Skills Development Advisor - San Diego State University Research Foundation

Overview

This position has been budgeted for $5,546.67 per month and is non-negotiable. 

The TRIO-Student Support Services-Disabled Project (TRIO SSS-DS) is under the auspices of Student Disability Services (SDS) in the Division of Student Affairs and Campus Diversity.  SDS provides a full range of accommodations and support services, including the TRIO-SSS-Disabled Project, to students with a wide variety of visible and invisible disabilities, to provide equal access to the education and opportunities for success at SDSU. 

The TRIO SSS-DS Project is a federally funded project which provides enhanced services including tutoring, coaching, developmental writing and study skills instruction, academic advising, financial literacy counseling, intensive outreach and intervention, career advising, academic coaching, non-cognitive skill-building and peer mentoring. Goals of the project are to improve the academic standing, and increase retention and graduation rates of a target population of 225 undergraduate students with disabilities who are academically at-risk. The SDSU TRIO SSS-DS Project is funded to serve disabled-only students, so 100% of students who receive services from this project have a verified disability, either visible or invisible, and a portion also meet federal low-income criteria. The TRIO SSS-DS Project funded staff include a Project Director, Academic Advisor, Tutor Coordinator and several Peer Mentor/Coach/Tutors (students). 

The Skills Development Advisor is under supervision of the TRIO SSS Project Supervisor. Under the guidance of the TRIO SSS Project Supervisor the Skills Development Advisor is responsible for coordinating the daily functions of academic advising and retention initiatives in TRIO SSS which includes, developing and presenting workshops (in-person and online) on various academic topics, outreach activities, case management, and documenting case notes. This position works to ensure that disabled, disadvantaged (economically, and educationally) students are effectively accessing University resources and TRIO SSS Project services to improve their academic and personal progress. This position ensures the development of academic plans, and chooses programs and courses to explore interests and attain participants’ goals; supports students in developing skills for college success, and makes referrals to college resources and support services as necessary; assists students in exploring and preparing for careers or post-baccalaureate education; supports engagement in experiential and service learning opportunities including internships; and assists students in understanding SDSU policies and procedures. This position also has responsibility for coordination of events, campus tours, workshops, and programs.

Responsibilities

The Academic Advisor is responsible for but not limited to:

Coordinate Academic, Career and Support Services 50%

• Coordinates tours and provides information to students, parents, and professionals to showcase the project's services.
• Responsible for designing, scheduling, and conducting writing, study skills, financial literacy, and other workshops.
• Coordinates the LASSI assessment for the assigned TRIO participant caseload and schedules follow-up meetings to review results and develop strategies for improvement.
• Serve as academic coach and provide mentoring, proactive advising, and overall support to caseload SSS participants, which includes monitoring academic progress, and provide intervention solutions.
• Coordinate the recruitment and selection of program eligible participants under the program admissions process; assure that all grant guidelines regarding Student Support Services eligibility are met.
• Assist with the direction and formulation of policies and procedures that support participants in obtaining other campus resources.
• Work with Project Supervisor to manage program activities and services including Academic Advising, Financial Literacy Advising, Career Counseling, and Graduate School Admission counseling.
• Advise participants in developing Student Success Plans to meet their academic and career goals, design intervention strategies to increase performance.
• Document and record participants need for services, academic support, and disability.
• Maintain timely and accurate participant records including contact logs, case notes, and files.
• Research and apply new and emerging best practices regarding student advising, outreach and retention.

Outreach and Caseload Management 30%

• Outreach to TRIO-SSS participants who are not accessing project services, or on leave-of-absence, to identify academic risks and barriers and to re-engage with the Project.
• Intrusive, proactive outreach to students specifically identified to be at immediate academic risk, such as those currently on academic probation.
• Assist Project Director with creating and coordinating program events and activities (workshops, campus visits, TRIO program orientation, TRIO Events).
• Refer participants to the Tutor Coordinator for tutorial needs.
• Serve on relevant university-wide committee(s) and build partnerships across campus.
• Along with other project staff, designs, produces, and distributes promotional materials including both print and virtual formats for the Student Support Services Program.
• Along with other project staff, designs, produces, and posts content on TRIO social media accounts.
• Develops a multi-channel communication plan, utilizing email, SMS, phone, etc., to send timely communication and updates regarding support services, workshops, and scheduled check-ins, ensuring consistent and accessible communication for the assigned student caseload.

Administrative Duties 15%

• Assist in the collection and analysis of data needed for the Annual Performance Report.
• Variety of administrative duties (department meetings, assist in developing procedures, etc.) to assure the successful operations of the Project.
• Input data and case notes into the TRIO projects database.
• Develops understanding of and relationships with other programs at the university that provide services, support and information that benefit SSS Project participants and that can further the objectives of the project.
• Maintains current and up-to-date assigned student caseload files by inactivating students who have left the university, and destroying files that have been inactivated for six or more years.
• Attend meetings with Student Disability Services to coordinate services for TRIO participants and to learn of trends in the disability services field.

Other Duties and Responsibilities as Assigned 5%

• Other duties as assigned that are appropriate under the guidelines of the funded grant and that are appropriate for this classification.

Qualifications

Knowledge & Abilities

• General knowledge of the practices, procedures and activities of the TRIO-Student Support Services Project (TRIO SSS).
• General knowledge of academic advising, career, financial aid and economic literacy activities and related services for Disabled Eligible Students.
• General knowledge of research and interview techniques and the principles of individual and group behavior.
• General knowledge of effective student “coaching.”
• General knowledge of program development for student support initiatives.
• Knowledge with computer software programs such as MS Office, Word, Excel, etc.
• Ability to effectively coach students, specifically in the areas of guiding Disabled Eligible Students with goal setting, time management, self-advocacy, and study skills.
• Ability to interpret and apply program rules and regulations.
• Ability to use initiative and resourcefulness in planning work assignments and in implementing long-range program improvements.
• Ability to obtain factual and interpretive information; reason logically; collect, compile, analyze and evaluate data and make verbal or written presentations based on the data.
• Ability to advise students individually and in groups on routine matters where required.
• Ability to establish and maintain relationships with students, academic advisors, faculty, university staff, and community agencies and partners.
• Ability to monitor and respond to the needs of the disabled/disadvantaged student population.
• Ability to interact effectively with co-workers, clients and study participants.
• Ability to understand and follow posted work rules and procedures.
• Ability to relate well to others within the project environment.
• Ability to display motivation and strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to display excellent communication skills and writing skills.
• Ability to display organization skills, meet deadlines, display detail orientation, possess good judgment, and common sense.
• Ability to demonstrate a high level of cross-cultural sensitivity.
• Ability to manage social media account(s).

Education & Experience

• Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university in education, counseling, educational leadership or related fields, including upper division or graduate course work in counseling techniques, interviewing, and/or conflict resolution. 
• Two-years of professional student services work experience or related field; a masters' degree in a job-related field may be substituted for one-year of professional experience.

Preferred Qualifications & Special Skills

• One (1) year of appropriate and professional experience working in a TRIO federal program or similar related program/project for disadvantaged and at-risk college students.
• Specialized experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

Additional Applicant Information

• Candidate must reside in California and live in a commutable distance from SDSU at time of hire.
• Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on Background Check results (including a criminal record check).
• San Diego State University Research Foundation is an EEO/AA/Disability/Vets Employer/Title IX employer.