Director of TRIO Student Support Services

The University of West Alabama; Livingston (AL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of West Alabama seeks a Director of TRIO Student Support Services (grant funded) to provide leadership, policy development, and day-to-day management of the program. This role oversees staff hiring, training, evaluation, supervision, budgeting, and compliance with TRIO/DOE requirements while collaborating with faculty and university administrators.

The director will monitor outcomes, prepare reports, and pursue grant renewals to sustain services for first‑generation,

Qualifications

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution in education, guidance and counseling, or a related field.
• Three to five years of experience administering postsecondary programs, including experience with budget management and program assessment.

Responsibilities

• Oversee grant guidelines and reporting for TRIO/DOE funded programs.
• Lead staff hiring, training, evaluation, and supervision.
• Develop and implement program policies, procedures, and activities to meet grant objectives.
• Manage budgeting and fiscal reporting for the program.
• Collaborate with faculty, staff, and university administrators to support student success.

Skills

Staff supervision

Budget management

Grant reporting

Program evaluation

Communication

Education

Master’s degree in education or related field

Job description

Director of TRIO Student Support Services (Grant Funded)

Location

University of West Alabama

Open Date

Aug 31, 2026

Description

The Director of TRIO Student Support Services provides overall leadership and management of the program; the development, implementation, and evaluation of policies, procedures, and all program activities; staff hiring, training, evaluation, and supervision; and the maintenance of collaborative relationships with the faculty, staff, and University administrators. Overseeing all budget operations and fiscal reports; assuring that all milestones are completed and all objectives are met, that planning and evaluation reports are completed, and that new grants are written. The director will oversee the grant to ensure compliance and exemplary service delivery.

Responsibilities

• Knowledge of grant guidelines and regulations; ability to interpret and explain regulations, policies, procedures, guidelines, and reporting requirements particular to TRIO/D.O.E. funded programs.
• Strong positive interpersonal skills; able to work collaboratively, build effective working relationships, be a team-oriented leader, and problem solver.
• Sensitivity and understanding of diverse populations relevant to educational, socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds.
• Knowledge and understanding of challenges that psycho/socio behaviors face by 1st generation, income-eligible, and/or disabled students in pursuit of higher education.
• Effective coaching, managing, mentoring, and motivating skills that support the grant, accomplish the college mission, and support staff with individual professional goals.
• Plan, implement, coordinate, and evaluate program services and activities to ensure grant objectives are continually being met.
• Manage the identification, selection, assessment, and notification process for student participants.
• Plan and coordinate promotion of the program to campus audiences.
• Plan and conduct retention-directed activities and events.
• Develop, implement, evaluate, and resource specialized curricula promoting student academic success with formative and summative assessments.
• Coordinate and oversee documentation services, program compliance, performance, research, and data collection of student outcomes related to grant objectives.
• Establish working relationships with college departments, divisions, and administration.
• Program liaison to TRIO conferences, trainings, Department of Education Program Officer, campus committees, and meetings.
• Perform any other duties as required in fulfillment of the grant requirements.

This is a grant-funded position. No guarantee or commitment is made regarding future or continued employment beyond the grant award or the terms of the contract.

Qualifications

Required

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution in education, guidance and counseling, or a related field.
• Three to five years of experience administering postsecondary programs, including experience with budget management and program assessment.

Preferred

• Experience working with TRIO/SSS-eligible students.
• Demonstrated professional achievement or recognition for outstanding accomplishments.
• Experience providing counseling, academic coaching, advising, or related student support services.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated academic achievement.
• Familiarity with the University of West Alabama and its service area.
• Knowledge of college core curriculum, student retention theories, and research-based practices that support student success.
• Understanding of or personal experience with challenges similar to those faced by TRIO participants.
• Experience with grant writing and proposal development.
• Experience with educational research, assessment, program evaluation, or data analysis.
• Demonstrated organizational and leadership skills.
• Experience developing and delivering presentations, workshops, or training.

Before hiring, the final candidate(s) must successfully pass a pre-employment background investigation, including information obtained from social media and other internet sources.