Specialist, Education & Career

Eastern Kentucky University; Richmond; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Eastern Kentucky University is seeking an Education & Career Specialist to provide academic, career, and financial guidance for first-generation and income-eligible students within the Appalachian Heartlands Talent Search program. The role focuses on delivering direct advising, coordinating workshops, campus visits, and outreach while maintaining compliant records and data in the program's tracking system.

Strong communication and organizational skills are essential, as is experience with

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in education, counseling, social work, or related field.
• At least 1 year of experience.
• Experience with underrepresented, first-generation, or low-income youth (rural districts preferred).
• Proficiency in MS Office and database management.
• Strong communication, public speaking, and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide academic and career advising; plan workshops on graduation requirements, admissions, FAFSA, and financial literacy.
• Coordinate and chaperone campus visits, career fairs, and enrichment activities.
• Maintain accurate, confidential student files; ensure FERPA compliance and data entry into the program database (Blumen, TDS).
• Recruit eligible middle and high school students; build relationships with school counselors, teachers, administrators, and parents; deliver promotional presentations.

Skills

Communication

Public speaking

Organizational skills

MS Office

Database management

Education

Bachelor's degree in education, counseling, social work, or related field

Tools

Blumen database

TDS database

Job description

Title: Specialist, Education & Career

Position Type: Fulltime Staff

Search Type: External - minimum 7 days

Department: 77G010 - Student Affairs-Restricted Funds

Division: 5G0000 - Student Success, Engage & Opp-Restr

Position Location: Richmond Campus

Driver Classification: University Driver

FLSA: Exempt

Schedule Type: Full Time (37.5 hrs per week or more)

Additional Schedule Details: May require overnight and weekend duties.

Posted Salary Grade: Exempt - G19

Retirement: KTRS

Contact Person: Andrea Brin

Job Summary/Basic Functions

The Education and Career Specialist for the Appalachian Heartlands Talent Search program at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) provides academic, career, and financial guidance to help potential first-generation and income-eligible students successfully enter and complete postsecondary education.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in education, counseling, social work, or a related field required.

Experience: One year of experience is required.

Experience working with underrepresented, first-generation, or low-income youth (experience in rural school districts preferred).

Experience with data entry systems and maintaining detailed compliance records.

Excellent communication, public speaking, and organizational skills. Proficiency in MS Office and database management.

Individuals who have succeeded in overcoming barriers similar to those confronting the target population (e.g., first-generation college graduates) are strongly encouraged to apply.

Job Duties

• 60% - Program Service Delivery Academic & Career Advising: Provide individual and group advising on high school graduation requirements, college admissions, career exploration, and financial literacy. Workshops & Events: Plan and facilitate workshops on ACT/SAT preparation, scholarship searches, and completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Campus, Career & Experiential Visits: Coordinate and chaperone college campus visits, career fairs, and enrichment activities. - (Essential)
• 20% - Administrative Duties & Data Entry Meticulous Record-Keeping: Maintain accurate, highly organized, and confidential student files in compliance with federal regulations and FERPA. Data Entry: Promptly and accurately enter participant demographics, eligibility documentation, and services provided into the program's student tracking database (e.g., Blumen, TDS, or similar database). - (Essential)
• 15% - Recruitment & Outreach Identify and Recruit: Actively recruit eligible middle and high school students to meet annual program enrollment goals set by the U.S. Department of Education. School & Community Relations: Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with school counselors, teachers, administrators, and parents in the target area. Promotional Presentations: Design and deliver engaging presentations to students, families, and community stakeholders about the benefits of the TRIO Talent Search program. - (Essential)
• 5% - Other Duties Professional Development: Attend regional/national TRIO conferences, training sessions, and institutional meetings to stay current on federal regulations and college access best practices. Program Collaboration: Assist with other TRIO-related activities, target area and campus-wide initiatives, and community events as needed to promote student success and the TRIO Talent Search Program. Adaptable Support: Perform other program-related duties as assigned by the Program Director/Associate Director to support the overall goals and objectives of the grant. - (Essential)

Sponsorship: This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Funding Source: Grant

Open Until Filled: Yes

EEO Statement

Eastern Kentucky University is an Equal Opportunity employer and educational institution and does not discriminate on the basis of age (40 and over), race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, ethnicity, disability, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information in the admission to, or participation in, any educational program or activity (e.g., athletics, academics and housing) which it conducts or any employment policy or practice.

Background Check Statement

Offers of employment are contingent upon a satisfactory background check.

Advertised: 01 Sep 2026 Eastern Daylight Time

Applications close: