Director of TRIO

Director of TRIO

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth's Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly called a Certificate of Disability) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans may also apply via the AHP if they also provide an AHP Letter. To request an AHP Letter, use this link: https://www.dars.virginia.gov/drs/cpid/PWContact.aspx or call DARS at 800-552-5019, or DBVI at 800-622-2155

Working Title  | Director of TRIO
Role Title  | Education Administrator II
Role Code  | 29134-SW
FLSA  | Exempt
Pay Band  | 05
Position Number  | 287R0061
Agency  | Mountain Gateway Community College
Division  | Mountain Gateway Community College (Div)
Work Location  | Alleghany - 005
Hiring Range  | $57,733 to $75,000 (depending upon incumbent's education and experience)
Emergency/Essential Personnel  | No
EEO Category  | B-Professional
Full Time or Part Time  | Full Time
Does this position have telework options? -Telework options are subject to change based on business needs-  |
Does this position have a bilingual or multilingual skill requirement or preference?  |
Work Schedule  | 8 am to 5 pm Monday through Thursday, 8 am to 3:30 pm Friday
Sensitive Position  | Yes

Job Description 
Mountain Gateway Community College (MGCC) is a two-year public institution of higher education and one of 23 community colleges in Virginia. The college is supported by the Commonwealth of Virginia; the counties of Alleghany, Bath, Botetourt (northern portion) and Rockbridge; the cities of Buena Vista, Covington, and Lexington; and the town of Clifton Forge. MGCC provides opportunities for the extension of knowledge, skills and personal enrichment in an environment that maintains high academic standards and respect for each individual. The college strives to keep programs and services financially and geographically accessible for all students. Credit and non-credit courses are offered to meet life-long learning needs. On-site and distance learning options incorporate up-to-date technologies.

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced leader to serve as the Program Director for our TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) Program. This position provides strategic and operational leadership, ensuring program activities align with federal guidelines and grant objectives. The ideal candidate will be passionate about supporting underserved students and committed to fostering a positive, collaborative team environment.

Key Responsibilities: Provide strategic and operational leadership for the TRIO SSS program, ensuring compliance with federal guidelines and alignment with institutional goals. Develop, implement, and assess program services aimed at enhancing student retention, academic achievement, graduation, and transfer. Supervise and support TRIO SSS staff, cultivating a positive and productive team environment. Manage the program budget responsibly, ensuring all expenditures adhere to federal regulations and institutional policies. Oversee data collection, analysis, and reporting to evaluate program effectiveness and support continuous improvement. Prepare and submit required annual performance reports and documentation to the U.S. Department of Education. Build and maintain partnerships with internal departments, community organizations, and educational institutions to support program objectives. Lead outreach and recruitment efforts to identify and enroll eligible students. Coordinate professional development, workshops, financial literacy training, mentoring, and career readiness activities. Stay informed of federal TRIO regulations, best practices, and trends in student support services. Advocate for TRIO-eligible students, addressing the unique challenges faced by underserved populations. Participate in college programs and activities to include required college professional development, college task forces, college committees, and other projects dedicated to the advancement of the college.

Why Join Mountain Gateway? Competitive fringe benefits package. Opportunities for professional development. Engaging and supportive work environment. The chance to make a meaningful difference in students’ lives.

Special Assignments  | May be required to perform other duties as assigned. May be required to assist the agency or state government generally in the event of an emergency declaration by the Governor.

KSA's/Required Qualifications
Required Qualifications: Master’s Degree in higher education, counseling, social work, or a related field from an accredited institution. (PhD preferred)

Minimum of three (3) years of experience working with TRIO programs or similar academic support programs for disadvantaged college students.

Minimum of two (2) years of experience in staff supervision; budget management; program development and evaluation; grant management; reporting and compliance with federal regulations.
 
