Fort Lewis College

Position Summary:

The TRIO Talent Search Academic Advisor works with eligible middle and high school students in Cortez and Mancos schools as outlined in the TRIO Talent Search grant. This position requires day travel to the schools three to four days per week as well as weekly work on the Fort Lewis College campus. Advisors assist students with postsecondary school admissions, financial aid and scholarship applications, academic planning, and career and leadership development, so that they have the opportunity and knowledge to continue their education beyond high school.

Job Description:

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Adheres to all conditions presented in the Talent Search grant proposal.
• Plans and implements innovative academic services for our students, which requires curriculum development ensuring access to postsecondary opportunities for low income and potential first-generation students.
• Builds positive relationships between the program and students, families, PSE institutions, target schools and community partners.
• Plans and maintains weekly visitations to schools.
• Responsible for collection, organization, and monitoring of individual student contacts and reports required for Talent Search Annual Performance Report and other related program guidelines.
• Monitors student progress and academic need.
• Recruits eligible student applicants at target schools and through community organizations.
• Plans and leads day and overnight program field trips.
• Assists in the planning and implementation of parent meetings and related student/parent events
• Responsible for articles for the newsletter and other program communications
• Attends state, regional, and national conferences as needed/available
• Demonstrates a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and student success, as well as working with broadly diverse communities
• Maintains knowledge and awareness of digital accessibility including the American with Disabilities Act and Section 508.
• Produces and remediates digitally accessible materials in accordance with FLC standards.
• Performs other duties as assigned

Required Education, Specialized Skills and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Reliable personal transportation; ability to travel to target schools and/or Fort Lewis College up to five days a week; work some evenings, and participate in overnight student college field trips
• Demonstrated commitment to and sensitivity for addressing the needs of economically and educationally disadvantaged youth and adults
• A demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and student success, as well as working with broadly diverse communities
• Minimum one year of experience advising students in academics, career exploration, personal development, leadership, financial aid, and/or college/ vocational school admissions
• Minimum one year of experience working with secondary (grades 6-12) students in a volunteer or professional capacity
• Demonstrated experience providing presentations and/or workshops on financial aid, college admissions, leadership and career development, or related topics
• Organizational skills to plan educational trips and other events for students and families
• Demonstrated experience working and/or collaborating with secondary and post-secondary schools, community-based programs, or service-learning programs (teaching, coaching, counseling, outdoor education. etc.)
• Excellent writing and communication skills
• Strong technology skills including working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite, and Zoom
• Position is subject to a background check

Preferred Education, Specialized Skills and Experience:

• Experience with TRIO or other educational opportunity programs as a participant or employee.
• Fluency in Spanish and/or Indigenous language(s) of the Four Corners Region
• Experience planning and leading field trips with secondary students.
• Familiarity with Fort Lewis College and/or Four Corners area.

Reports To / Supervisory Responsibility:

Who does the employee report to? TRIO Talent Search Director

Who will report to the employee? NA

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that an employee can expect while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Moderate to high levels of noise (i.e. business office with computers, phone, and printers, light traffic).
• Ability to work in a confined area.
• Ability to sit at a computer terminal for an extended period of time.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment while serving students in individual and group settings throughout the day.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to, stand, sit; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard reach, stoop kneel to install computer equipment
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision requirements due to computer work
• Light to moderate lifting is required
• Ability to travel long distances in a van with students required

Travel:

• Regular travel to Cortez and Mancos schools three-four times per week
• Regular travel to the Fort Lewis College campus 1 day per week while school is in session

FLSA Status/ Position Type/Expected Hours of Work/ and Salary Range:

• Non-Exempt
• 35 hours per week
• The position is a temporary (due to grant funding), at will, staff position
• Typical work hours: 8:00AM-6:00PM Monday-Thursday with adjustments for occasional nighttime and weekend events. The schools are closed on Fridays.
• Funding currently secured through August 2026; the position will be available beyond then upon renewed grant funding

Compensation

The hourly rate for this position is $21.58 /hour, plus a comprehensive benefits package.

