TRIO Student Support Services Director

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TRIO Student Support Services Director

The

University of Montana

invites applications for the next

Director of TRIO Student Support Services (TRIO SSS)

. The Director of TRIO SSS, reporting to the Executive Director of the UM Office for Student Success, is responsible for the administration and management of the TRIO SSS program as legislated by the Higher Education Act and regulated by the U.S. Department of Education. This program provides educational support for eligible students who may have high financial need, first-generation college students and students with disabilities. The Director oversees the identification and selection of eligible students who are enrolled at the University of Montana. The Director implements a comprehensive program of academic support services and welcoming community and sense of belonging for the participating students, enhancing their potential for persistence and achievement in higher education and graduation. The Director consults with faculty, staff, and community partners regarding resources for program participants.

Manages implementation of the projects activities, goals and objectives, guided by funded proposal, federal regulations/guidelines, and University policies.

Manages and develops budget of approximately $490,000 per year; ensures compliance with relevant federal and UM regulations.

Serves as liaison with U.S. Department of Education Program Officer; oversees completion of Annual Performance Report and other information.

Promotes collaboration and partnership within UM, advocates for changes that will enhance the academic success of program participants.

Advocates for students by serving on relevant committees and representing TRIO SSS at appropriate campus meetings. Represents program at state, regional, national TRIO association gatherings, provides leadership and advocacy within those associations.

Provides information to faculty, staff, and students on TRIO programs and services.

Educate and inform state legislators on TRIO SSS and UM TRIO Scholars, maintaining regular communications.

Hires, trains, supervises, and evaluates five to eight (5-8) professional staff and student employees; facilitates training and professional development for self and staff as appropriate.

Develop, deliver, and/or manage delivery of academic support programs.

Counsel students to assist in the resolution of academic and personal issues affecting student success, and to plan for high impact opportunities and next steps after graduation.

Assess student participants’ needs, develop students’ four-year plans for academic success and personal development, and monitor students’ progress.

Write recommendations for students and student leaders.

Serve as facilitator/presenter for group educational programs and support outreach to other units on behalf of TRIO Scholars.

Overall administration of grant according to approved grant application and legislation and regulations as set forth in Code of Federal Regulations, Title 34, Part 646 and Uniform Guidance at 2 CFR 200.

Execute annual grant budget development and submit to UM Sponsored programs office and the Dept. of Education program officer.

Oversee overall program budget and approve all expenses according to UM and federal guidelines with appropriate checks and balances.

Oversee and conduct program assessment and evaluation processes.

Assure all participant services are documented in program database and assure all educational advisors are consistently entering accurate information into Student Access.

Lead TRIO staff in semester and annual planning to reach student count aligned with grant regulations and guidelines.

Engage in strategic planning that maximizes synergy and positive outcomes for TRIO Scholars programming and its collaboration with all university partners.

Work collaboratively with Financial Aid to determine participants’ eligibility to receive Grant Aid and make awards. Track spending and participant count to remain within reasonable percentages by time of year.

Responsible for working with Program Coordinator in preparing and submitting the U.S. Department of Education Annual Performance Report and other documents, according to the department’s guidelines such as the Higher Education Act (HEA), program regulations, EDGAR, and related cost principles

Manage the maintenance of program and service records and files according to federal grant regulations.

Seek external funding to complement services.

Manage UM Foundation accounts—unrestricted, book loan and LaBuhn Book loan.

Attend conferences and training workshops.

The University of Montana is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity in all areas. In that spirit, we are particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of qualified people who would assist the University in demonstrating its five priorities for action

: Place student success at the center of all we do; drive excellence and innovation in teaching, learning, and research; embody the principle of “mission first, people always; partner with place; and proudly tell the UM story.

Position Details

The position is full-time, 1.0 FTE grant-funded MUS Contract professional, and includes a comprehensive and competitive benefits package

, including an insurance package, mandatory retirement plan, partial tuition waiver, and wellness program.

The salary for this position is $60,000-$70,000 annually, commensurate with qualifications.

Required Qualifications

Demonstrated experience with grant management, budgets, and data analysis

Demonstrated experience integrating technology in the delivery of services, programs, and activities including for tracking and reporting

Familiarity with information systems, databases such as Student Access, EAB Navigate, and Microsoft Office Suite

Excellent oral and written communication skills for public speaking as well as presenting ideas and concepts to smaller teams

Strong interpersonal skills, and ability to apply the principles of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility

Knowledge of college student development, cognitive and non-cognitive skills, and facility with academic research and literature reviews

Demonstrated success working with TRIO eligible populations: high financial need, first-generation college students, students with disabilities, and with other students whose intersectional identities have historically been underrepresented in higher education.

Commitment to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for staff, faculty, and students of diverse backgrounds and intersectional identities.

Demonstrated commitment and experience with integrated management and systems thinking, ability to operationalize program goals, prioritize work and benchmark progress toward outcomes and goals.

Five (5) years of recent, successful, progressively responsible professional experience in secondary or postsecondary education, three (3) years of which include administrative and supervisory responsibilities.

Successful working experience in a secondary or post-secondary educational setting with students who are low-income, first generation, or are students with disabilities.

Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply federal regulations

Awareness of diversity of UM’s student body; knowledge about how race, cultural, and socioeconomic background can affect success in education, particularly for Native American students

Demonstrated understanding of factors that influence persistence and graduation of disadvantaged students, and common intervention strategies including academic advising, tutoring, and other services provided by TRIO SSS

Ability to manage the use of a complex database information system for organizing information, creating reports, and facilitating long-term student tracking

Preferred Qualifications

Prior experience working for a TRIO program or similar program serving at risk students in education. Demonstrated prior experience working with Native American students at the secondary or post-secondary education levels.

Three or more (3 ) years’ experience designing and writing federal grant proposals to advocate for and continue the current TRIO Student Support Services program

About TRIO SSS

and UM

TRIO Student Support Services is a unique program funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education and has been a part of UM's services to students since 1979. We provide assistance to at least 375 active students every year. Students who participate in the program come from every academic department and major on campus. To participate in the program, students must meet eligibility guidelines that are based on household income, parent's education or student disability. TRIO Student Support Services seeks to achieve specific goals identified in the funded proposal for academic standing, retention, and graduation of participating students.

The University of Montana is flagship, research institution with more than 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students. It is located in Missoula, a culturally vibrant community of about 75,000, surrounded by mountains and three rivers converge. Abundant recreational opportunities in surrounding state and national forests and nearby Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park complement a thriving intellectual atmosphere.

To learn more about the University of Montana, please visit the links below.

University of Montana

Video: Mission First, People Always

UM on YouTube

Criminal Background Investigation is required prior to Offer of Employment.

In accordance with University policy, finalists for this position will be subject to criminal background investigations.

ADA/EOE/AA/Veteran's Preference.

Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request. As an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, we encourage applications from minorities, veterans, and women. Qualified candidates may request veterans’ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law.

References

*References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant.

Testing

Individual hiring departments at UM may elect to administer pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions.

Employment Eligibility.

All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9).

Company info

The University of Montana
Website : https://www.umt.edu