Grays Harbor College Looking for TRIO EOC Outreach & Enrollment Specialist Full Time

Grays Harbor College is now accepting applications for a full-time EOC Outreach and Enrollment Specialist. The GHC TRIO Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) provides educational outreach services to traditionally under-represented, low-income, and first-generation students, promoting educational access and post-secondary educational involvement. This position provides individual and group counseling on admissions, financial aid, academic, and other related services. Position will have frequent contact with incoming clients and address questions regarding program services. Position will also have contact with area high schools within target communities. Presentations, informational booths, and workshops will be given at various agencies within target communities established by EOC grant proposal guidelines. This position reports to the Director for TRIO EOC.

The position is funded by a federal grant project, which runs in 5-year cycles. The current grant cycle will end August 31, 2026, and the college will reapply for the grant. Of note – TRIO projects at GHC have been continually funded since September of 2005. There is no guarantee of funding beyond 2026, yet any experience that provides a positive outlook could extend the grant for the cycle.

GHC has a strong commitment to the achievement of equity and inclusion among its faculty, staff and students and values the rich diverse backgrounds that make up the campus community. To ensure the college provides an inclusive educational and employment environment focused on strategies for success and equitable outcomes for all, we are seeking a candidate who has an understanding of, and experience with, successfully supporting individuals with varying backgrounds, including people with disabilities; people with various gender identities and sexual orientations; individuals from historically underrepresented communities; and other groups.

Grays Harbor College has an excellent benefits package to include comprehensive health care insurance, primary and supplemental retirement programs, long-term disability insurance, vacation and sick leave, and employee tuition waivers.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Work directly with TRIO EOC participants to provide services support 
• Identify and assess students’ needs using interviewing skills and standardized instruments to develop appropriate interventions and support services in the form of advising, referral, follow-up, mentoring and tracking.
• Conduct orientations with potential project participants to inform and motivate
• Facilitate participant intake process, following project guidelines and procedures 
• Recruit and assess participant’s eligibility for services 
• Provide services to high school students and verify that the participant is not a pre-collegiate of other TRIO Programs
• Disseminate college admissions and financial aid information at informational booths, college fairs, and job fairs within established target communities and select high schools
• Prepare and give presentations regarding the EOC project to partner agencies, community organizations, educational institutions, councils and businesses to recruit and facilitate student referrals. 
• Interact with human service agencies, educational institutions, and educational programs to coordinate services and promote access to post-secondary education
• Act as a liaison, advocate and resource for participants. 
• Establish and maintain contact with educational institutions to which project participants have applied and enrolled
• Work effectively and collaboratively with other TRIO staff, campus departments and personnel. 
• Assist supervisor with the Annual Performance Report (APR) as required by the US Department of Education
• Maintain appropriate written and electronic documentation of each project participant for tracking and data collection
• Assist program participants with admissions, financial aid, academic and related issues associated with GHC enrollment or post-secondary education 
• Present workshops on financial aid, literacy, scholarship processes, and college readiness and enrollment processes. Understand and follow federal grant rules and guidelines
• Input participant information in database to track current and past participant information
• Actively participate in staff meetings and committees as appropriate
• Occasional evenings or weekend work may be required, as well as 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. 

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in education, human services, counseling, or any other related field
• Experience facilitating workshops, seminars and/or presentations. 
• Strong organizational, written, and oral communication skills 
• Knowledge of the unique needs of low-income, first-generation populations, at-risk populations, special-needs populations, and other under-represented populations
• Ability to interview students and assess educational, personal, and financial needs.
• TRIO project experience or equivalent program that serves students who are first-generation, historically underrepresented, low-income, disabled, and/or academically underperforming. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Master’s degree in higher education, counseling, human development or related field. 
• Conversational Spanish language proficiency. 
• Two or more years’ experience of higher education in outreach and recruitment and/or entry services in a college setting
• Similar characteristics to the participant population being served
• Demonstrated experience with contributing to culture change around equity and inclusion with a social justice lens
• Ability to use a computer and other technologies as routine work tools and operate a student information management software to assist students.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:

This position is open until filled. First review date is 2/27/2022. 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. 

Vaccinated campus – All employees in higher education are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID as a condition of employment. Employees may apply for exemptions for medical and deeply held religious reasons. 

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 Washington State Law.