APU is seeking employees who desire to engage in our thriving culture by cultivating community through professional interactions, demonstrating a posture of lifelong learning, and modeling Christ-like character. Working together, employees at APU commit to establishing a university atmosphere that is pleasing to God and edifying to one another.

The TRIO McNair Student Support Specialist will coordinate with other offices in developing processes to support TRIO McNair Scholars Program participants and assist the Director in coordinating TRIO McNair Scholars Program Advisory Board meetings. The Student Support Specialist will assist the Director in building relationships with the following individuals/offices:

• Academic Success Center (ASC)
• Accessibility and Disability Resource (ADR) Center
• Career Services
• Registrar’s Office
• Student Center for Reconciliation and Diversity (SCRD)
• Student Financial Services (SFS)
• Undergraduate Enrollment Service Center (UESC)
• Other Offices and Advisory Board partners, as needed

The Student Support Specialist will identify ways to connect with other offices (e.g., attend monthly meetings, identify shared collaborative opportunities, receive updates from other offices, etc.) The Student Support Specialist will host one-on-one meetings with students to provide individualized support for McNair program participants, motivating them to draw on their strengths for the setting while refining and attaining personal, academic, financial, and career goals. The TRIO McNair Student Support Specialist will manage a designated caseload of students throughout the school year. This position holder will also conduct required workshops, assist with the Annual Performance Report, and assist with student event planning as required by the McNair program plan of operation. This position is a temporary part-time position and is contingent on available grant funding.

Required Education:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Master’s degree preferred in Education, Counseling, Student Affairs, Curriculum and Instruction, Psychology, Sociology, or a related field.
• Preferred: Specialized training in academic coaching/advising and postsecondary retention programming.

Required Experience:

• Three to five years working directly with students to promote academic success.
• Demonstrated commitment to supporting the academic needs of students facing barriers to educational success through academic coaching/advising, counseling, instruction, education advocacy.
• Demonstrated commitment and leadership ability to advance diversity and inclusion efforts.
• Preferred: Prior service with TRIO programs.
• Preferred: Life experience with similar barriers to those from underrepresented populations, including but not limited to being from a low-income family or having a disability.
• Preferred: Employee supervision and event planning experience.

Primary Duties/Essential Functions:

• Provide direct student support to an assigned caseload of students.
• Engage with students regularly to discuss goal setting to enhance time management, self-advocacy, academic success strategies, and study skills.
• Assist students with accessing available campus support resources.  
• Assist students with identifying specific milestones and research/scholarship timelines.
• Assist the Director in reviewing all Individualized Success Plans for all TRIO MNSP participants.
• Assist the Director in overseeing the work of graduate and undergraduate employees.
• Conduct workshops and other events and participate in assessment activities as needed.
• Maintain time and effort records, as required by Department of Education guidelines.
• Maintain electronic timekeeping as it applies to the scope of this position, and support maintenance of effort tracking for campus partner time commitments.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Secondary Duties/Functions

• • Maintain appropriate assessment and advising records for participants
  • Coordinate with other offices in developing processes to support participants and collect data from their involvement with partner offices. 

Skills:

• Knowledge of U.S. Department of Education TRIO programs or similar programs providing college access to individuals from populations with identified socioeconomic disadvantages.
• Knowledge of financial aid terminology, FAFSA filing requirements, types of federal student loans and loan rehabilitation.
• Ability to develop and maintain professional, collaborative, and service-oriented relationships within Azusa Pacific University.
• Leadership ability and strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage details and accurately track student participation in the program.
• Must be an effective and collaborative team member.
• Preferred: Knowledge of college access and educational advising issues such as securing scholarships, major and course selection, and graduate/professional school application and admission, and experience working with individuals to promote financial and economic literacy.

Mental Demands:

• This is in agreement with the purpose and goals of Azusa Pacific University, which is to provide a Christian-based higher education for its students.

Physical Demands:

• Requires keyboard and 10-key work.
• Intermittent sitting and standing.
• Extensive telephone usage.
• Ability to lift, pull, grasp, bend and reach.
• Ability to lift up to 20 lbs.
• Computer monitor and reading.

Visual Demands:

• Computer monitor and reading.

Environment:

• Pleasant office, comfortable temperatures.
• Multiple conversations and transactions occurring simultaneously.

Technologies:

• Good computer skills with Windows XP and Microsoft products to complete tasks, including Word documents, MS Outlook electronic mail, excel spread sheet, etc.
• Proficient in Google Apps.

Compensation:

• Grade 8: $21.44 to $24.66 is the hourly compensation for this role and reflects what Azusa Pacific University reasonably expects to pay for this position. Actual compensation may vary based on the qualifications, experience, and internal equity. In addition to compensation, APU offers a competitive benefits package. 

Azusa Pacific University is a Christ-centered, multicultural community that values and seeks faculty and staff who are committed to diversity, work effectively with diverse populations, and engage others in ways that honor our rich cultural mosaic and biblical foundation. Please click the links to learn more about 'what we believe', our 'mission statement', and our 'statement of faith'.

You can learn more about APU by watching the stories of faculty, staff, and alumni as they carry out our mission here: http://www.apu.edu/stories/

Azusa Pacific University will conduct a background check on all final candidates.

Review of applications will begin immediately, and the position will remain open until filled unless otherwise stated. Azusa Pacific University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.