Director - TRIO Programs - Azusa Pacific University

APU is seeking employees who desire to engage in our thriving culture by cultivating community through professional interactions, demonstrating a posture of lifelong learning, and modeling Christ-like character. Working together, employees at APU commit to establishing a university atmosphere that is pleasing to God and edifying to one another.

The TRIO Director plans, organizes, manages, and provides administrative direction and oversight for all functions and activities of the TRIO Programs, including ensuring program compliance with Federal guidelines and regulations, grants management, and program progress reporting; develops and implements program services as described in grant objectives and serves as a primary contact person and representative to the Office of Federal TRIO Programs of the U.S. Department of Education; researches and gathers various program data and develops reports. They are responsible for the direct hire, supervision, training, and evaluation of Student Support Services and Upward Bound program personnel; oversee the selection of program participants; develop and manage budgets for Student Support Services and Upward Bound; function as a liaison between TRIO Programs and Azusa Pacific University. The Director’s responsibilities include performing diverse, specialized, and complex work involving significant accountability and decision-making responsibility. Successful performance of the work requires an extensive professional background, as well as, skill in coordinating programmatic work.

This position is full-time with benefits and is grant-funded through August of 2025 with funding renewable based on project performance.

Required Education

• Master’s degree or doctorate in Education, Counseling, Student Affairs, Curriculum and Instruction, Psychology, or related field; or a master’s degree or doctorate.

Required Experience

• Three to five years of administrative experience administering services to increase college access, retention, and graduation of first-generation to college students.
• One year of experience in counseling and/or academic advising.
• Experience with budget planning and decision-making that positively affect project outcomes.
• Appropriate interpretation and application of Federal TRIO Guidelines, applicable laws, and regulations as it relates to Student Support Services and Upward Bound grants.
• Experience collaborating with academic offices, student affairs offices, and administrative leadership to develop partnerships that strengthen student retention programs.
• Demonstrated commitment to supporting the academic needs of students facing barriers to educational success through academic coaching/advising, counseling, instruction, advocacy, and/or education.
• Prior service with successful TRIO program administration.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Preferred - Life experience with barriers similar to those from TRIO target populations, including but not limited to being a member of an underrepresented group in higher education, being a first-generation student, being from a low-income family, or having a disability.

Primary Duties/Essential Functions

• Plans, manages, and oversees the daily functions, operations, and activities of Upward Bound and Student Support Services Operation (i.e., recruitment and selection of participants, outreach activities, promotional material, assessment, and evaluation).
• Participates in the development and implementation of strategic goals, grant objectives, policies, and priorities for the program; recommends within program policy, appropriate service levels, and resources; recommends and administers policies and procedures.
• Participates in the development, administration, and oversight of the program budget; monitors program expenditures to ensure compliance with established laws and institutional and federal regulations, as well as, funding agency requirements.
• Develops and standardizes procedures and methods to improve and continuously monitor the efficiency and effectiveness of the assigned program, service delivery methods, and procedures; assesses and monitors workload, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement and makes recommendations to the Associate Provost.
• Participates in the selection of, trains, motivates, supervises, and evaluates assigned personnel; works with employees on performance issues; recommends discipline to the Associate Provost. Assigned personnel include two program specialists, one program coordinator, two graduate students, undergraduate tutors, and peer mentors.
• Participates in developing strategic plans for Student Support Services and Upward Bound by coordinating with other APU departments, school districts, and external partners.
• Develops and implements annual TRIO Programs recruitment and publicity plan; conducts evaluation studies and prepares annual and progress reports to the U.S. Department of Education, as well as, school district, high school partners, and APU administrators.
• Provide direct student support through academic, advising, and non-cognitive development for an assigned roster of participants.
• Establishes and maintains relationships with school district officials, community leaders, various organizations, and public agencies to encourage participation, stimulate interest, and coordinate campus projects with assigned programs and activities.
• Develops and maintains the student tracking system to ensure compliance with program eligibility standards.
• Initiates oversees, and directs the collection of student data to measure and evaluate student success, including retention and persistence rates, passing rates, high school graduation rates, academic achievement scores, and college entrance information.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings and various committees and advisory groups; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of TRIO programs and other services as they relate to the area of assignment.
• Advises provides guidance, and prepares and delivers presentations on issues pertaining to the TRIO Programs.
• Build campus-wide awareness and understanding of Upward Bound and Student Support Services by providing presentations and networking to establish strong working relationships with leadership, faculty, and staff in a manner that best serves participants’ interests.
• Maintains and directs the maintenance of working and official departmental files.
• Monitors changes in laws, regulations, and technology that may affect program operations; implements policy and procedural changes as required.
• Prepares, reviews, and presents staff reports, various management and information updates, and reports to the Associate Provost.
• Responds to difficult and sensitive public inquiries and complaints and assist with resolutions and alternative recommendations.
• Learns and applies emerging technologies and, as necessary, performs duties in an efficient, organized, and timely manner.
• Collaborates with institutional offices to prepare continuation grant applications and support the compilation of grant proposals to bring future TRiO projects to APU.
• Maintain punctual attendance, electronic timekeeping as it applies to the scope of this position, and effort tracking for campus partner time commitments.
• Willing to work flexible/extended hours, including weekends.
• Responsible for daily electronic timekeeping as it applies to the scope of this position.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Skills

