Director, TRIO Student Support Services

Montana Tech; Butte (MT); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Mandatory retirement plan with ERI

Partial tuition waiver

Wellness program

Job summary

Montana Tech is seeking a dynamic Director for the TRIO Student Support Services program to lead a grant-funded effort supporting 120 high-achieving STEM students. This full-time role drives retention, graduation, and student success through strategic administration and targeted academic support.

The position emphasizes compliance with federal requirements, supervision of staff, and collaboration with campus partners to deliver comprehensive services, counseling, and advising that advance

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a related field from an accredited college or university.
• Minimum of 2 years of staff supervision and budget management.
• Experience in program development, evaluation, reporting, and federal compliance.
• Ability to analyze data related to the academic needs of students.
• Experience with staff hiring, supervision, and evaluation.
• Excellent oral and written communication; knowledge of Montana college opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Assume leadership for the organization, administration, and supervision of the SSS program.
• Develop, execute, monitor, and evaluate SSS program objectives and federal compliance.
• Establish, monitor, and administer budget.
• Collect tracking data and write annual program reports.
• Maintain program participant files in federal compliance.
• Recruit, train, supervise, and evaluate SSS program staff.
• Assist in identifying and selecting student participants.
• Provide counseling and academic advising support to SSS students.
• Support college-wide activities related to admission, financial aid, advising, and orientation.
• Maintain communication between SSS and campus departments.

Skills

Staff supervision

Budget management

Data analysis

Program development

Communication skills

Grant compliance

Education

Master’s degree in a related field

Job description

Director, TRIO Student Support Services

Institute for Educational Opportunities

Full-Time

Academic Year-LOA

Are you an administrative leader passionate about educational equity and student success? Montana Tech is hiring a full-time Director for our TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) Program. Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, our mission is to provide academic development, assist with college requirements, and motivate students toward graduation.

In this role, you will lead a grant-funded program specifically supporting 120 high-achieving STEM students, directly impacting college retention and graduation rates.

Montana Technological University provides a comprehensive benefits package for all eligible positions that includes health, dental and vision insurance, mandatory retirement plan with employer contribution, partial tuition waiver, and a wellness program.

Applications received by 9/13/2026 will be guaranteed full review and consideration. Applications received after that date may be considered until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

DUTIES:

• Assume leadership for the organization, administration, and supervision of the SSS program.
• Develop, execute, monitor, and evaluate SSS program objectives and federal compliance.
• Establish, monitor, and administer budget.
• Collect tracking data and write annual program reports.
• Hold responsibility that all program participant files (both digital and hard copy) are in federal compliance.
• Recruit, select, train, supervise, and evaluate all SSS program staff.
• Assist in identifying, recruiting, and selecting student participants.
• Assist in assessing and prescribing a plan of program services for each participant.
• Provide counseling and academic advising support to SSS students to help them achieve their educational and personal goals.
• Provide professional support and assistance in college-wide activities related to student admission, financial aid, academic advising, registration, orientation and guidance to meet program participant's needs.
• Establish procedures to maintain the student and administrative record system.
• Provide professional support and assistance in college-wide activities related to student admission, financial aid, academic advising, registration, orientation and guidance to meet program participant's needs.
• Maintain and facilitate communication between SSS and campus departments.
• Arrange and direct weekly SSS program management meetings.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Hold a Master’s degree in science, engineering, business, math, education, public administration, social science, or a related field from an accredited college/university.
• Possess a minimum of 2 years of experience in staff supervision and budget management.
• Have experience in program development and evaluation, as well as reporting and compliance with federal regulations.
• Demonstrate experience in gathering and analyzing data related to the academic needs, interests, educational, and social background of students.
• Show direct experience with staff hiring, supervision, and evaluation.
• Utilize excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Maintain an understanding of Montana's college opportunities, admission requirements, application procedures, and financial aid resources.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience with federal TRIO programs, academic support programs, or similar programs serving students traditionally underrepresented in higher education.
• Minimum of 1-3 years of experience advising/counseling/coaching in academic planning, career planning, and student access/success.
• Formal training/work experience in fields related to improving persistence rates for first-generation and low-income participants in STEM; developing STEM programs to help students maintain good academic standing.
• Experience working with disadvantaged students in an academic setting
• Experience in overcoming barriers similar to SSS-STEM participants

Physical Demands:

• Ability to chaperone student trips.
• Willingness to work extended hours during peak event times.
• Handling high-volume desk work during annual performance reporting.

Application Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon a satisfactory criminal background check.

Montana Tech is committed to providing a working and learning environment free from discrimination. As such, the University does not discriminate in the admission, access to or conduct of its educational programs and activities nor in its employment policies and practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, creed, service in the uniformed services (as defined in state and federal law), veteran status, gender, age, political beliefs, marital or family status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation or preference. In support of the University's mission to be inclusive and diverse, applications from qualified minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities are highly encouraged. Montana Tech makes accommodation for any known disability that may interfere with an applicant's ability to compete in the hiring process or an employee's ability to perform the duties of the job. In compliance with the Montana Veteran's Employment Preference Act, Montana Tech provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans.

Employment Eligibility: All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at Montana Tech as legally required (e.g., Form I-9). Montana Tech will require proof of authorization to work in the United States before final hiring.

• Further, based on the September 19, 2025, Presidential Proclamation and accompanying guidance from the USCIS and Dept. of State, the University may not be able to offer H-1B sponsorship. Particularly the University is not able to pay the $100,000 payment accompanying new H-1B visa petitions.

Veterans Employment Preference

To claim veteran's preference please complete the employment (veteran's) preference form located on the employment page and email to [e-mail]. You must include the job title of the position in which you are applying.

Download Employment (Veteran's) Preference Form (PDF)

Request an Accommodation

To request an accommodation for the application or interview, please contact Cathy Isakson at 406-496-4380 or email [e-mail]

Why Work at Tech?

Help meet the changing needs of society by providing a transformative student experience by helping develop leaders for tomorrow by advancing science, engineering and technology.

Benefits Package

In addition, Montana Tech offers an attractive benefits package* which includes:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance with low deductibles and comprehensive coverage.
• Generous employer contribution toward monthly health care benefits worth $6.08 per hour.
• 5.9% retirement employer contribution for eligible employees
• 11 Holidays per year
• 3 weeks of Annual Leave to start
• Generous sick leave policy that can be used for sick children, doctor and dentist appointments as well as bereavement.
• 6 credits of coursework free per year (fees not included)
• Life and Disability Insurance
• Reduced tuition for dependents after 4 months of employment for eligible employees
• Employee Assistance and a Wellness Program
• Optional Retirement Plan for eligible employees
• Possible remote work days with supervisor approval and eligible positions.

*Benefits are dependent on position type and terms and conditions of eligibility.

About Montana Tech

Montana Technological University, Butte Montana, is nestled in the Heart of the Rocky Mountains along the Continental Divide, where I-15 and I-90 intersect. We are home to the largest National Historic District in the country. Montana Tech is a special focus institution with a reputation for excellence and value. Montana Tech is ranked #1 in the nation by CollegeNET.