The Opportunity: This position is responsible for day-to-day TRiO program operations, leadership, and administration, serving as a liaison between the program and internal/external college partners. The TRiO Student Support Services (SSS) program is a federal grant program whose purpose is to increase the retention, graduation, and transfer rates of low-income, first-generation college students and students with disabilities.

The program serves approximately 300 students each year. Services include: instruction in college success skills, one-on-one tutoring, academic and transfer advising, financial aid advising, and assistance with transfer admissions and financial aid for enrollment in four-year institutions and Bachelor’s programs.

The Director supervises full-time and part-time staff and oversees program deliverables to ensure goals are being achieved. The Director is also responsible for federal grant oversight, federal guidelines compliance, student support services, budget management, and program development through evaluation of program data and metrics.

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position working 40 hours per week, 12 months a year.

This position is exempt and grant-funded position reporting to the Dean of Student Success and located in the Student Success division of Skagit Valley College. This position is dependent upon continued grant funding. Grant has received funding through 2030.

About SVC: Established in 1926, Skagit Valley College is a comprehensive community college within the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) providing associates and bachelor’s degrees, as well as certificates, in high-quality academic transfer pathways, workforce training, basic education for adults, and lifelong learning opportunities. Our equity goals align with SBCTC’s Vision statement; “Leading with racial equity, our colleges maximize student potential and transform lives within a culture of belonging that advances racial, social, and economic justice in service to our diverse communities.”

SVC's commitment to equity and social justice drives our collective work to increase access to higher education, inspire student learning and achievement, and strengthen our diverse community. We embrace equity through our core themes of access, achievement, and community by pursuing the continuous examination and revision of norms, policies, and practices to foster the success of all.

SVC aspires to reflect the diverse racial, ethnic, and linguistic demographics in the district, particularly a growing Latinx population. As an emerging Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) SVC seeks equity minded leadership, faculty, and staff that are committed to inclusive practices and to diverse environments where students from all backgrounds can thrive via multidisciplinary collaboration and the implementation of an array of services. Candidates representing all aspects of diversity are encouraged to apply.

Mission: Skagit Valley College cultivates student learning and achievement; contributes to the educational, personal, and economic success of students; and promotes equitable and thriving communities.

Vision: The primary focus of Skagit Valley College is student-centered teaching and learning. We are committed to:

• Equitable student outcomes in access, achievement, and community;
• Our Guiding Principles;
• Decisions based on strategy and evidence;
• The development of our employees;
• A diverse and inclusive college community where everyone belongs.

• An unrelenting focus on our mission to improve the lives of our students and to strengthen our diverse community.
• Support for innovative teaching, learning, and scholarship.
• Exciting opportunities for personal and career growth.
• Diverse cultural and environmental benefits of rural, suburban and urban lifestyles.
• Friendly, supportive, and diverse work environments.
• Excellent benefits including competitive leave packages and an array of health, dental, vision, and retirement plans to meet your current and future needs.

Program Operations Leadership and Administration

• Direct and administer the overall operations of the TRiO SSS program;
• Develop program policies and procedures promoting the retention and graduation of participating students;
• Provide leadership, guidance, and consultation for modeling best practices in student wrap-around support services at SVC;
• Implement procedures to recruit, assess, and select students into the program;
• Hire, train, supervise, and evaluate personnel for the program;
• Recruit, develop, and evaluate peer mentors;
• Serve as a collaborative liaison between TRiO SSS and the administration and faculty.

Grant Oversight, Compliance, and Evaluation

• Facilitate the development and implementation of all aspects of the grant;
• Assure the program operates in compliance with the terms and conditions of the grant and federal regulations;
• Oversee the preparation and monitoring of the required annual performance report, as well as other reports needed by the College or Department of Education.

Project Coordination and Student Support Services

• Develop and coordinate a plan for monitoring and evaluating project goals and objectives, as well as student performance;
• Oversee the implementation of a student database for reporting and participant tracking;
• Communicate project goals and objectives to the College community, campus administrators, faculty, and students;
• Provide personal, career, financial and academic advising and counseling to program students.
• Collaborate with Tutoring and academic support to administer individual services to TRiO eligible students.
• Provide collaborative leadership and program participation in New Student Registration events and orientation activities.
• Develop ongoing collaborations with Equity Programs and other SVC cohort models (such as advising HUBs).

