Position Summary

The TRIO Student Support Services Academic Coordinator (AC) ensures the advising needs of all SSS participants at the Cassville and McDonald County Centers are met. The AC provides academic, career, social/personal, financial, and transfer advising for SSS participants. The AC serves as a liaison to Student Services, Financial Aid, Admissions, Coordinator for the Student Accessibility Office, individual faculty, and other offices, as needed. The AC reports directly to the SSS Cassville/McDonald County Director and will work and serve participants at both Centers.

Essential Job Duties

• Provide academic, career, social/personal, financial, and transfer advising to individuals and groups of SSS project participants at both Cassville and McDonald County Centers;
• Maintain a high level of confidentiality and follow FERPA guidelines.
• Assist with identification and recruitment of eligible participants;
• Develop materials and present workshops on topics such as career exploration, study skills, resume writing, budgeting, etc.;
• Document SSS participant progress and maintain consistent contact between participants and SSS staff;
• Create materials (flyers, brochures, etc.) for use on campus and social media;
• Compose articles for student spotlights highlighting graduates, etc.;
• Conduct career exploration workshops for SSS participants and coordinate these services with other campus advisors/personnel;
• Provide information and assistance to SSS participants regarding transfer to four-year institutions;
• Coordinate SSS participant tutoring activities;
• Chaperone SSS cultural enrichment activities and college visits;
• Assist SSS participants in searching to meet their full financial needs, including aid in filing the FAFSA, scholarship searches, and location of community resources;
• Monitor mid-term academic progress and advise SSS participants on options to improve low grades;
• Develop SSS participants’ general communication/job interviewing skills which includes assistance with the development of résumés and cover letters;
• Work with the Student Accessibility Office to identify and address the needs of SSS students;
• Work with SSS staff to maintain a high profile among faculty and the campus at large; and
• Fulfill any other duties requested by the Director which job-related circumstances may demand.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Bachelor’s degree in higher education, social work, education or related field.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Must possess valid driver’s license and driving record must not adversely affect college insurance.
• Minimum of two (2) years of appropriate and relevant professional experience working in a TRIO federal program or similar related program/project for disadvantaged and at-risk college students.

• Experience advising and assisting participants with the transfer to four-year university/college admissions and financial aid process.
• Ability to plan, organize, and implement responsibilities effectively.
• Ability to effectively maintain a caseload of project participants and provide them with services and activities as indicated on their Individual Service Plans
• Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with students, professionals, staff, and the public.

 

Preferred Knowledge Skills & Abilities

• Master’s Degree in higher education, social work, education or related field.
• Demonstrates experience working with college students and disadvantaged populations.
• Professional or personal experiences in overcoming barriers similar to those confronting Project Participants.
• Demonstrates Effective Student “Coaching”, specifically in the areas of guiding Participants with goal setting,

time management, self-advocacy, and study skills.

• Knowledge of academic advising and college, career, financial aid and economic literacy activities and related services for low income and potential first-generation college students.

 

Information Technology Abilities

• Ability to operate a personal computer within the Crowder College Network environment using the currently available Microsoft Windows operating system.
• Ability to use E-mail and associated calendaring/scheduling applications.
• Ability to utilize basic functions of Microsoft Office.
• Ability to learn and perform basic student database (Jenzabar) functions.

 

Positions Supervised

• SSS Project Tutors, if applicable.

Working Environment

• Generally, indoors in a normal office environment with minimal exposure to temperature changes, noise, dust or chemicals.
• Normal college working hours but adjustment of hours involving evening and/or weekend work may be required from time to time.
• Must be able to travel several days a week as well as an occasional overnight trip.
• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• A neat appearance and appropriate businesslike apparel are required.

 

Physical

• Sedentary office administration work involving sitting part of the time, also involves mobility within the office, campus, and external locations.
• Other activities require lifting up to 50 pounds, moving materials from one place to another.
• Input, access and distribute information-using computers.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, or crouch; and talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.
• The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Creative and Analytical Skills

• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.