To advance the college’s mission, vision, principles, values and strategic initiatives through continuous improvement decisions.

GENERAL JOB SUMMARY: 

We are hiring one Program Advisor.

Reporting to the Director of the TRIO Talent Search Program, the Program Advisor is responsible for assisting with the administration, implementation and continuation of the TRIO Talent Search program. The TRIO Talent Search program is dedicated to increase middle school and high school retention rates, increase high school graduation rates, improve financial and economic literacy and increase post-secondary enrollment and completion rates. TRIO Talent Search serves students who meet income-eligibility guidelines, are potential first-generation college students, and/or demonstrate a need for assistance in the college enrollment process.

The Program Advisor is an integral part of this program. This position will recruit and serve an assigned caseload of program participants in 6^th-12^th grade. This position will work primarily at their assigned middle and high school sites in Cedar Rapids, Anamosa and Wyoming, IA to provide advising and to facilitate workshops for program participants and their families. 

This position is grant-funded with current funding scheduled to end September 30, 2026. Continuation of this position beyond current funding period is dependent on the renewal of this grant.   

UNIVERSAL CORE COMPETENCIES: 

• Advocate for Continual Improvement- empowering each other to identify opportunities for excellence.
• Collaborate with Mutual Accountability- working together with a willingness to take ownership and account for our actions. 
• Champion Service- anticipating needs and create a welcoming, diverse, and inclusive environment. 
• Perseverance- commitment to excellence even in the face of adversity or delay in achieving success. 
• Lead- regardless of title, through positive influence. 

• Identify, recruit, and serve an assigned caseload of program participants in 6^th-12^th grade
• Provide academic advising, personal, college, career, financial literacy and financial aid information and workshops to program participants
• Build positive relationships with site principals, counselors, teachers, and families
• Plan and attend field trips and other program activities
• Assist high school students with college and financial aid applications
• Establish and maintain accurate and confidential program participant files with required documentation
• Document all contacts with program participants on Individual and/or Group Service Logs and program database
• Comply with grant and federal regulations
• Perform other related work duties as assigned

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS:

• Be able and willing to represent the College and TRIO Talent Search Program in the most positive manner with all students, clients, suppliers and the community we serve.
• Willingness to assume responsibility, deal effectively with problems, and exercise independent judgment when making decisions
• Demonstrate skill in interpersonal relations, communication and presentation skills
• Read, listen, understand, and express oneself clearly and effectively in oral and written form.
• Effectively model communication, organizational skills and social skills to program participants while maintaining a positive relationship with them
• Maintain accurate and detailed student records
• Regular attendance at work
• Maintain confidentiality
• Welcome, value, and nurture people of all backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, as well as support and promote an environment that accepts differences.  

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the essential job duties/responsibilities and performance expectations of the job, which should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned.

Position involves working in an office, secondary schools and on the go. Occasional (10-33%) standing, pushing, pulling and grasping. Frequent (34-66%) reaching and viewing a computer and other types of close visual work. Constant (67-100%) sitting, walking, repetitive motion, talking and hearing. 

• Bachelor’s degree required in the following fields: human services, education or other related fields. If not in those fields, a minimum of 1-year prior professional TRIO experience or other pre-collegiate programs
• Prior experience working with low-income and first generation students
• Knowledge of postsecondary education support services and financial aid

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS, LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, OR REGISTRATIONS:

• Advising experience preferred 
• Bilingual-English/Spanish skills preferred
• Personal experience in overcoming academic and economic obstacles to college graduation preferred