TRIO, Talent Search Student Success Advisor-Thomasville

Description: The Student Success Advisor provides academic, personal, financial, and career counseling to low-income, first generation and/or academically disadvantaged middle and high school students that supports completion of a secondary school diploma, as well as enrolling and completing a postsecondary credential.  This is a full-time, 12-month position funded by a five-year U.S. Department of Education grant. The majority of the time will be spent working independently on-site at Thomasville middle school and high school. The position reports to the Project Director, Talent Search, and has the following responsibilities:

Essential Job Functions:

• Collaborate with TRIO Highschool Partnerships Director, Lead TRIO Advisor, Thomasville School administrators, teachers, and counselors to identify program participants and execute a comprehensive program to improve high school persistence, graduation, and postsecondary enrollment to completion 
• Coordinates and conducts recruitment strategies, accepts referrals, and helps select Talent Search participants
• Make presentations to school personnel, students, and parents outlining program benefits
• Utilizes a student-centered approach and advises participants for academic success, grade promotion, and college readiness
• Manages a caseload of 250+ students and completes individual needs assessments to develop customized, individual College, Career, and Academic Plans (CCAPs); reviews and interprets report cards, transcripts, test scores, college entrance exams, etc.
• Meets one-on-one with students and families to discuss academic and non-academic obstacles, as they relate to student progress, involvement, and program satisfaction
• Coordinates and makes referrals to tutorial services and develops study skills workshops with input from teachers and other school staff
• Monitors attendance and disciplinary records for continued program eligibility and resource intervention
• Advise, promotes, and mentors’ participants; assists with development of positive self-concept and helps students envision a future beyond high school
• Develop student assessments and completes program evaluations
• Partners with college departments and community constituents for effective program delivery, workshops, etc.
• Coordinates and leads student-centered college and university exploratory field trips, enrichment activities, and cultural events
• Assists students and families complete all necessary steps for college readiness and enrollment (e.g. ACT/SAT, financial aid, RDS, college application, etc.)
• Participate in middle and high school staff and team meetings to review timelines, discuss objectives, refine implementation plans, and problem-solve
• Receives confidential application materials and maintains participant files, tracks services, and submits weekly contact forms and other reports as required by the grant
• Participates in professional development activities appropriate to the functions of the position, including state TRIO Talent Search meetings/conferences, Department of Education sponsored training, and school district trainings.
• Supports the mission, vision, and values of the College, City Schools, and the TRIO Talent Search program
• Perform other duties assigned which support the purpose and initiatives of the Program and College

Narrative

ADA requirements for this position include critical thinking skills with the ability to process information and exercise good judgment; ease of mobility within the work environment and other areas of campus and College locations; travel between campus locations may be required; and effective use of all forms of communication including use of computers. This position requires occasional evening and weekend work, including Saturdays, as well as overnight travel for professional development, training, and student activities.

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Master’s degree or higher from an accredited institution in education, administration, counseling or a related field
• 2-3 years of experience counseling/advising youth
• Experience working with individuals who are low-income and/or first-generation

Preferred Qualifications 

• Experience working with federal Department of Education programs or TRIO Programs
• Work experience with North Carolina’s public schools and community organizations
• Fluency in Spanish
• Work experience in a school and/or college setting
• Experience with Blumen and/or Infinite Campus database systems