Virginia Community Colleges is hiring a TRIO Assistant Director/Advisor to help lead federally funded TRIO student support services at Mountain Empire Community College. The advisor guides first-generation and low-income students through academic planning, advising, and retention support. The role also involves recruiting and travel events across the college's four-county service region.
Highlights
Administers day-to-day operations of the TRIO Student Support Services program alongside the program director.
Advises first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented students on academic planning and degree progress.
Serves residents of Lee, Scott, Wise, and Dickenson counties and the City of Norton.
Requires availability for after-hours and weekend work during recruiting and travel events.
Pays a hiring range of $45,739 to $60,000 for this full-time Education Support Specialist III role.
Works a standard Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. schedule.
Holds sensitive-position status, reflecting the trust and confidentiality required in student advising work.
Operates as one of twenty-three colleges within the Virginia Community College System.
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
Posting Details
Posting Summary
Working Title | TRIO Assistant Director/Advisor Role Title | Education Support Spec III Role Code | 29144-SW FLSA | Exempt Pay Band | 04 Position Number | 299R0093 Agency | Mountain Empire Community College Division | Mountain Empire Community College (Div) Work Location | Wise - 195 Hiring Range | $45,739 - $60,000 Emergency/Essential Personnel | No EEO Category | N-No EEO-4 Reporting Full Time or Part Time | Full Time Does this position have telework options? -Telework options are subject to change based on business needs- | No Does this position have a bilingual or multilingual skill requirement or preference? | No Work Schedule | Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. After hours and weekend work may be required if a recruiting or travel event is scheduled. Sensitive Position | Yes Job Description | Mountain Empire Community College is a comprehensive two-year college serving residents of Lee, Scott, Wise, and Dickenson counties, and the City of Norton. MECC is one of twenty-three colleges in the Virginia Community College System and operates under policies established by the State Board for Community Colleges and the Local Advisory Board. The College is financed primarily with state funds, supplemented by contributions from the local jurisdictions.
Designs, coordinates, and evaluates all program services for the Student Support Services in relation to project objectives: identification, selection, financial aid review, mentoring, counseling, provision of services, and follow-up of program participants. Collects data using various data collection methods such as interviews, applications, and surveys. Ensures proper reporting and administration of requirements. Plans and implements a financial literacy program and a process for awarding grant aid. Develops and facilitates intensive transfer planning and activities. Coordinates career assessment and advisement with resources on campus. Provides intrusive academic advising and course planning for project participants. Provides career and academic coaching and counseling. Maintains a large caseload of program participants with multiple deadlines, monitoring requirements, and ongoing assessment.. Other duties may be required as assigned or deemed part of Student Services programming
This position may include up to one day per week telework from a preapproved location.
This position is designated as a restricted position in accordance with Department of Human Resource Management (DHRM) Policy 2.20. A restricted position is one that is funded, in whole or in part (minimum of 10%), by non-continuous or non-recurring funding sources such as grants, contracts, donations, auxiliary revenues, or other time-limited funding streams.As a result, the continued availability of this position is dependent upon the continuation of the identified funding source(s). Should such funding be reduced, modified, or discontinued, the position and therefore employment in this role may be subject to change or elimination in accordance with applicable state and institutional policies. Employees serving in restricted positions are generally afforded the same terms and conditions of employment as other classified employees; however, certain provisions such as layoff sequencing and eligibility for placement rights or severance benefits may differ based on the nature and continuity of funding.By accepting or continuing in this position, the employee acknowledges and understands the restricted status of the role and the potential implications associated with its funding source. 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 | Knowledge, skills, and abilities that are required to be successful in the position:Experience working with a population of first–generation, low–income individuals. Ability to develop and implement an Individual Service Plan (ISP) with customized strategies, as well as tracking all participants. Knowledge of the FAFSA, financial aid, and scholarship processes. Experience in retention and intrusive advising facilitating student success. Experience in implementing financial literacy programs. Excellent written and oral communication skills. Excellent technology skills, with experience entering information into a database. Proficiency in MS Office. Ability to create and maintain a social media account for the program. Ability to coordinate with other professionals, on and off campus, regarding workshops, seminars, and consultations to develop student success skills supporting the goals of the grant. Ability to create and maintain detailed records of participant progress. Demonstrated ability to work independently to achieve goals and make decisions. Ability to manage conflicting priorities and handle multiple tasks/projects concurrently. Experience in collaborating with offices on campus and in the community. Coordinates, implements, and evaluates transfer assistance including visits, tours, admissions, and financial aid for participants. Ability to maintain a large caseload of program participants with multiple deadlines, monitoring requirements, and ongoing assessment. Required minimum qualifications: Minimum of a master’s degree in education, counseling, social work, higher education administration, or other field as appropriate, with at least two years’ experience with grant-funded or educational programs. Minimum of three or more years’ experience in advising and assisting disadvantaged and at-risk college students in course selection, academic success and persistence, career selection, promoting financial literacy, transfer processes, and financial aid.
Additional Considerations | Minimum of three or more years’ experience working in a TRIO program or with a similar related program for disadvantaged and at-risk students in a rural community college.
Operation of a State Vehicle | Yes Supervises Employees | No Required Travel | Travel may include an annual statewide student trip. The employee may be required to operate a state vehicle in connection with these trips.
Posting Detail Information
Posting Number | CLS_4759P Recruitment Type | General Public - G Number of Vacancies | 1 Position End Date (if temporary) | Job Open Date | 09/23/2026 Job Close Date | 10/06/2026 Open Until Filled | No Agency Website | www.mecc.edu/work-at-mecc Contact Name | Jessica Lewis Email | [email protected] Phone Number | 276-523-2400 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 | 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/101463
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
Resume
Cover Letter/Letter of Application
Optional Documents
Unofficial Transcripts
Other Document
Curriculum Vitae
Certificate
Unofficial Transcript 2
Unofficial Transcript 3
PDF Portfolio or Website
Alternative Hiring Process Letter
License
SF-50 (Documentation of involuntary separation from Federal Agency)
