Trio Student Support Specialist

Salary : $57,698.00 Annually
Location : Aberdeen, WA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 00678
Department: TRIO
Opening Date: 12/13/2023
Closing Date: 1/2/2024 8:59 AM Pacific
Description
Grays Harbor College invites applications for the position of Student Support Specialist for the TRiO SSS and STEM grants. The grants are intended to improve the graduation and transfer rates for first-generation students, income eligible students and students with disabilities. The mission of the grants is to provide intensive support to 280 students each year. The Student Support Specialist will work to recruit and assess participants' eligibility for the programs and provide services to students already admitted to TRiO. This position reports to the Director for TRIO Student Support Service programs.
The Student Support Specialist is a full-time, exempt position that works 12 months of the year. Grays Harbor College has an excellent benefits package to include medical, dental, vision, basic life insurance, primary and supplemental retirement programs and long-term disability insurance. Full-time employees will also receive 15.34 hours of vacation leave per month, 8 hours of sick leave per month and 4 personal leave days a year. Washington state also observes 11 paid holidays per year.
This position at Grays Harbor College has been designated as bargaining unit positions represented by the Grays Harbor College Federation of Teachers, Local 4984. The union and the college have a collective bargaining agreement (referred to as the contract) that is posted on the GHC website at
About the College .
Grays Harbor College serves the communities of Grays Harbor and Pacific counties on the Pacific coast of Washington. Located in Aberdeen, Washington at the base of the beautiful Olympic Peninsula, the College is less than an hour away from scenic Pacific Ocean beaches and close to both the Olympic and Mount Rainier National Parks. Grays Harbor provides the perfect landscape to enjoy the abundance of excellent outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, biking, fishing, clam digging, surfing, boating, and various kayak/canoe paddling opportunities. For more information about working for the college and living in Grays Harbor visit
Grays Harbor is committed to providing excellent educational opportunities. We prioritize student learning, promote student and faculty success, foster an inclusive environment, manage our resources, and connect with the community. We strive to create a culturally relevant environment on campus and in the community by learning and practicing equity-mindedness and promoting faculty, staff, and student diversity.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Work directly with TRiO participants to provide services and support in the form of academic planning, advising, referral, follow-up, mentoring and tracking.
• Identify and assess students' needs using interviewing skills and standardized instruments to develop individual academic support plans including career and education pathways.
• Prepare and provide presentations to classes and other groups regarding the TRiO programs.
• Conduct orientations with potential participants to inform and motivate.
• Monitor and adjust Student Support plans as needed.
• Recommend appropriate interventions and services.
• Assist program participants with problem solving.
• Act as a liaison, advocate and resource for participants.
• Advise participants regarding transfer to four-year colleges.
• Maintain appropriate written and electronic documentation for accurate record keeping and data collection.
• Work effectively and collaboratively with other TRiO staff, campus departments and personnel.
• Assist in the development, implementation and evaluation of activities and programs to improve student success, retention and career planning.
• Present workshops on financial aid, financial literacy, transfer strategies, career paths and other success strategies.
• Understand and follow federal grant rules and guidelines.
• Actively participate on committees as appropriate.
• Occasional evening or weekend work may be required.
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Required

• Bachelor's degree in education, counseling, psychology, human development or related field.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Evidence of strong written and oral communication skills.
• Experience using current computer technologies including Social media, Microsoft office and online classroom software.
• Ability to interview students and assess educational, personal and financial need.

Preferred

• Master's degree in higher education, counseling, human development or related field.
• Similar background characteristics to the student population being served.
• Conversational Spanish language proficiency.
• Experience providing financial aid & academic advising services in a higher education setting.
• A service-oriented philosophy.
• Superior organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to relate effectively with various groups.
• Similar background characteristics to the student population being served.

Supplemental Information
In addition to the GHC online Application you will need to submit the following materials. Incomplete applications will not be accepted or considered.

• Letter of application addressing your qualifications for the position.
• Resume
• Contact information for 3 professional references.
• Transcripts of all college work completed. Unofficial copies are acceptable, official copies will be required at time of hire.

Background checks - Prior to a new hire, 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. Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under
Grays Harbor College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, perceived or actual physical or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, creed, religion, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or use of a trained guide dog or service animal, as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act and ADA Amendment Act, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act and Washington State's Law Against Discrimination, Chapter 49.60 RCW and their implementing regulations. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:
Title II/Section 504 - Darin Jones, Associate Vice President of Human Resources
Title IX Coordinator - Ashley Bowie-Gallegos, Dean of Student Services and Enrollment Management
For further information on notice of non-discrimination, visit for the address and phone number of the office that serves your area, or call 1-800-421-3481.
Grays Harbor College has an excellent benefits package to include medical, dental, vision, basic life insurance, primary and supplemental retirement programs and long-term disability insurance. Full-time employees will also receive 15.34 hours of vacation leave per month, 8 hours of sick leave per month and 4 personal leave days a year. Washington state also observes 11 paid holidays per year.
This position at Grays Harbor College has been designated as bargaining unit positions represented by the Grays Harbor College Federation of Teachers, Local 4984. The union and the college have a collective bargaining agreement (referred to as the contract) that is posted on the GHC website.
01
Do you have a Bachelor's degree in education, counseling, psychology, human development or related field?
02
Do you have strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment?
03
Do you have strong written and oral communication skills?
04
Do you have experience using current computer technologies including social media, Microsoft office and online classroom software?
05
Do you have the ability to interview students and assess educational, personal and financial need?
Required Question