Director of TRIO Programs

Provides oversight for all funds, functions, and activities of TRIO grant programs. The Director has full authority to ensure program objectives are met within compliance of federal legislation, regulation, and guidelines. The Director is listed as institutional TRIO grant official and will serve as primary liaison to the US Department of Education for TRIO grants, submitting all program progress reporting. The Director will utilize programmatic data to develop an overarching strategic vision and plan for TRIO programs to meet all grant obligations and ensure quality services to participants.

1. Select, train, motivate, and direct TRIO staff: evaluate and review work for acceptability and conformance with department standards, including program and project priorities; work on performance concerns.

2. Develop and establish an overarching strategic vision and plan for TRIO programs at Lake Land College including program-specific project goals and assist the staff in understanding and achieving goals.
Propose, develop, implement and maintain:
a.) Bridge programming for TRIO participants as they transition from TRIO Destination College, funded by TRIO Talent Search grant, in high school to TRIO SSS and postsecondary education.
b.) An annual program evaluation plan with the collaboration of the College's Institutional Research team and other key stakeholders on campus.
c.) Programmatic data to be used in strategic planning, marketing, implementation, reporting, and shared with internal and external interested entities.
d.) Standardized procedures and methods to continuously improve and monitor the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods, workloads, administrative support systems, and overall achievement of grant objectives.

3. Develops, administers and oversees the TRIO grant budgets of over $600,000 annually; monitors program expenditures to ensure compliance with established laws and regulations, as well as funding agency requirements.

4. Manage the coordination, marketing, and implementation of TRIO grant programming, through the formation of partnerships with key stakeholders including, but not limited to, secondary school administrators, academic and student services of Lake Land College, local social service providers, Illinois university admissions, and employers in order to acquire additional funding opportunities for programming.

5. Act as the direct liaison between Lake Land College TRIO programs and US DOE to ensure accurate grant reporting, and to aid in securing future funding, meeting with TRIO US DOE program officers regularly, as needed.

6. Attend and participate in professional group meetings to monitor changes in laws, regulation, and technology and innovative practices that my affect grant operations; implements policy and procedure changes as needed.

7. Serve as Lake Land College TRIO representative in TRIO affiliated groups, committees or coalitions as time allows. (Educational Opportunity Association, Council on Opportunity in Education, Illinois TRIO, TRIO Directors, etc.)

8. Direct and advise all program staff regarding the purchase, distribution of, and accounting for all TRIO equipment purchases and use.

9. Create and update curriculum and programming, as needed to meet TRIO grant and federal regulations.

10. Review and consistently assess the grant proposals, goals, and objectives to ensure a timely and effective implementation and service to participants.

11. Collaborate with Academic Departments, Student Services Departments, district secondary schools, and external community organizations in the development and implementation of short and long-term objectives outlined in the Student Support Services and Talent Search grant proposals.

12. Develop and implement annual TRIO program recruitment and publicity plan, including printed and digital program publicity materials, news releases, and presentations.

13. Collaborate with the College's grant writer to develop grant proposal that meet funding agency requirements and priorities, including writing the grant narrative and all required forms and documents; establish and maintain contacts with funding agency personnel and potential grant partners.

14. Select and assess participants identified to enroll in TRIO programs per the eligibility requirements of program proposals, while monitoring the numbers of participants against program goals and objectives.

15. Participate in college committees and task forces related to college retention, onboarding process, and other topics related to the goals and objectives of TRIO programs.

16. Implement the Trio Stem grant.

17. Other duties as assigned.

Education Requirements:
Master's Degree in Education, College Student Affairs, School Counseling, Human Services, or other related field required.

Experience Requirements:
At least three years of experience designing, managing and/or implementing programs for disadvantaged populations, including teaching or counseling. At least five years of supervisory work in education, counseling, and/or career and transfer services, preferably in a community college setting. Direct management experience in regards to personnel issues, budget management, federal/state grant management, and grant writing experience is required.

Knowledge:
Ability to create, design, plan and implement programming. Understanding of internal dynamics and operations of postsecondary and secondary schools. Understanding of federal grant policies and procedures as they apply to post-secondary educational institutions. Working comprehension of accounting and budgeting procedures.

Skills:
Excellent oral and written communication skills. Computer/keyboarding skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and other office programs. Strong supervisory, budget management and program planning skills.

Personal Requirements:
Highly organized and attentive to details; ability to communicate well with people from diverse backgrounds; ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and to work well under pressure. Individual with background similar to the target population and experience working in a TRIO Program preferred.

Physical:
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment. Mobility to travel within the Lake Land College district and nationally as job requires.