TRIO Director

Job Description:

TRIO Director

Description

CANDIDATES ELIGIBLE TO APPLY: Open to all qualified applicants

CLASSIFICATION TITLE: Director

TEMPORARY END DATE: This position is temporary and ends on or before August 31, 2027. Any continuation beyond August 31, 2027 is contingent upon satisfactory performance and available funding.

FT/PT: Full-time

WORKPLACE TYPE: On-site (work in-person at business location)

ANTICIPATED HIRING RANGE: $6,667 - $7,578 per month

• However, offer amount will be commensurate with candidate’s experience, education, skills, and training.

FOR PRIORITY CONSIDERATION, applications must be received by October 30, 2026 ; however, the position will remain open until filled.

BENEFITS: CSUB offers a best-in-class benefit package for eligible employees that includes an array of medical plans, choice of dental plans, vision coverage, retirement participation in CalPERS, CSU tuition waiver, up to 24 vacation days per year, sick leave with unlimited accrual, 15 paid holidays per year and more! See our benefits website for additional information.

POSITION PURPOSE: TRIO programs are federally funded educational equity initiatives designed to identify, prepare, support, and motivate first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented students to successfully pursue postsecondary education. These programs serve students across the academic pipeline, from middle school to college graduation, by offering a comprehensive set of academic, financial, and personal support services.

Under the administrative direction of the Associate Vice President for Student Success, the Federal TRIO Director is responsible for the administration, implementation, and evaluation of TRIO services, ensuring compliance with federal regulations and campus policies. This includes managing federal budgets, preparing competitive grant proposals and annual performance reports, leading daily operations, development of curricula and co-curricular programming, analyzing student outcomes to inform program improvement, and supervising and training program staff. The Director cultivates partnerships with internal departments and external school districts to provide wraparound services and serves as the campus liaison to the U.S. Department of Education and other national TRIO networks.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

TRIO Program Administration & Leadership

• Develop and lead the vision, goals, and operational strategies for TRIO in alignment with federal grant expectations and campus student success priorities.
• Ensure all TRIO services are delivered in accordance with grant requirements, federal regulations, and CSU Bakersfield’s institutional priorities.
• Prepare and submit the TRIO program grant proposal every five years by analyzing the RFP, determining strategic priorities, drafting narrative sections (e.g., Need, Objectives, Plan of Operation, Evaluation), and coordinating campus and community approvals.
• Collaborate with the Office of Grants, Research, and Sponsored Programs (GRaSP) throughout the grant cycle to ensure alignment with institutional and federal requirements.
• Attend annual COE grant-writing workshops and national meetings to stay current on federal guidelines and best practices.
• Secure necessary support letters to strengthen proposal competitiveness.
• Analyze student engagement, retention, persistence, and graduation data to inform ongoing program improvements and interventions.
• Serve as the official liaison with the U.S. Department of Education, ensuring timely submission of Annual Performance Reports (APRs), budget justifications, and reapplications.
• Manage TRIO program budgets in accordance with federal grant regulations and CSU financial policies; ensure fiscal integrity through procurement, tracking, and reconciliation processes.
• Lead the development of program evaluation plans, coordinate internal assessments, and oversee external evaluations as required by the grant.
• Maintain audit-ready documentation, including participant eligibility records, service tracking, outcomes data, and financial reports.
• Research and recommend changes to policies and practices based on evolving federal guidance, campus needs, and student feedback.
• Lead and oversee the coordination of curriculum development and administration for program participants including attending collaborative meetings with school sites and community partners as well as outreach presentations.
• Lead and coordinate program events, ceremonies, workshops, and field trips.
• Provide orientation of TRIO program to students and/or parents allowing eligible students to fully utilize the TRIO Talent Search Program.

Student Advisement & Case Management

• Provide direct advisement and high-touch case management to first-generation and low-income students, addressing academic, financial, personal, and social barriers to persistence.
• Develop individualized success plans in collaboration with students, integrating academic support, career planning, financial literacy, and wellness strategies.
• Coordinate academic support services including tutoring, mentoring, study skills workshops, and college success seminars for TRIO participants.
• Interpret and apply financial aid policies; assist students in resolving FAFSA issues, SAP appeals, and scholarship access.
• Monitor student progress using early alert systems, coordinate interventions, and collaborate with faculty and academic advisors on student success strategies.
• Maintain confidential student records in compliance with FERPA; use sound judgment in managing sensitive or high-risk cases.
• Facilitate group workshops and one-on-one coaching sessions to build student self-efficacy, goal-setting, and problem-solving skills.

