Director of the Access Center and plays a mission critical role in the Access Center’s effort to expand equitable access to post-secondary education and training for historically excluded populations. This position provides administrative oversight and implementation of the TRIO ETS program including grant federal objectives, implementing program services to 1000 students, providing staff supervision, program services, and implementation of annual performance objectives outlined in the federally- approved grant application. The Director position oversees eleven school partnerships including outreach efforts located in Adams County, Larimar County, and Weld County. The salary is $85,000 and the position is a 12-month full- time Administrative-Professional university appointment with full university benefits package. Estimated start date: October 2026. Position and salary are contingent upon funding by the U.S. Department of Education. Finalists for the position will be required to undergo a background check.

Requirements

Master’s degree in education, liberal arts, behavioral / social sciences, social work, counseling, higher education administration, or related field from an accredited institution.
Minimum of five years’ experience in administering comprehensive college access or TRIO programs that serve low-income/ first generation students.
Minimum of three years’ experience in supervising professional and administrative staff.
Minimum of three years’ experience with budget management, program development, implementation and evaluation; reporting and compliance with federal regulations.
Minimum two years’ experience promoting educational or career access pathways that led to post-secondary enrollment, and/or completion of dual enrollment, computer and technical skills (CTE), and/or apprenticeship programs.
Minimum of three years’ experience promoting educational access and working with low-income, first-generation populations, providing academic assistance and knowledge of post-secondary enrollment and financial aid processes.
Valid Driver’s License.
Travel -- statewide recruitment travel and programing travel.

Nice To Haves

Strong communication skills, including writing, speaking, and use of computer applications.
Demonstrated commitment and experience working with underrepresented, and disadvantaged individuals (“Disadvantaged,” according to the U.S. Department of Education, signifies an individual who meets low-income guidelines and who is a potential first-generation college student. A “first generation” individual is a person whose parents have not earned a baccalaureate degree).
Demonstrated communication skills, including writing, speaking, and use of computer applications.
Experience with career / technical education and/or apprenticeship programs.
Demonstrated experience with participant recruitment for program participation.
Experience with Financial Wellness inclusive of FAFSA, Financial literacy, Financial Aid, and/or CASFA processes and procedures.
Experience with community outreach and building community partnerships.
Experience in grant-writing.
Experience with data systems, data analysis, and/or data processing.
Bilingual ability desirable (English/ Spanish).

Responsibilities

Plan, implement ETS grant proposal, manage program, implement policies, procedures, and federal regulations, maintain public relations with US Department of Education.
Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with key campus programs, administration, faculty, departments, community organizations, businesses.
Plan, develop, manage budget, monitor, ensure meeting of federal, state, and CSU fiscal rules and policies.
Hire, train, supervise and evaluate staff and performance.
Implement formative and summative program assessment, submit reports to the Department of Education.
Identify and pursue additional funding resources to supplement grant.
Other related duties as assigned.