"Director of TRIO Student Support Services"

General Statement of Duties

The TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) Director is a full-time, federally funded grant administrative position. This position is currently funded through August 31, 2030, with the full intention of re-writing for the TRIO SSS grant for 2030-2035. This position is responsible for the overall planning, development, implementation, management and evaluation of the TRIO SSS grant. Additionally, the director ensures program compliance with all regulations and requirements of the federal grant agency with a primary focus on increasing the retention and graduation rates of income eligible, first-generation college students or students with disabilities. The interim program director should be an advocate and champion for the student population that the program serves.

Supervision Exercised

Supervise Professional Tutors, Academic Coaches/Advisors, Staff Support Program Assistant, contractors, and student staff.

Duties & Responsibilities

1. Oversee the implementation of the grant project; administer the budget and requisite fiscal records.
2. Submit timely reports and respond to the U.S. Department of Education (US ED. Dept.) program officer requests. (Including but not limited to: budget requests, APRs, audits, etc.)
3. Serve as the university contact with the US ED. Dept. and attend Director’s meetings, seminars and conferences as required by the US ED. Dept. and Fitchburg State (FSU).
4. Supervise the selection/ eligibility of participants according to grant guidelines, collect and maintain program data and prepare reports as required by the US ED Dept. and FSU.
5. Attend regular Directors meetings with the Executive Director of Grant-funded Success Programs, meet individually for one on one supervision meetings, and meet the timelines and requirements and process for university budget preparation and expenditure, attendance recording for the area, staff/student position requests, etc.
6. Hire, train, supervise and evaluate staff.
7. Allocate appropriate case load assignments and administer protocol for intake and follow up with students.
8. Maintain a student case load to provide advising to individuals and/or groups of program students.
9. Work collaboratively with other offices, services and educational components of FSU in implementing the program activities, services and events.
10. Participate in university initiatives in which Enrollment Management and Student Success contributes to: First Year Experience, Admissions open houses, President’s reception for accepted students, etc.
11. Coordinate public relations initiatives for the program and foster an institutional climate to support the program goals.
12. Other duties and tasks as required by the grant specifications.
13. Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

1. Master’s degree required. Educational background preferred in Counseling, Education, Educational Administration, Psychology, Educational Psychology, or related.
2. At least three years of counselor, administrative or supervisory experience at the Postsecondary level with TRIO or other programs working with under prepared, low-income students and/or students with disabilities or students otherwise disadvantaged.
3. Knowledge of advising, counseling techniques, financial aid policies, and disabilities.
4. Demonstrated expertise in all aspects of program administration, personnel supervision, developing and monitoring budgets, writing program reports and conducting program evaluation required.
5. Demonstrated ability to develop effective working relationships with university faculty, staff, and administrators.
6. Experience with grant management, grant writing and preparing budgets preferred.
7. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
8. Preference will be given to individuals who have overcome educational barriers similar to program participants.
9. Ability to perform above duties with or without reasonable accommodation.
10. Must be able to satisfactorily pass a check conducted by the Criminal History Systems Board (CORI check); a background check satisfactory to the university.
11. Appointment subject to both grant renewal and satisfactory approval by USDOE.

Posted: 27-Feb-26

Location: Fitchburg, Massachusetts

Type: Full-time

Categories: Staff/Administrative, Student Affairs/Services

Employment Type: Full-time

Organization Type: Higher Education Institution

Grant currently funded September 1, 2025 through August 31, 2030

This position qualifies as a Campus Security Authority (CSA) and is designated as such, effective September 2024. A CSA is a person designated to report crimes that occur on campus to the University Police Department. CSAs are designated under the Clery Act and must complete annual training on reporting crimes, victim relations and support, and related University policies.