Part-time TRiO Talent Search Academic Advisor

Mineral Area College; Leadington (MO); On-site; USD 18,000 - 24,000; Part time

Job summary

Mineral Area College is seeking a part-time TRIO advisor to provide academic, career and financial counseling to students, with ~19 hours per week serving St. Francois and Madison counties through May.

The role involves travel to target schools for recruitment and ongoing advising, maintaining student records, and collaborating with parents, teachers, and counselors to support post-secondary enrollment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree in education, social work, or related area from an accredited institution.
• Ability to communicate understanding of common obstacles students face in college and the resources needed to be successful.
• Experience working with disadvantaged students.

Responsibilities

• Travel regularly to target schools for recruitment and advising.
• Provide academic advising and post-secondary information.
• Review grades and monitor progress toward enrollment.
• Coordinate tutoring and plan college visits and events.
• Maintain student and program data and reports.
• Communicate with parents, mentors, teachers, and counselors.
• Support program evaluation and follow-up activities.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Data management

Computer systems

Education

Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree

Education/Social work background

Tools

Communication tools

Job description

Position Summary

Working for a federally funded TRIO program providing academic, career and financial counseling to students encouraging participants to graduate from high school and pursue post-secondary education. Seeking a part-time advisor working about 19 hours per week serving St Francois and Madison county schools through May.

Key Performance Indicators

1. Provide quality academic advising to students
2. Program recruiting
3. Program retention
4. High program awareness in the community

Essential Functions

1. Maintain a regular schedule of travel to target schools during the academic year for these purposes:
   • participant recruitment, school orientations and events and student meetings
   • academic advising, post-secondary information, and career interest services
   • review grades and monitor academic progress towards post-secondary enrollment
   • build a feeling of unity within the groups for which they are responsible.
2. Work directly with parents/mentors, teachers, high school guidance counselors, and tutors and assist participants with their academic needs.
3. Plan and supervise activities including college visits, educational events, and field trips.
4. Work with staff members in developing, maintaining, and monitoring student progress towards enrolling in post-secondary education.
5. Maintain database information regarding services provided to students, ensure back‑up information is available for their files, prepare reports as needed and perform file reviews to ensure necessary information is in the student files.
6. Maintain communication with students, parents, and schools about program events and goals.
7. Arrange tutoring for Talent Search students.
8. Plan academic services in collaboration with target schools and the project director.
9. Motivate participants to complete high school and enroll in post‑secondary education.
10. Participate in program evaluation through follow‑up surveys and participant tracking.
11. Additional program responsibilities as assigned by the director.
12. Serve on campus committee.

Required Behaviors, Competencies, and Skills

Maintain accurate knowledge of programs and resources

Maintain accurate knowledge in relevant academic and non‑academic areas to provide information to students to assist them in academic success

Interpersonal skills:

• Be available and respond timely to student needs
• Maintain professionalism and a positive attitude in communications with students, parents, school personal, community partners, and staff
• Be proactive in reaching out to school personal, parents, students, and other partners to offer resources for student and program success
• Polished verbal and written presentation skills to provide education information in small and large groups

Technical skills:

• Maintain up to date knowledge of communication tools and effectively use those tools
• Maintain up to date knowledge to effectively track and report on program data
• Experience with data management and computer systems

Experience

Education:

• Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree in education, social work, or related area from an accredited institution
• Must be able to communicate understanding of common obstacles students face in college and the resources needed to be successful.

Work Experience:

• Experience working with disadvantaged students

Industry Knowledge:

• Skills in assisting students to complete basic academic studies.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

Working in a professional office environment this position requires sitting, standing, stooping, kneeling, reaching, walking, pushing, pulling, light lifting, grasping, talking, seeing, hearing and repetitive motion.

Ability to serve students during some evening and weekend events.