1233 Academic Specialist, TRIO-West Plains

POSITION IDENTIFICATION

TITLE Academic Specialist, TRIO-West Plains

CLASSIFICATION NUMBER 1233

GRADE 41

CLASSIFICATION Exempt

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR Coordinator, TRIO Student Support Services, West Plains

MAJOR ADMINISTRATOR Dean of Academic Affairs, West Plains

GENERAL FUNCTION

The Academic Specialist TRIO, West Plains assists program participants (low income, first generation, and/or disabled) to succeed in college by helping them determine appropriate academic goals and select academic schedules appropriate for their stated academic goals. The Academic Specialist TRIO, West Plains guides pre-majors in the selection of academic majors and directs students to resources within the University that provide assistance in identifying academic majors and career choices, as appropriate. Additionally, the Academic Specialist TRIO, West Plains coordinates specific activities within the TRIO – Student Support Services Program relating to academic success, transfer planning, financial literacy, disabled student issues, student leadership, tutoring, and study skills.

MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Education: A Bachelor’s degree is required.

Experience: At least six months of academic advising experience or six months of college, university, or social services employment experience directly related to the job responsibilities of this position is required. Student Services or teaching experience is preferred. TRIO experience is preferred.

Skills: Excellent presentation and written communication skills, interpersonal skills, organizational, and management skills are required. A working knowledge of various computer applications is required. Experience with database applications is preferred.

Other: A valid Missouri driver’s license is required. The scope of the position occasionally requires work in the evenings and on weekends. The position appointment is dependent on the renewal of the TRIO grant.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Assists program participants in establishing appropriate academic and personal goals through intrusive academic advising and counseling and encourages the development of program participant study skills through the coordination and/or presentation of study skills workshops and individual study skills assistance.

2. Provides appropriate and positive academic skills and refreshment for program participants by developing, creating, and organizing presenters of workshops.

3. Provides an essential student service of academic advisement by being knowledgeable of academic policies and procedures of Missouri State University, assisting program participants in the development of academic schedules appropriate for their stated educational goals, guiding program participants in decision-making and learning how to accept responsibility for their decisions, assisting program participants seeking academic information, assisting pre-majors in the selection of academic majors, and directing program participants to resources within the University that provide assistance in making career and academic major choices.

4. Coordinates and runs the TRIO Student Support Services Tutoring Program by processing (skill-matching, recruitment and student clearance) and appointing tutor requests, recruiting and providing orientation training for tutors, and recording and maintaining tutor files and records.

5. Facilitates personal and academic development of program participants by encouraging involvement in cultural and leadership activities both on and off campus, referring participants to appropriate resources both on campus and in the community, and motivating program participants to apply to four-year institutions in their chosen field of study.

6. Ensures the effectiveness of the advising process by maintaining both paper and electronic database advisee files for all assigned advisees, regularly updating advisee academic reports and counseling notes, and validating the information contained in the advisee files with the student database.

7. Maintains and updates the program website.

8. Facilitates the Scholarship Program and ensures the use of the scholarship materials by assisting students with their scholarship searches and preparation.

9. Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, and attending training and/or courses required by the supervisor.

10. Contributes to the overall success of the program and the university by performing all other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

SUPERVISION

The Academic Specialist TRIO, West Plains is supervised by the Coordinator of TRIO Student Support Services, West Plains and may supervise student employees.

OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES

REVISED JANUARY 2025

JOB FAMILY 4

Factor 1: Professional Knowledge, Skill, and Technical Mastery

Level 1.0 - 500 Points: Knowledge of principles, processes, methods, and procedures associated with a limited range of healthcare, technical, scientific, administrative support, communications, or social science program objectives or common problems. Knowledge permits the employee to complete routine medical and healthcare procedures, common administrative support tasks, operate basic equipment and instruments, carry out a variety of interrelated tasks and recurring assignments, assist individuals, answer common questions, and/or elicit information from a variety of sources. Professional knowledge, skill, and technical mastery at this level are typically acquired through a combination of formal education and/or training and experience beyond a high school diploma.

Factor 2: Supervisory Responsibility

Level 1.0 - 50 Points: Typically, little, if any, supervision of others is required. The job may require irregular but occasional responsibility to direct the work of student workers and/or temporary or part-time workers. The nature of supervision is largely confined to assigning tasks to others and does not include a full range of supervisory responsibilities. The amount of time spent on directing the work of others is normally a small portion of total work time.

Factor 3: Interactions with Others

Level 3.0 - 250 Points: The purpose of interactions is to advise or counsel others to solve recurring and structured problems, and/or to plan or coordinate work efforts with other employees who are working toward common goals in situations where relationships are generally cooperative. Interactions are moderately structured and routine and may involve employees in different functions, students, and/or the general public. These types of interactions require normal interpersonal skills.

Factor 4: Job Controls and Guidelines

Level 2.0 - 250 Points: The employee carries out a group of procedures using the general methods and desired results indicated by the supervisor. Typically, standard operating procedures, handbooks, and/or reference manuals exist for most procedures, but the employee must select from the most appropriate of several guidelines and make minor adjustments to methods. Unforeseen situations are normally referred to others for resolution. Assignments are related in function and objective, but processes, procedures, or software varies from one assignment to another. Based on the assignment, the employee uses diverse, but conventional, methods, techniques, or approaches. Employees in jobs at this level may perform work that is moderately complex, but normally performed within a fairly narrow and specific functional area.

Factor 5: Managerial Responsibility

Level 2.0 - 400 Points: Work involves services including collecting, processing, and disseminating information and providing advice to others. Work activities may be complex and likely affect the accuracy, reliability, or acceptability of further processes or services to the extent that others rely on the advice given in order to make decisions. Work activities typically affect the efficiency of the department but have relatively minor effects on operations within the cost center. Individuals in jobs at this level are often responsible for actively documenting, monitoring, and controlling expenditures. Incumbents may recommend minor expenditures, but have no substantive authority over budgets.