Director, TRiO Student Support Services Program

About Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts:

At MCLA, we're here for all - and focused on each - of our students. As a 2019 Top Ten Public College, classes are taught by educators who care deeply about teaching, and about seeing their students thrive on every level of their lives. Nearly 93% of our graduates land competitive jobs or are accepted by some of the best grad schools in the country. We engage in the most nationally relevant conversations by hosting some of the most celebrated thinkers and speakers on our campus in the Berkshires of Massachusetts, an area known for its mountain ranges, hiking trails, and panoramic views. Our home town of North Adams is brimming with creative energy and the regional economy is booming as a result. In nearly every way possible, the experience at MCLA is designed to elevate you as an individual, a leader, and a communicator, fully empowered to make your impression on the world.


Job Description:

MCLA is accepting applications for Project Director for the TRiO Student Support Services Program (SSS). SSS is a U.S. Department of Education grant-funded TRiO program, providing comprehensive academic support services to college students with a range of academic needs and are first-generation college, low income, and/or have a disability. The Project Director will lead the development, implementation, administration, and activities of the program in accordance with federal regulations and grant objectives.

This is a full-time grant-funded position.

DETAILED STATEMENT OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Oversees the overall implementation of the TRiO grant; administer the program budget and authorize expenditures of federal funds in collaboration with the Chief Diversity Officer (CDO).
2. Develop, direct, and evaluate SSSP in accordance with USDOE SSS rules and regulations; design and implement SSSP policies and procedures.
3. With support from project staff, complete and submit, in accordance with USDOE instructions, the Annual Performance Report (APR)
4. Plan and implement with project staff a recruitment and persistence plan; assure equal access to project services for all project participants.
5. Supervise the selection/eligibility of project participants according to SSS guidelines; collect and maintain program data and prepare reports as required by the USDOE and MCLA.
6. Recruit, hire, train, supervise, and evaluate project staff and student employees; submit weekly attendance to payroll.
7. Maintain a student caseload; allocate appropriate caseload assignments to full- and part-time project staff.
8. Establish and maintain liaisons with the offices of Admission, Student Financial Services, Counseling Services, Residential Programs & Services, Dean of Students, Student Life, the Center for Student Success and Engagement (CSSE) including Disability Services, Athletics, academic departments, the Writing Studio and Math Drop-In Center, and other important campus resources to ensure all required services are provided to SSSP project participants.
9. Plan and facilitate regular SSSP staff meetings and meet regularly with the Associate Dean (Who is this; our Associate Deans are Emily Alling, Paul Petritis and Ian Bergeron.).
10. Participate in college wide initiatives.
11. Plan and facilitate program-sponsored events in collaboration with project staff.
12. Coordinate public relations initiatives for the project, and foster an institutional climate to support the project mission, goals, and objectives.
13. Disseminate USDOE and TRiO related information to the CDO, project staff and students, and when relevant, to the wider MCLA community.
14. Serve as the university representative with the USDOE.
15. Perform other duties as assigned by the Chief Diversity Officer.

Requirements:

1. Master's degree in relevant field (Education, Behavioral and/or Social Science, Higher Education Administration, Student Affairs Administration).
2. A minimum of three years of successful administrative and supervisory experience at the post-secondary level.
3. Experience developing and implementing academic support services for academically disadvantaged students.
4. Previous experience working with students with documented disabilities and students from diverse socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds.
5. Prior experience advising undergraduate students.
6. Previous work within a federal or state grant funded educational program and experience in designing, managing or implementing a TRiO Program (or similar program) preferred.
7. Working knowledge of student management database systems such as BANNER and Degree Works preferred.
8. Budget management experience required; prior experience with state and/or federal budget management preferred.
9. Experience with the process of writing a state and/or federal educational grant proposal preferred.
10. Knowledge of college/university academic and financial assistance procedures.
11. Ability to work with sensitive and confidential student information.
12. Knowledge of theories and best practices in student development.
13. Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain a productive working relationship with multiple constituencies across campus.
14. Proven organizational, supervisory, and management skills, as well as the ability to engage in effective conflict resolution.
15. Well-developed written and oral communication skills.

Preference will be given to individuals that have succeeded in overcoming the disadvantages and circumstances like those of the targeted population.


Additional Information:

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible, position in the APA bargaining unit. Salary is $63,000.

For questions regarding your application or specifics of this position, please contact hr@mcla.edu.

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts does not discriminate on the basis of sex in any education program or activity that they operate, which extends to admission and employment at MCLA. MCLA is required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 ("Title IX") to not discriminate in such a manner. Inquiries about the application of Title IX may be directed to each respective MCLA's Title IX Coordinator, to the Assistant Secretary of the Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, or both.

Nicole Comstock
Title IX Coordinator and Equal Opportunity Officer
Phone: (413) 662-5571
Email: Nicole.comstock@mcla.edu
Mailing Address: 375 Church Street, North Adams, MA 01247

U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights
33 Arch Street, 9th Floor Boston, MA 02119-1424
Telephone: (617) 289-0111; FAX: (617) 289-0150; TDD (877) 521-2172
Email: OCR.Boston@ed.gov


Application Instructions:

Deadline for applications is September 25, 2020.

Interested candidates must apply electronically and should submit a letter of interest and resume by clicking on the APPLY NOW button below.