Application Process

A complete application packet includes:

• Cover letter addressing interest and qualifications for the position
• Resume
• Names and contact information for three current, professional references

Applicant materials received by 11:59 PM on August 10, 2025, will receive full consideration.

The successful candidate will be required to submit original, official college transcripts, and pass a background check.

About Fort Lewis College:

On a sage-brushed mesa overlooking downtown Durango and the La Plata Mountains, Fort Lewis College is Southwest Colorado’s premier public undergraduate research institution. With more than half of the 3,300 students identifying as people of color, FLC’s academic programming and campus life thrive on nurturing safe, diverse spaces for intellectual exploration and helping people achieve their career goals. A Native American-serving, Non-Tribal Institution, FLC is committed to promoting economic development in neighboring tribal communities and connecting students with the education they need to be the change in the world they want to see. Degree programs span the arts, business, education, health sciences, humanities, and social and natural sciences. Coursework builds on the natural, cultural, and historical resources found around the Four Corners region. Students work closely with faculty on research projects with real-world implications. Like the mountain town it resides in, FLC promotes a culture of work-life balance for students, faculty, and staff. Skyhawks enjoy unparalleled access to a healthy outdoor lifestyle thanks to 300 days of sunshine a year and more than 300 miles of hiking and biking trails in and around Durango

Notice to Prospective Employees:

The Fort Lewis College is required by the Clery Act of 1990 to notify prospective employees, current employees, students and applicants where to access our Campus Security Report. The report is updated and published annually in accordance with the Higher Education Amendments of 1998, Federal Student Right-to-Know, the Federal Drug-free Schools and Campuses Act of 1989. This report contains information about:

• Fort Lewis College's alcohol and other drug policy
• Sexual assault policy
• Campus security policies
• Campus/community resources
• The Colorado Riot Offense Statute restriction on enrollment
• Where to find registered sex offender information
• Crime statistics for the previous three calendar years
• Reporting crimes

The Campus Security Report can be accessed in two ways:

By going to the internet website at: www.fortlewis.edu/AnnualSecurityReport Fort Lewis College Student Affairs Office will also provide a paper copy of the annual security report upon request. You can reach them at (970) 247-7331.

Equal Opportunity

Fort Lewis College does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, color, religion, national origin, sex*, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, family or domestic status, political beliefs, veteran status, pregnancy, or genetic information. Accordingly, equal opportunity for employment shall be extended to all persons. The College shall promote equal opportunity, equal treatment, and affirmative action efforts to increase the diversity of students, faculty, and staff. The College is dedicated to building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty and staff committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment. To file a report, get resources, read policies, or make an appointment, See www.fortlewis.edu/CARE.

Discrimination Questions?

Office of Compliance and Community Standards

David Pirrone, Director of Compliance

165 Education Business Hall

1000 Rim Drive

Durango, Colorado 81301

(970) 247-7182 djpirrone@fortlewis.edu

Questions about Title IX sex discrimination?

Office of the Title IX Coordinator

Madeleine Gillman, Assistant Director of Compliance and Title IX Coordinator

230 Skyhawk Station

1000 Rim Drive

Durango, Colorado 81301

(970) 247-7049 mgillman@fortlewis.edu

Information about Fort Lewis College’s alcohol and drug policy, sexual assault policy, campus security policies, campus crime statistics, fire safety procedures and fire statistics, and campus/community resources can be found in the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. Hard copies are available upon request.

• Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Part 106 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, including in admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and CFR 106 to Fort Lewis College may be directed to FLC's Title IX Coordinator and/or to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights of the Department of Education.

ADAA Accommodations

Any person with a disability as defined by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) may be provided a reasonable accommodation upon request to enable the person to complete an employment assessment. To request an accommodation, please contact Kristin Polens by phone 970-247-7459 or email kpolens@fortlewis.edu at least five business days before the assessment date to allow us to evaluate your request and prepare for the accommodation. You may be asked to provide additional information, including medical documentation, regarding functional limitations and type of accommodation needed. Please ensure that you have this information available well in advance of the assessment date.

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