Budget and Program Development

• Plan and administer the TRiO SSS budget, in accordance with College policies and in compliance with grant requirements and authorize all expenditures;
• Drive the budgeting process, hold responsibility for maintaining budget records and analysis of data to maintain a balanced budget;
• Gather and analyze data for evaluation and improvement of the program.

Other Duties

• Serve on campus and college-wide committees;
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge or understanding of:

• Data gathering and analysis for evaluation and continued improvement of the program;
• Pedagogy and teaching, and learning strategies;
• Hiring, training, supervising, and evaluating personnel;
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations;
• Mathematical calculations;
• Methods and techniques of report preparation;
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Skills and abilities:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Experience with program and budget management;
• Experience implementing disability support services programs and case management;
• Experience overseeing federally-funded education programs and grant management;
• Experience with staff development and supervision of employees;
• Familiarity with issues affecting disabled, low-income, and first-generation college students;
• Understanding of, and commitment to the College's policies, procedures, goals, and mission;
• Leadership and planning ability with strong organizational skills;
• Ability to develop relevant and realistic plans, programs, and goals;
• Ability to form strong coalitions with internal and external constituencies;
• Ability to recognize college-wide priorities and work cooperatively and collaboratively to accomplish priorities;
• Ability to interpret and apply College and assigned division goals, objectives, policies, procedures, rules, and regulations;
• Communicate project goals and objectives to the College community, campus administrators, faculty, and students;
• Experience in working with students, staff, and/or faculty of diverse socioeconomic, cultural, racial, and ethnic backgrounds, including those with different levels of academic preparation and varying physical and learning abilities.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Student Personnel Administration, Student Development, or related field;
• Two (2) years supervising or directing departments, programs, initiatives, or trainings;
• Two (2) years of experience advising or counseling students;
• Three (3) years of experience working with people from diverse backgrounds, including low-income, first-generation college students and students with disabilities.

OR

• Master's degree in Student Personnel Administration, Student Development, or related field;
• Three (3) years of experience in higher education administration, including grant management, budgeting, staff supervision, and program development and evaluation;
• Bilingual in Spanish and English strongly preferred;
• Strong program evaluation skills;
• Strong leadership skills;
• Working knowledge of student development theory, implementation, and practice;
• Demonstrated experience fostering and maintaining positive and collaborative working relationships with campus units, including student services offices, instructional departments, Office of Institutional Effectiveness, as well as other departments and members of the campus community.

Salary and Benefits:

• Annual salary rate for this twelve-month, 100% of full-time position is $82,400;
• Contracts are written annually for the period of July 1 to June 30. This position will be filled as soon practical after a candidate is identified and the salary will be pro-rated for the remaining contract period.
• This position is exempt from civil service. This position is eligible for overtime.
• Salary, retirement, medical and insurance benefits are provided in accordance with state regulations and may be subject to change in accordance with legislative mandates. Additional information on benefits can be found at https://fortress.wa.gov/hca/pebbhealthplan/compare.aspx.

1. Meet the minimum qualifications and;
2. Submit a complete application to the online recruitment system at www.skagit.eduthat includes the following:
   • The online application, which includes answers to all supplemental questions and contact information for at least three (3) professional references;
   • A current resume; (Attachment: Resume);
   • A letter of interest addressing the minimum, desired qualifications, and your education and experience as it supports the responsibilities of this position; (Attachment: Cover Letter).

• Prior to employment, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.
  
  Additionally, pursuant to RCW 28B.112.080, applicants must declare whether they are the subject of any substantiated findings of sexual misconduct in any current or former employment or are currently being investigated for, or have left a position during an investigation into, a violation of any sexual misconduct policy at the applicant’s current or past employer. By law, post-secondary education institutions cannot hire an applicant who refuses to declare the existence or non-existence of an investigation or findings subject to this statute.

• In the interest of providing a healthy, safe and secure educational and work environment, and in order to meet the requirements of federal legislation, it is the policy of Skagit Valley College to maintain an alcohol and drug-free workplace for our employees and students.
• If hired you will be required to provide proof of identity and documentation of U.S. Citizenship or appropriate authorization to work in this position as required by the Immigration Reform Control Act of 1986.
• Completion of academic degree(s) will be verified through receipt of official transcripts at the time of hire.