TRIO Success Advisor (Grant-funded)

BIOLA UNIVERSITY - LA MIRADA, CALIFORNIA

Address of Job Location: 13800 Biola Ave, La Mirada, CA 90639

Website page of the Job Posting

Job Summary:
TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) is a federally funded retention, graduation, and transfer program that aims to support the academic needs of low-income students, first-generation students, and students with a documented disability. The TRIO Success Advisor serves income-eligible, first generation college students and students with disabilities by providing academic advising, financial education, and career planning programming, aiming to improve their academic performance, retention, and graduation rates. The Success Advisor supports the Director of TRIO in the implementation, coordination and delivery of all program activities and services.

This grant program runs on a five-year grant cycle and is currently pending funding for the 2025-26 academic year.

Department
TRIO Student Support Services, Division of Student Success

Supervisor
This position reports to the Director of TRIO Student Support Services.

Hiring Range: $23.85 - 28.85 per hour

Job Responsibilities:
The person who fills this position must be someone who personally agrees with Biola’s Articles of Faith and Statement of Biblical Principles. As such, this person may not speak against or act in a manner inconsistent with these positions during the course of their employment at Biola.

Essential Duties
Academic Success Advising:
Assesses individual student needs and develops tailored educational plans. Helps students improve study skills, time management, and test-taking strategies. Offer support and intervention for students facing academic challenges. In consultation with the Advising Center, provides guidance on course selection, degree planning, and academic progress.

Personal and Career Development:
Provides personalized counseling and support services. Assists with career exploration, planning, and goal setting. Organizes and facilitates workshops on relevant topics like financial literacy, college success, and personal development. Connects students with campus and community resources.

Program Coordination and Administration:
Monitors and tracks student progress, maintaining accurate records and documentation. Assists with program-related activities, events, and workshops. Contributes to reports required by the Department of Education or the institution. Maintains program information and communication channels, such as social media platforms.

Participates in all SSS program activities that are intended to increase motivation, improve transition to college and build the strength of the SSS class cohorts, including college transfer visits, cultural events and relevant workshops to SSS participants.

Advocacy and Support:
Serves as an advocate for students with faculty, staff, and other departments as needed. Ensures compliance with federal regulations governing the TRIO SSS program. Promotes a supportive and inclusive environment for students. Participates in professional development opportunities to enhance skills and knowledge.

Technology:
Utilizes university technology systems (e.g., Google Workspace, Slate, Banner, Elucian) to track student progress and program engagement.

All other duties as assigned that the supervisor determines are appropriate.

Job Requirements:
Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree preferred, in education, psychology, sociology, or related field. Minimum of one to three years of relevant experience working in a TRIO program or related higher education setting. The ideal candidate will have a proven ability to work with economically disadvantaged and under-resourced students in a postsecondary setting. Individuals from the target populations are encouraged to apply.

Work Requirements
Non-Exempt (02), full-time – 40 hours/week, 12 months per year
Some nights and weekends required (for conference travel and/or student events)
This position requires personal attendance at Biola’s campus in La Mirada, California.

Required Skills/Qualifications
Communication and Cultural Humility:
Excellent written and verbal communication skills for interacting with diverse students, faculty, and staff members. Active listening to understand others’ needs and respond effectively. Demonstrates cultural competence and humility, exhibiting sensitivity when working with students and staff of diverse racial, ethnic, socio economic and ability backgrounds. Ability to motivate, encourage and develop rapport with eligible students.

Public Speaking and Teaching:
Demonstrated presentation skills with adeptness in speaking before large groups or audiences. Curriculum development and instruction experience is preferred.

Assessment, Reporting and Data Management:
Experience with customer relationship management databases, learning management systems, and program assessment.

Advising and Coaching:
Experience with coaching and student development theories and methods. Knowledge of transfer information and graduation requirements for post-secondary institutions. Knowledge of academic and personal growth strategies including learning styles

Google Workspace:
Familiarity with Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Drive (Docs, Sheets, Slides), and Google Meet.

Time Management and Organization:
Prioritizing tasks and managing time effectively to meet deadlines. Juggling multiple responsibilities and details without compromising quality.

Confidentiality:
Able to respect and uphold issues of confidentiality with poise, especially related to personnel, budget, FERPA, and student issues. Handling sensitive information with discretion.

Physical Demands/Work Environment:
The work in this position is performed within routine office conditions, usually without exposure to hazardous or unpleasant conditions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Expiration Date of Job Posting: May 31, 2026

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