TRIO Educational Opportunity Center Advisor

CHESS; Farmington (NM); On-site; USD 42,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

San Juan College seeks a TRIO EOC Advisor to deliver college access services and advisement for new and stop-out students aiming for 2- or 4-year colleges. The role covers San Juan County with some travel to service areas within the program region.

Advisors maintain an assigned caseload, support enrollment and financial aid steps, and contribute to grant reporting. The position is grant-funded, exempt, and regular, with duties that include outreach and workshop development.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field and 1–2 years’ relevant experience.
• Experience in admissions, financial aid, academic advising, or student support services preferred.
• Valid driver’s license issued by New Mexico.

Responsibilities

• Recruit program participants at schools and community centers.
• Document eligibility and maintain records per TRIO EOC requirements.
• Guide participants to complete a secondary diploma or its equivalent.
• Provide FAFSA assistance and financial aid guidance.
• Develop and present workshops on college readiness and financial literacy.

Skills

Advising

Interpersonal skills

Oral & written communication

Problem solving

Customer service

Caseload management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Tools

College databases

MS Office

Job description

Compensation:

$46,297

This position is funded through an annual grant and is subject to the continued receipt of grant funding. Employment beyond the current funding period is contingent upon the availability and renewal of grant funds.

CompensationType:

Exempt

Employment Type:

Regular

Grade:

E01

Position Summary

The position is primarily responsible for advisement and providing college access services for new and stop-out students seeking to attend any 2- or 4-year college/university. TRIO EOC Advisors will be serving potential students in San Juan County with occasional travel to service areas in the target program area. Maintains an assigned participant caseload and contributes to annual recruitment, service, and performance objectives as established by the EOC Director.

MAJOR DUTIES

• Organizes and implements recruitment and advising booths at local schools and community centers, to recruit program participants
• Documents participant eligibility and maintains supporting records in accordance with federal TRIO EOC requirements.
• Guide participants to complete a secondary diploma or its equivalent.
• Conducts regular participant follow-up to support completion of enrollment, financial aid, and educational planning steps.
• Enters accurate and timely participant services, contacts, eligibility documentation, and outcomes into the program database; protects confidential information.
• Provides FAFSA assistance, explains verification and financial aid requirements, and offers scholarship and financial literacy guidance.
• Develops and presents workshops on college readiness, career exploration, educational planning, and financial aid.
• Conducting initial client interviews.
• Assisting students in completing admissions and financial aid applications.
• Builds relationships with adult education programs, workforce agencies, schools, and community organizations; refers participants to appropriate campus and community resources.
• Supports the EOC Director in tracking program performance measures and preparing accurate annual grant reporting information.
• Attend outreach events and monthly staff meetings.
• Performs related duties.

KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED BY THE POSITION

• Knowledge of college policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of program policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of college admissions, scholarship, and financial aid policies and deadlines.
• Knowledge of grant requirements.
• Skill in the operation of computers and job related software programs.
• Skill in decision making and problem solving.
• Skill in interpersonal relations and in dealing with the public.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Skill in working effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
• Knowledge of the educational barriers faced by first-generation, low-income, adult, and returning students.
• Ability to manage participant caseloads, electronic records, workshops, and competing deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and develop effective community partnerships.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

The Educational Opportunity Center Director assigns work in terms of general instructions. The supervisor spot-checks completed work for compliance with procedures, accuracy, and the nature and propriety of the final results.

GUIDELINES

Guidelines include college policies and procedures, Education Department General Administrative Regulations, and grant requirements. These guidelines require judgment, selection, and interpretation in application.

COMPLEXITY/SCOPE OF WORK

• The work consists of varied advising duties. The unique needs of each student contribute to the complexity of the position.
• The purpose of this position is to provide advising services to participants and parents in the Educational Opportunity Center program. Success in this position contributes to student success.

CONTACTS

• Contacts are typically with co-workers, other college personnel, faculty, staff, students, high school teachers and administrators, and members of the general public.
• Contacts are typically to give or exchange information, to resolve problems, to provide services, or to motivate or influence persons.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/ WORK ENVIRONMENT

• The work is typically performed while sitting at a desk or table, intermittently sitting, standing or stooping. The employee occasionally lifts light objects.
• Work also takes place at off-campus schools, adult education centers, and community outreach sites; occasional travel within the designated service area is required.

SUPERVISORY AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY

None.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge and level of competency commonly associated with the completion of a baccalaureate degree in a course of study related to the occupational field.
• Sufficient experience to understand the basic principles relevant to the major duties of the position, usually associated with the completion of an apprenticeship/ internship or having had a similar position for one to two years.
• Experience in admissions, financial aid, academic advising, adult education, community outreach, or student support services is preferred.
• Possession of or ability to readily obtain a valid driver’s license issued by the State of New Mexico for the type of vehicle or equipment operated.

This position will remain open until filled with application review occurring on Monday, October 26, 2026,

EEO STATEMENT:

San Juan College is dedicated to providing equal employment and educational opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, genetic, veteran’s status, or on the basis of any other category protected under federal, state and local laws.