TRIO Educational Talent Search Advisor

James Madison University • Harrisonburg, VA

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

TRIO Talent Search Advisors partner with campus and community colleagues to identify and assist first generation income eligible students in 6th through 12th grade who attend local middle schools and high schools and want to continue with their post-secondary education. The program provides academic, career and financial aid counseling to participants. The goal of Talent Search is to increase the rate at which participants complete secondary education and enroll in and graduate from institutions of postsecondary education. The Advisor works directly works with the students, assisting them with academic class scheduling, implementing workshops, developing and implementing educational field trips and college tours, providing college application and financial aid assistance.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in education, social science, or related field.
• Familiarity with online resources for college admissions, FAFSA, scholarship applications, and career planning.
• Knowledge and sensitivity to the needs of economically and educationally disadvantaged youth, and an ability to establish rapport with low-income, first-generation college students and their parents.
• Must pass criminal background check to work in schools.

Responsibilities

• Identify and recruit eligible students.
• Plan, organize and execute activities, programs, and provides direct student services designed for middle school and high school students, in partnership with school divisions, such as test preparation, goal setting and related skills.
• Execute activities, programs, and provide direct student services designed for middle school, high school students and students who have dropped out of school or who not applied to post-secondary institutions in partnership with school divisions, such as test preparation, goal setting and related skills.
• Execute activities, programs, and services designed for transition to postsecondary enrollment, in partnership with the Office of Admissions, Financial Aid and other university departments.
• Execute activities, programs, and services designed for college degree attainment in partnership with faculty, administrators, and university advisors.
• Provide case management, academic support, curriculum development and advising services for students related to admissions and financial aid.
• Assist project director with the development of promotional materials, educational materials, training manuals, newsletters, and/or brochures, as appropriate to the program.
• Assists project director with efficient and effective data collection and management to inform continuous program improvement.
• Maintain accurate program/project records.
• Participate in staff meetings, unit meetings, and target school meetings.
• Assist TRIO Director with hiring and onboarding of student staff.
• Attend professional development workshops and conferences.

Benefits

• paid vacation
• sick leave
• parental leave
• community service leave
• 19 paid holidays annually
• health insurance options
• retirement benefits through the Virginia Retirement System
• Balanced Dukes program promotes wellness and work-life integration through resources, events, and support
• tuition waiver program for undergraduate and graduate courses taken at JMU

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level