TRIO Director

CSU Careers•Bakersfield, CA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The TRIO Director administers, implements, and evaluates federally funded TRIO services, ensuring compliance with federal regulations and campus policies. Under the administrative direction of the Associate Vice President for Student Success, the Director manages federal budgets, prepares grant proposals and performance reports, leads daily operations, oversees curriculum and co-curricular programming, analyzes student outcomes, and supervises and trains program staff. The role cultivates campus and community partnerships to provide wraparound services and serves as the campus liaison to the U.S. Department of Education and national TRIO networks. The Director provides direct advisement and case management to first-generation and low-income students, coordinates academic and financial support, monitors student progress, and maintains confidential records. The position also leads program evaluation, grant compliance and documentation, outreach, events, staff development, and collaboration with campus departments, schools, and community organizations. This is a full-time, on-site temporary position ending on or before August 31, 2027; continuation beyond that date depends on satisfactory performance and available funding.

Requirements

Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university in a related field.
Five or more years of experience working in advising or a related career field.
Experience that includes grant program work.
At least two years providing lead direction or supervision in a department, program, or academic support services office.
Possess a valid driver’s license or be able to obtain one by the date of hire.
Thorough knowledge of federal TRIO regulations, grant administration, and educational equity models.
Ability to lead and coordinate complex, multi-stakeholder programs and advise students individually or in groups on varied and complex matters.
Ability to analyze organizational, operational, policy, and procedural problems and make well-reasoned decisions based on relevant data.
Demonstrated customer-service experience requiring a high level of diplomacy and professionalism.
Ability to handle sensitive interpersonal situations tactfully and effectively, including conflicts and problems involving diverse personalities.
Ability to foster communication, teamwork, and effective working relationships within a diverse population and across cultural backgrounds.
Excellent communication skills, including the ability to convey information clearly and understandably; thorough knowledge of English grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
Ability to interpret, communicate, and apply policies and procedures, and maintain a high degree of confidentiality.
Excellent organizational and time-management skills, including prioritizing multiple assignments with fluctuating and time-sensitive deadlines.
Computer skills and competence with word-processing, spreadsheets, databases, online systems, the Internet, online calendaring, and email.
Working knowledge of, or ability to quickly learn, university infrastructure.
Willingness to travel and attend off-site training for occasional professional development.
Ability to work occasional holidays and adjust hours for special assignments; may be called back periodically for emergency work.
Regular and reliable attendance.
Satisfactory completion of a background check, including a criminal records check.
Ability to provide documentation verifying authorization to work in the United States and meet applicable state employment requirements.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Counseling, Education, Higher Education Leadership, Social Work, or a related field.
Experience writing or renewing federal grant proposals, such as TRIO, HSI, or Title V grants.
Bilingual English/Spanish.
Demonstrated skills in an institutional or educational environment and a customer-oriented, service-centered attitude.

Responsibilities

Develop and lead TRIO’s vision, goals, and operational strategies in alignment with federal grant expectations and campus student-success priorities.
Ensure TRIO services comply with grant requirements, federal regulations, and CSU Bakersfield priorities.
Prepare and submit the TRIO grant proposal every five years, including analyzing the request for proposals, setting strategic priorities, drafting narrative sections, coordinating approvals, and securing support letters.
Collaborate with the Office of Grants, Research, and Sponsored Programs throughout the grant cycle.
Attend annual Council for Opportunity in Education grant-writing workshops and national meetings to stay current on federal guidelines and practices.
Analyze student engagement, retention, persistence, and graduation data to guide program improvements and interventions.
Serve as the official liaison with the U.S. Department of Education and submit annual performance reports, budget justifications, and reapplications on time.
Manage program budgets under federal grant regulations and CSU financial policies, including procurement, tracking, and reconciliation.
Lead program evaluation planning, coordinate internal assessments, and oversee required external evaluations.
Maintain audit-ready eligibility records, service tracking, outcomes data, and financial reports.
Research and recommend policy and practice changes based on federal guidance, campus needs, and student feedback.
Coordinate curriculum development and administration for participants, including meetings with school sites and community partners and outreach presentations.
Lead program events, ceremonies, workshops, and field trips; orient students and/or parents to the TRIO Talent Search Program.
Provide direct advising and high-touch case management to first-generation and low-income students facing academic, financial, personal, or social barriers.
Develop individualized student success plans covering academic support, career planning, financial literacy, and wellness.
Coordinate tutoring, mentoring, study-skills workshops, and college-success seminars for participants.
Interpret financial aid policies and help students address FAFSA issues, SAP appeals, and scholarship access.
Monitor student progress through early-alert systems and coordinate interventions with faculty and academic advisors.
Maintain confidential student records in compliance with FERPA and use sound judgment with sensitive or high-risk cases.
Facilitate workshops and individual coaching to build students’ self-efficacy, goal-setting, and problem-solving skills.
Cultivate partnerships with Academic Affairs, Financial Aid, Counseling, Disability Services, and other departments.
Represent TRIO at campus, regional, statewide, and national meetings; share best practices and advocate for student needs.
Collaborate with local high schools, community colleges, community organizations, and alumni to build referral and outreach networks.
Contribute to campus student-equity and success initiatives and serve on committees and task forces as needed.
Address complex student concerns using trauma-informed and culturally competent approaches.
Direct, train, and evaluate professional and student staff; establish performance goals and professional development plans.
Foster a supportive, inclusive working environment and oversee workflows, timelines, and staffing to meet grant benchmarks and deliverables.
Travel and attend off-site professional development training as needed; work occasional holidays and adjust hours for special assignments; respond periodically to emergency work call-backs.