Collaboration & Advocacy

• Cultivate partnerships with Academic Affairs, Financial Aid, Counseling, Disability Services, and other departments to provide wraparound support for TRIO participants.
• Represent TRIO programs at campus, regional, statewide, and national meetings; disseminate best practices and advocate for student needs at professional forums.
• Collaborate with local high schools, community colleges, community-based organizations, and alumni to build referral pipelines and outreach networks.
• Contribute to campus-wide student equity and success initiatives and serve on committees and task forces as needed to elevate the visibility and needs of TRIO students.
• Address complex student concerns related to academic probation, financial crisis, immigration issues, and family challenges using trauma-informed, culturally competent approaches.

Staff Supervision & Leadership

• Provide daily direction, training, and evaluation for a diverse team of professional and student staff, ensuring clarity of role expectations, high performance, and collaborative engagement.
• Establish performance goals and professional development plans for staff in alignment with institutional objectives and grant deliverables.
• Ensure a supportive and inclusive working environment that is responsive to all.
• Oversee day-to-day workflows, project timelines, and staffing models to meet grant benchmarks and deliverables efficiently and effectively.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE - Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university in a related field and five (5) or more years of experience working in advising or related career field. Experience should include grant program experience and at least two (2) years of providing lead direction or supervision in a department, program, or academic support services office.

LICENSES - Possession of a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain by date of hire.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES (SKA’s) -

• Regular and reliable attendance is required.
• Thorough knowledge of federal TRIO regulations, grant administration, and educational equity models.
• Ability to effectively lead and coordinate complex, multi-stakeholder programs.
• Ability to advise students individually or in groups on varied and complex matters.
• Ability to reason logically and analyze and solve organizational and operating problems of one or several program areas.
• Ability to analyze and define complex organizational, policy, and procedural problems, evaluate relevant data, and make well-reasoned decisions that lead to effective solutions.
• Demonstrated customer service experience requiring a very high level of diplomacy and professionalism.
• Ability to use tact and diplomacy to effectively handle a broad range of high level and sensitive interpersonal situations with diverse personalities, and to respond appropriately to conflicts and problems.
• Ability to initiate, establish, and foster communication and teamwork by maintaining a positive, cooperative, productive work atmosphere in the University with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within a diverse population and with those from various cultural backgrounds.
• Excellent communication skills; ability to effectively communicate information in a clear and understandable manner.
• Thorough knowledge of English grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Ability to interpret, communicate and apply policies and procedures.
• Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to set own priorities to coordinate multiple assignments with fluctuating and time-sensitive deadlines.
• Excellent computer skills and competence with a variety of computer applications including word-processing, spreadsheets, databases, on-line systems, Internet as well as online calendaring and email.
• Working knowledge of or ability to quickly learn University infrastructure.
• Must be willing to travel and attend training programs off-site for occasional professional development.
• Must be able to work occasional holidays and adjust working hours to meet special jobs. May be called back periodically to perform work as needed on an emergency basis.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in Counseling, Education, Higher Ed Leadership, Social Work, or a related field.
• Experience writing or renewing federal grant proposals (e.g., TRIO, HSI, Title V).
• Bilingual (English/Spanish).
• Demonstrated skills in an institutional/educational environment possessing a customer-oriented and service-centered attitude.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: LIGHT WORK - involves mainly sitting, up to 25% standing or walking; lifting medium weight objects limited to 25 pounds.

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS:N/A

SPECIAL CONDITIONS:

SCREENING: Only those applicants possessing experience most directly related to the immediate needs of the office will be invited to appear before a Qualifications Appraisal Board for the purpose of appraising training, experience, and interest in the position.

BACKGROUND CHECK: Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. CSU will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

SENSITIVE POSITION: Sensitive positions are designated by the CSU as requiring heightened scrutiny of individuals holding the position, based on potential for harm to children, concerns for the safety and security of the people, animals, or property, or heightened risk of financial loss to the CSU or individuals in the university community.

MANDATED REPORTER: Limited: The person holding this position is considered a limited mandated reporter under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083, revised July 21, 2017.

GENERAL INFORMATION: It is the policy of California State University, Bakersfield to employ only United States citizens and aliens lawfully authorized to work in the United States. All new employees will be required to present documentation verifying their right to accept employment. You will also be requested to present a social security card at the time of initial appointment in compliance with state payroll regulations. State regulations require that every state employee sign the Oath of Allegiance prior to commencing the duties of his/her State employment, except legally employed non-citizens. These individuals are required to sign the Declaration of Permission to Work.

The California State University (“CSU”), including California State University, Bakersfield is committed to an inclusive and equitable community that values diversity and fosters mutual respect. All students and employees have the right to participate fully in CSU programs, activities, admission, and employment free from discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual exploitation, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking and retaliation. The CSU Nondiscrimination Policy prohibits discrimination and harassment based on any protected status, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual exploitation, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, prohibited consensual relationships, and retaliation.

Campus contact for our Nondiscrimination policy is Allan Williams, Associate Vice President of Civil Rights & Compliance, (661) 654-2713.

Advertised: Oct 16 2026 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close: