TRIO Student Support Services Advisor

Anticipated appointment begin date: September 1, 2026. Open until filled. This is a full-time, 12-month, non-renewable, grant-funded position. Benefits eligible. Must possess and maintain a current, valid driver license and successfully complete a criminal background check.

About the role

Reporting to the Director of Success at Southern, a TRIO Student Success Services program, this position is designed to assist students towards persistence, graduation, and career goals. The advisor will provide advising support, career counseling, academic and personal development coaching, lead/attend cultural trips and activities, teach at least 1-credit courses per term, and provide success workshops to students. The advisor's primary duties directly support the program mission: to increase the college retention and graduation rates of eligible participants and help them clarify their goals, succeed academically, and graduate with a bachelor's degree in a timely manner.

Responsibilities

• Connects students with resources, individuals, and tools to help them stay on track for academic success.
• Keeps accurate student records and monitors academic progress towards degree completion.
• Facilitates student registration; works with students and others to identify and remove barriers to persistence and completion.
• Participates in campus events including New Student Programs and Registration events.
• Holds standard office hours for drop-in and by-appointment student advising; provides increased hours during peak registration periods.
• Utilizes tools such as Workday, Navigate, Blumen, and Banner Student Information System (SIS) to assist with advising and registration.
• Reviews relevant student information such as academic history and demographic data to help identify and conduct outreach to students at risk of falling behind on their path to a degree.
• Coordinates retention and persistence functions, including design and implementation of surveys and collecting data to analyze and support retention activities.
• Assesses and interprets individual student needs; identifies students at academic risk and makes appropriate referrals to internal and external resources.
• Engages in ongoing training and development pertaining to university-specific curricular requirements, academic policies, administrative procedures, and associated systems.
• Explains degree (major, minor, certificates) structure, progress towards degrees, and develops a plan and timeline for completing degree requirements.
• Inputs documentation for grant-required services and assists Director in federal annual reporting process.
• Plans, creates, and teaches relevant curriculum each term both in person and online.
• Creates, coordinates, implements, and supervises culturally enriching activities/events.
• Serves on program and campus committees that directly support the success of TRIO Students (e.g., First-Generation Forward, EDI committees, new student programs).
• Attends professional development opportunities to increase knowledge and skills associated with student success.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Education, Sociology, Psychology, or related field.
• Minimum of two years experience in progressively responsible positions related to higher education student services, human services, or high school student services.
• Experience with/ability to interact with a diverse population.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in Federal TRIO programs.
• Experience with programs involving financial aid counseling, academic advising, basic skills development, career counseling, or mentoring.
• Personal experience overcoming barriers similar to those confronting program participants (low-income, first-generation, or disability).
• Master's degree in Education, Sociology, Psychology, or related field.

Skills

• Excellent communication skills; demonstrated ability to effectively communicate information clearly and understandably, both verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated customer service experience requiring diplomacy and professionalism to handle sensitive interpersonal situations.
• Ability to interpret and consistently apply complex policies and procedures where specific guidelines may not always exist.
• Ability to work with frequent changes in policies and procedures, under pressure of deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical and research skills; ability to gather, evaluate, and develop well-reasoned conclusions and recommendations.
• Ability to proactively assess work operations, anticipate potential problems, and develop strategies for preventing/resolving problems.
• Ability to perform work of a highly sensitive and confidential nature with sound judgment, discretion, tact, and diplomacy.
• Takes initiative in independently planning, organizing, and performing work assignments within broadly defined parameters.
• High level of productivity and accuracy/attention to detail.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to coordinate multiple assignments with fluctuating and time-sensitive deadlines.
• Proficiency with computer applications including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, online systems, social media platforms, internet, online calendaring, and email.
• Ability to initiate, establish, and foster communication and teamwork by maintaining a positive, cooperative, productive work atmosphere within a diverse population and with those from various cultural backgrounds.
• Working knowledge or ability to quickly learn university infrastructure, policies, and procedures.
• Skills in a customer-oriented and service-centered environment.

Pay

$3,722.25 - $3,787.50/monthly or $44,667 - $45,450/annually at 1.0 FTE.

Schedule

Full-time, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Hours are subject to change with notice.

Benefits

Southern Oregon University offers a generous benefits and pension program. For more details, visit the Benefit Overview and use the Total Compensation Calculator.

Physical Demand

• Normal office activities such as sitting/standing at a desk, using a computer, answering phones, and communicating in person or via phone.
• Must be able to perform driving-related duties, which are essential to the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Special Conditions

• Must be willing to travel and attend off-site training programs for occasional professional development.
• Must be able to work additional hours and adjust working hours to meet special job requirements. May be called back periodically to perform work as needed on an emergency basis.
• Must successfully pass a pre-employment background check.
• This position is exempt and not subject to the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
• The person holding this position is considered a mandatory reporter under the Oregon Revised Statutes and is required to comply with the requirements set forth by the Oregon Department of Human Services.
• This position requires driving for university business. Final candidates will complete the university’s driver clearance process. Candidates with driver’s licenses issued outside Oregon will need to provide a certified driving record from their state of residence.