• Develop and implement goals, objectives, policies, procedures, work standards, and internal controls for Student Support Services and Upward Bound.
• Provide administrative and professional leadership and direction for all TRIO Programs.
• Prepare and administer budgets; allocate limited resources in a cost-effective manner. Research, apply for, and manage grant funding.
• Effectively administer a variety of TRIO Program's projects, events, and administrative activities.
• Effectively work with students of diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, and ethnic backgrounds.
• Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with applicable Federal, State, and institutional policies, procedures, laws, and regulations.
• Plan, organize, direct, and coordinate the work of professional and technical personnel; delegate authority and responsibility.
• Select, motivate, and evaluate the work of staff and train staff in work procedures. Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
• Effectively represent Azusa Pacific University and the TRIO Programs in meetings with various educational, business, professional, regulatory, and legislative organizations.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials.
• Conduct complex research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical staff reports.
• Establish and maintain a variety of filing, record-keeping, and tracking systems.
• Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing. Understand the scope of authority in making independent decisions.
• Review situations accurately and determine the appropriate course of action using judgment according to established policies and procedures, institutional goals, and project purpose.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Knowledge of financial aid terminology, FAFSA filing requirements, types of federal student loans, and loan rehabilitation.
• Knowledge of college access and educational advising issues for underrepresented populations in higher education (i.e., admissions, securing scholarships, major and course selection, and experience working with individuals to promote financial and economic literacy).
• Leadership ability and strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage details and organize large amounts of tracked data.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• A creative, highly productive, and flexible, self-starter with the ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Must be collaborative and an effective team member and team builder.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage details and follow through.
• Preferred - Ability to speak, read, and write in Spanish.

Mental Demands

• In agreement with the purpose and goals of Azusa Pacific University in providing a Christian-based higher education for its students.

Physical Demands

• Local and regional overnight travel.
• Occasional evening events and regularly scheduled Saturday activities.
• Hearing and speaking demands.
• Meetings may require walking and/or driving on and off campus.
• Requires keyboard.
• Intermittent sitting and standing.
• Extensive telephone usage.
• Ability to lift, pull, grasp, bend, and reach.
• Ability to lift up to 20 lbs.

Visual Demands

• Computer monitor and reading.

Environment

• Pleasant office, and comfortable temperatures.
• Multiple conversations and transactions occur simultaneously.

Technologies

• Good computer skills with Windows or Apple Operating systems and Microsoft products to complete tasks, including Word documents, MS Excel spreadsheets, etc.
• Proficient in Google Apps.

Compensation:

• Grade 17: $91,587 to $105,325 is the annual salary for this role and reflects what Azusa Pacific University reasonably expects to pay for this position. Actual compensation may vary based on the qualifications, experience, and internal equity. In addition to compensation, APU offers a competitive benefits package.

Azusa Pacific University is a Christ-centered, multicultural community that values and seeks faculty and staff who are committed to diversity, work effectively with diverse populations, and engage others in ways that honor our rich cultural mosaic and biblical foundation. Please click the links to learn more about 'what we believe', our 'mission statement', and our 'statement of faith'.

You can learn more about APU by watching the stories of faculty, staff, and alumni as they carry out our mission here: http://www.apu.edu/stories/

Azusa Pacific University will conduct a background check on all final candidates.

Review of applications will begin immediately, and the position will remain open until filled unless otherwise stated. Azusa Pacific University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.