TRIO Talent Search Academic Advisor (Multiple Open Positions)

University of Arkansas System • Fayetteville, AR

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The TRIO Talent Search Academic Advisor is one that generates, inspires, and sustains motivation in students who want to dream big and achieve their college and career goals. Serving as both coach and cheerleader, this role engages youth with energy, authenticity, and relatable guidance—whether in one-on-one advising or dynamic, interactive presentations that spark excitement for the future.

The Academic Advisor serves as a college/career preparatory coach and is designed to help students reach their educational and career goals. The primary responsibilities include recruitment of new participants; advisement on academic issues including the completion of a rigorous high school curriculum; high school graduation and college entry/graduation; scholarship and financial aid; application information; and post-secondary selection/application. The position requires the development and presentation delivery of college preparatory curriculum for participants in approved target schools which are engaging and age/grade appropriate, the development and implementation of program activities promoting college entry such as campus visits to area colleges and universities, summer camps, educational/career trips, and other college preparatory and campus initiatives. As required by the U.S. Department of Education, record keeping duties for this position include the entry and maintenance of hard copy and database files for all program participants, documentation of services provided, and tracking/reporting student progress for annual performance reporting. This position will regularly travel by car to nearby middle, junior high, and high schools and occasionally will be required to travel by air, bus or car for work-related student events or conferences.

Regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance is an essential job duty, as is the ability to create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others. A valid driver’s license in addition to reliable transportation is required for travel to schools.

The TRIO Talent Search program is a federally funded grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The Talent Search grants are currently starting the 5th year of a 5-year grant cycle (9/1/25-8/31/26) and are in the process of writing for another 5 years of continued funding.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in education, counseling, social work, family studies, behavioral science, public administration, or related field from an accredited institution of higher education
• At least two years of related work experience (middle and high school youth, first-generation and/or low-income students, etc.)
• Experience in educational, career, and personal curriculum development
• Knowledge of personal, academic, and career counseling strategies and practices
• Knowledge of academic requirements related to high school graduation, post-secondary enrollment, and post-secondary completion
• Proficient skill and knowledge in program development and/or implementation of college access and support services for high school students
• Proficient skill developing, organizing, presenting and implementing services related to college readiness in individual, small group, and large group settings
• Proficient skill communicating effectively with high school students, target school personnel, parents, and campus and community partners
• Proficient skill documenting, assessing, and evaluating program-related information and outcomes
• Skill in monitoring/assessing the performance of self, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action
• Proficient skill using Microsoft Office Suite, databases, design software, and other related technology
• Ability to interpret and apply federal regulations and guidelines to ensure compliance
• Ability to learn, evaluate, and synthesize detailed information related to secondary and post-secondary education completion
• Ability to serve as a positive role model for program participants
• A valid driver’s license in addition to reliable transportation is required for regular travel to target schools

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in education, counseling, social work, family studies, behavioral science, public administration, or another related field from an accredited institution of higher education
• Bilingual proficiency in Spanish and English

Responsibilities

• Recruitment of new participants
• Advisement on academic issues including the completion of a rigorous high school curriculum; high school graduation and college entry/graduation; scholarship and financial aid; application information; and post-secondary selection/application
• Development and presentation delivery of college preparatory curriculum for participants in approved target schools which are engaging and age/grade appropriate
• Development and implementation of program activities promoting college entry such as campus visits to area colleges and universities, summer camps, educational/career trips, and other college preparatory and campus initiatives
• Entry and maintenance of hard copy and database files for all program participants, documentation of services provided, and tracking/reporting student progress for annual performance reporting
• Regular travel by car to nearby middle, junior high, and high schools
• Occasional travel by air, bus or car for work-related student events or conferences

Benefits

• University contributions to health, dental, life and disability insurance
• Tuition waivers for employees and their families
• 12 official holidays
• Immediate leave accrual
• Choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10% of employee salary

What This Job Offers

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