Director of TRIO Educational Talent Search

The Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity's (OMA&D) has an outstanding opportunity for a Director of TRIO Educational Talent Search (ETS) that can work out of the UW Seattle campus or closer to the Yakima Valley or Mount Vernon area. 

The Director reports to the Associate Vice President, College Access, and works closely with other members of the OMA&D administrative leadership team.  We seek a talented equity-minded individual who will exercise strategic leadership in and management of the Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity's (OMA&D) TRIO Educational Talent Search program. 

The primary purpose of the director position is to lead a federal funded TRIO program to provide information regarding postsecondary educational opportunities to middle school and high school students in Eastern and Northwestern Washington. This director manages the program budget, completes, and submits to the U.S. Department of Education an annual performance report and supervises two to three staff members. The ETS program works with counselors, administrators, teachers, parents, and other institutional officials to help student participants graduate from high school and to develop educational plans for post-secondary educational opportunities such as applying to two- and four-year colleges, financial aid, etc. This position also leads the strategy for recruitment of student 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 eligibility and application information, and post- secondary selection/application. It also requires the development and delivery of college preparatory curriculum for participants in approved target schools which is age/grade appropriate, and the development and implementation of program activities promoting college entry such as campus visits, and other college preparatory campus/initiatives.

This position offers a notable opportunity for a talented and skilled professional that has an admissions/recruitment background, has a demonstrated commitment to diversity and equity, and has passion for expanding higher education opportunities for URMs, first generation, and low-income students. The partner school districts are Mount Vernon, Marysville, Sedro Wooley, Toppenish, Wapato and Mount Adam’s School District in White Swan, WA. The position is currently listed to work out of the UW Seattle Campus and then travel frequently to partner schools.  However, UW is open to assigning a different workstation if close to the partner schools (i.e. Yakima Valley or Mount Vernon).  Hybrid remote work flexibility is offered by the UW.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Duties & Responsibilities: 
40% Provide overall leadership, strategic direction to plan and implement academic year programming for 700 student participants to ensure financial, academic, and transitional programming in 6th through 12th grades. This includes meeting goals and objectives of the grant; short term and longs term planning with measurable objectives. Collaborate with middle and high schools to identify, recruit, and offer programs to eligible student participants. Oversee the daily operation of Talent Search program. Maintain effective communication and liaison with Target School personnel, college staff and administration, and other community agencies who collaborate to provide services for participants and their families.

10% Lead and manage all aspect of administrative functions pertaining to grant administration/compliance within the University of Washington systems.  This includes UW internal processes for financial and budget management of grant funds.  Ensure compliance with UW Grants and Contracts (GCA), MyFinancial Desktop, MySAGE and all UW facing requirements including records management, student records privacy, and ensure compliance with State Ethics and other university policies are communicated and followed. Ensure compliance with Federal grant guidelines.

10% Manage all aspects of the relationship with grant sponsor the U.S. Department of Education in collaboration with the Principal Investigator (PI).  Ensure compliance with TRIO legislation, EDGAR, and Dept of Education regulations for Talent Search.  As essential personnel, manage relationship and communication with Dept of Education program officer and G-5 and grants.gov system to manage education grants.  Ensure requirements regarding records and data management are followed.  Submit annual progress reports and submit budget reports as requested by program officer. Work collaboratively with UW’s Office of Sponsored Programs to complete this requirement.  As RFPs are released for future Talent Search funding, lead the planning and manage the process for submitting a new grant proposal with the assigned PI.

20% Lead and supervise the UW ETS team. Recruit, hire, onboard, and evaluate staff of the ETS team made up of two-three staff members. Provide day-to-day management, support, training and mentorship. Foster professional development, and evaluate work performance, promote the continuation of healthy and creative team climate that is based upon cooperation, trust, pride, and respect.

5% Collaborate with existing programs in OMA&D, other UW pre-college programs and, college access organizations in the State of Washington.

5% Develop effective internal and external communications plan for the UW ETS Partnership with its students, families, schools, educators and community. Increase awareness, visibility, and support for ETS throughout the State of Washington.

5% Identify other grant/financial sources/opportunities to enhance ETS programming and to implement new initiatives to support student success.

5% Other Duties as Assigned

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
• Master's Degree and 4 - 5 years’ experience with:
• At least three years of professional experience in staff supervision, budget management, program development and evaluation, reporting, and compliance with federal regulations.
• Five years professional experience in either federal TRIO programs, academic support programs or similar programs for low-income 6-12 graders who are potential first-generation college students. Experience providing academic advising services, and college, career, financial aid, and economic literacy information.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
• Excellent communication and organizational skills. Evidence of the ability to write grant proposals and communicate clear and concise information orally and in written reports.
• An understanding of the unique regional cultural diversity in the State of Washington served by TRIO Talent Search.

DESIRED EXPERIENCE
• Familiarity with Washington State post secondary admission requirements.
• Experience executing student service programming. Working with TRiO, MESA or any of the federal grant supported pre-college and outreach programs.
• Experience in overcoming barriers similar to those of Talent Search students preferred.
• Strong attention to accuracy and detail
• Excellent knowledge of general office and software applications
• Ability to prepare and analyze reports
• Ability to effectively prioritize duties
• High level of customer service

The position is currently listed to work out of the UW Seattle Campus and then travel frequently to partner schools.  However, UW is open to assigning a different workstation if close to the partner schools (i.e. Yakima Valley or Mount Vernon).  Hybrid remote work flexibility is offered by the UW.  Reliable transportation for travel within Washington is required. Must be willing to drive to remote and rural areas; accompany students on field trips. Some evening and weekend work may be required. Must have valid WA state drivers license.