Demonstrated experience leading and completing projects, and performing other necessary duties, under pressure and tight timelines. Demonstrated experience identifying academic support needs of students in an educational setting, with referrals to relevant community resources. Demonstrated ability to learn quickly, with willingness to assume additional responsibilities as needed, to fulfill the SSS grant requirements. Demonstrated knowledge of and experience in the application of general counseling techniques as they relate to students with disabilities. Demonstrated interpersonal skills and ability to work and problem solve with a variety of people, e.g. students, faculty, staff, administrators, and community agencies. Knowledge of physical and learning disabilities, and their impact on learning, as well as appropriate accommodations. Experience supervising and/or coordinating part-time employees. Demonstrated ability to recruit train and supervise student academic coaches. Demonstrated experience in the use of computer applications including word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation software, such as the programs in the Microsoft Office. Excellent written and oral communication skills. Excellent organizational skills and aptitude for detailed work. Must pass a background check, which may include fingerprinting. Must continue to meet the established standards.
 
Additional Considerations  | Additional Considerations:
Demonstrated experience leading educational support programs, preferably TRIO SSS or similar federally funded initiatives. Knowledge of federal TRIO program regulations and compliance requirements. Proven ability to plan and execute strategic initiatives aimed at improving student success. Experience preparing grant proposals and managing program budgets. Strong analytical skills with the ability to use data to assess and improve services. Commitment to the academic success of low-income, first-generation students, and students with disabilities. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to build and sustain effective collaborations with stakeholders and partners. Personal experience overcoming academic barriers similar to those faced by TRIO students. Experience designing and delivering student development and support workshops. Familiarity with evaluation methodologies for measuring program effectiveness. Demonstrated competence and sensitivity to work effectively with the targeted student population, understanding and addressing the unique needs of first-generation, low-income, and students with disabilities.
 
If hired for this Virginia state employee position, you will be required to complete a Statement of Economic Interests (SOEI) form. This is a requirement under the Code of Virginia, specifically pursuant to § 2.2-3114.This filing is a condition of employment and is intended to promote transparency and prevent conflicts of interest between your personal economic interests and your official duties as a state employee. You’ll need to complete this form upon being hired and then annually thereafter by February 1st. You’ll also be required to complete conflict of interest training every two years.

Operation of a State Vehicle  | No
Supervises Employees  | Yes
Required Travel  | Some travel to attend conferences

 Posting Detail Information 

Posting Number  | CLS_3890P
Recruitment Type  | General Public - G
Number of Vacancies  | 1
Position End Date (if temporary)  |
Job Open Date  | 07/21/2025
Job Close Date  | 08/04/2025
Open Until Filled  |
Agency Website  | www.mgcc.edu/jobs
Contact Name  |
Email  |
Phone Number  |
Special Instructions to Applicants  | In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth’s Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly called a Certificate of Disability) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans may also apply via the AHP if they also provide an AHP Letter. To request an AHP Letter, use this link: https://www.dars.virginia.gov/drs/cpid/PWContact.aspx or call DARS at 800-552-5019, or DBVI at 800-622-2155

Additional Information  | Grant-funded position, with continuation contingent upon ongoing funding
Background Check Statement Disclaimer  | The selected candidate’s offer is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background investigation, which may include: fingerprint checks, local agency checks, employment verification, verification of education, credit checks (relevant to employment). Additionally, selected candidates may be required to complete the Commonwealth’s Statement of Economic Interest. For more information, please follow this link:  http://ethics.dls.virginia.gov/

EEO Statement  | The Virginia Community College System (VCCS) provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, political affiliation, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or other non-merit factors.

ADA Statement  | The Virginia Community College System (VCCS) is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Acts (ADA and ADAAA), to provide, reasonable accommodation to applicants in need of access to the application, interviewing, and selection processes when requested.

E-Verify Statement  | VCCS uses E-Verify to check employee eligibility to work in the United States. You will be required to complete an I-9 form and provide documentation of your identity for employment purposes.

Quicklink for Posting  | https://jobs.vccs.edu/postings/86976

Supplemental Questions

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Applicant Documents