College Access Specialist

Agency

Department

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service seeks a College Access Specialist who is a proven expert with strong college preparation programming experience to support the implementation of the Rural Student Success Initiative. Candidates should demonstrate professionalism, successful program implementation, and helping middle and/or high school students prepare for college and succeed in obtaining a higher education. This position requires a proven ability to plan goals in order to meet objectives according to a project timeline and the ability to closely monitor progress toward these goals. Applicants should also possess a sincere interest in providing rural youth and their families access to higher education opportunities, in addition to resources that promote student success in college.

This position will report directly to the Project Director. Travel is required to rural regions in Texas.
 

Program Planning and Implementation: 

• Coordinates counties involved in the Rural Student Success Initiative including general oversight of project implementation of college access/success programming in designated rural school districts.

• Serves as the college access and success expert for programming developed for individual work plans.

• Supports the Project Director in working with the project advisory committee of stakeholders and practitioners who will help provide insight for creating relevant programming.

• Builds and maintains positive and professional relationships with team members, including Extension specialists, county Extension agents, school personnel, students and families.

• Collaborates with external partners and leverages additional resources and expertise for building collective impact.

• Supports the County Extension Agent by extending subject matter expertise and providing training.

• Coordinates the work plan, including regular monitoring of project calendar to ensure timely task completion.

• Develops and fosters positive working relationships with the school districts, higher education administrators and personnel involved in the project.

• Provides daily support for all project team members.

• Monitors strict program compliance with administrative policies and procedures, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

Professional Development Support and Training: 

• Provides professional development to school districts, county agents, and other project stakeholders.

• Collaborates with project team members to train and support AgriLife Extension Agents in engaging with, and driving local implementation of college access workplan.

• Engages in personal professional development to stay current about trends and techniques in the college access and success field

Evaluation and Reporting: 

• Collaborates with data specialist to support the set of performance targets, measurable impacts and critical milestones that will define success.

• Monitors data and uses it to inform programming and design relevant activities.

• Provides timely reports of project activities based upon reporting timeline and upon request.

• Shares regular progress of project and impact reports with project team and stakeholders.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in a related field.

• Five years of related experience.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Four years of relevant professional experience.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of word processing, database, presentation and spreadsheet applications.

• Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.

• Excellent written and verbal communication, analytical, interpersonal and organizational skills.

Other Requirements:

• Travel is required to rural regions in Texas.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.