TRIO Retention Specialist

TRIO Retention Specialist Apply Salary $54,000.00 - $58,000.00 Annually Location Pueblo, CO Job Type Full Time Department Colorado State University Pueblo Opening Date 12/18/2025 FLSA Status Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation. This full-time administrative professional position will be responsible for direct academic, retention, and other support services to Colorado State University Pueblo's TRIO Student Support Services program participants. This position reports directly to the Director of TRIO Student Support Services (SSS). This position is currently funded by the TRIO SSS grant until August 31st, 2030. Continuation of the position after this date is contingent on grant renewal from the Department of Education and the successful meeting of grant objectives. Primary duties include meeting regularly with program participants to provide a range of academic and other program services to participants. Must be able to build rapport and strong relationships with program participants. Works with the Director to recruit, interview, evaluate, and select students for the program. Coordinates program screening and selection of incoming participants. Monitors student progress, needs assessment, and goal setting. Provides academic, career, financial aid, financial literacy, and graduate school counseling to students enrolled in the program. Maintain participant records and communicate regularly with faculty, key partners, etc. Develop participant Academic Action Plans to ensure completion of identified programs. Provides workshops seminars and needs assessments for program participants. Plans and assists in the organizing of educational and cultural events for program participants. Coordinates transfer visits to Graduate School Programs. Conduct individualized follow-up sessions to provide support to students in achieving their academic goals as well as their integration into campus life. Track students academic progress and advise them of resources available when not meeting academic goals. Collects both quantitative and qualitative data related to student progress. Generates reports based on collected data and provides analyses of the data in relation to program development and student success. Reports results of evaluations and identify trends or areas of concern. Works with campus advising departments to remain current in advising. Assembles informed referrals for participants for tutoring, study skills workshops, study groups, university services, or other community agencies and organizations. Attends local, state, and national workshops and/or conferences. Assists with Discover Day and Orientation. Ancillary duties include participating in professional organizations (ie: TAP (TRIO Alliance of Pueblo), APIRE (Association of Special Programs in Region Eight)). Serve on campus committees. Works occasional evenings or weekend events. Minimum qualifications include a Master's degree in counseling, education, social work, or related field; or a combination of a Master's degree in another field with work experience with disadvantaged students. Valid unrestricted driver's license. Excellent written communication skills. Excellent interpersonal skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, including: Word, Access, Excel, and PowerPoint. Two years of experience in an SSS project or similar college success program. Experience in a position requiring sensitivity to working with college low-income, first-generation students, students with disabilities, or students who are otherwise academically under-prepared for a college setting. Preferred qualifications include familiarity with peer coaching practices. Knowledge of developing educational objectives and assessment of student needs, performance, and outcomes. Bilingual in Spanish and English. Two years of professional experience related to college academic advising or financial aid. Experience providing professional development training. All interested candidates must apply through the online application system. No other format of application materials will be accepted. Applicants must attach the following documents, in order to be considered for this position: a letter of intent (cover letter) describing the means in which you meet the qualifications for this position; a current resume or CV; unofficial or official transcripts showing required degree conferred; three professional references, either within the application or as an attachment (please note: personal references do not count towards this requirement). Applications submitted without the required attachments/information above will be considered incomplete and will not move forward in the selection process. Once submitted, applicants will not be able to make changes or add information to their application packet, with the exception of their personal contact and demographic information. Early submission of application materials is encouraged. Applications received by 8:00 AM (MST) on January 5th, 2026, will receive full consideration. Screening of applications will begin only after this deadline is met, and will continue until the position is filled. Colorado State University Pueblo is a comprehensive state university with an enrollment of 4,000 students. CSU Pueblo provides relevant professional coursework and superior instruction with a small student-to-faculty ratio for an ever-changing global economy. Students can choose from 38 undergraduate programs with 70 fields of study in the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics; the Hasan School of Business, the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences; and the College of Health, Education, and Nursing; and 15 graduate programs. CSU Pueblo is dedicated to interdisciplinary learning and entrepreneurship that elevates our people and our community, creates educational opportunities, fosters unique collaborations, and supports inclusion, access, and affordability as a gateway to the world. CSU Pueblo is equally committed to serving the diverse population of the region; this emphasis is reflected in the demographic characteristics of the student body. Because more than 25 percent of our students are Hispanic, the Federal Government has designated CSU Pueblo a Hispanic Serving Institution. Besides reflecting our commitment to serve this critically important and rapidly growing segment of the student population, that designation also allows the University to compete for certain federal grant funds to support its ability to better serve all students. Among its unique features, CSU Pueblo is one of seven schools in the nation to offer a degree in mechatronics, which combines electrical and mechanical engineering. The Hasan School of Business ranks among the top 15 percent of all business schools internationally with graduate and undergraduate programs in business administration accredited by the AACSB International Board of Directors. The College of STEM houses an undergraduate engineering program that was ranked in the nation's top 100 by U.S. News and World Report . CSU Pueblo has an ever-changing campus landscape that features a newly renovated Library, a new general academic classroom building, and a newly renovated and expanded student center. At CSU Pueblo, Student Life offerings have increased significantly with the transition of the campus from a commuter environment to a more traditional collegiate experience. Competing at the NCAA Division II level, CSU Pueblo is a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference and offers 22 varsity intercollegiate sports and also has active intramural and club sports teams that allow students to get involved in campus life. Colorado State University Pueblo offers a comprehensive benefits package including: medical and prescription insurance; dental insurance; vision insurance; flexible benefit plan; basic term life insurance; voluntary term life and AD&D insurance; long-term disability insurance; employee assistance program; travel accident insurance; voluntary critical illness and accident insurance; annual and sick leave; retirement plans; employee and dependent tuition discounts; state employee discounts via BenefitHub. Other incentives include various on-campus event, recreation, and meal discounts. The city of Pueblo is a historically and culturally rich, diverse city of more than 100,000, located in the southern part of the state along the Arkansas River near the Wet Mountains and the majestic Sangre de Cristo range. Pueblo enjoys ideal year-round climate with four distinct mild seasons, crisp mountain air and 300+ days of sunshine per year. Pueblo attracts outdoor enthusiasts to a full slate of summer and winter recreational activities, encompassing water sports at Lake Pueblo, biking or running along Pueblo's beautiful river trail system, golfing, tennis, hiking or skiing in the mountains to the west. The region is heavily agricultural, with large and small-scale farming and ranching, and a diverse mix of service, manufacturing, and technology industries.