Higher Education Assistance Program Coordinator

The Higher Education Assistance Program Coordinator will be responsible for administering the Education Division’s Higher Education Assistance Program (HEAP), which provides coordination of services to include educational information, referrals, vocational guidance, retention services and transitional services to students and families to promote educational success and school completion for students in Higher Education institutions. The Coordinator collaborates with educational institutions, governmental organizations, families and students in an effort to support students in obtaining a formal education, coordinates educational, and community programs to integrate and develop culturally connected programs designed to promote self-determination and enhance the educational needs of the Pascua Yaqui community. The incumbent will focus on offering Yaqui students opportunities to engage in activities which will include creating, developing, learning and establishing new understandings about themselves, their history, their culture, identity and their future along with navigating through education processes, systems and programs.

• Coordinate staff, prioritize and assign work; conduct performance evaluations; ensure staff are trained and maintain a healthy and safe working environment; and making hiring, termination, and disciplinary recommendations.
• Develop and ensure adherence to current policies and procedures relevant to program content and program objectives.
• Coordinate outreach services to the community for the recruitment and retention of target students; provide general scholarship and academic advisement to program clients and interested community members
• Review a variety of student forms, documents, applications, and records, ensure accuracy and completeness, and maintain and implement an electronic student tracking system.
• Establish and maintain partnerships with high school/higher education personnel, area agencies, and businesses.
• Ensure that program staff engage students who are “at-risk” for probation or suspension in monthly
• Serve as a college resource for high school students by providing information on higher education and programs that are available.
• Assist in coordinating office activities with those of other departments and outside agencies/organizations including other colleges, universities, schools, and departments to improve educational opportunities for PYT tribal members
• Collect data from representatives, counselors, and students on program effectiveness; recommend improvements and modifications.
• Design and revise existing materials and activities used for recruitment and outreach.
• Systemically and consistently adhere to and enforce the policies and procedures of the Tribe and the Education division.
• Arrange and conduct workshops orientations, presentations, and tours.
• Provide reports on operations and activities to the Education Director and oversight committee as required.
• Perform other duties of a similar nature or level as requested by supervisor or director.
  
  

Knowledge of:

• Management and coordination principles;
• Budgetary principles;
• Motivational interviewing techniques;
• Scholarship and grant sources and writing;
• Pertinent federal, state, college, and local policies, procedures, laws, codes and regulations pertaining to financial aid;
• Admissions, assessments, and academic policies and procedures of institutions of higher learning;
• Record keeping;
• Strategic Planning and organizing events, workshops and community project-based activities;
• Local, state and federal programs and resources available to Yaqui students and families;
• Educational requirements, policies and procedures;
• Collect data regarding program and student evaluations and reporting techniques;
• Designing and implementing retention strategies and activities for students in education;
• Long-Term and Short-term program planning;
• Yaqui culture, customs, resources and traditions and/or a willingness to learn.
  
  

Skills And Abilities

• Uphold a high ethical work standard;
• Coordinate and evaluate employees;
• Manage and execute multiple tasks;
• Exercise judgment and discretion;
• Adhere to a chain of command;
• Prioritize and assign work.
• Develop and present a variety of educational topics.
• Maintain confidential files and records;
• Work independently.
• Develop and prepare a variety of correspondence, reports, articles, documents and forms.
• Budget management.
• Write reports and evaluations.
• Collect, interpret and evaluate narrative and statistical data.
• Handle constructive feedback positively and proactively.
• Operate a variety of office equipment, including a computer and related software applications.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with co-workers, supervisor, management, Council members, and the public. Have ability to sufficiently exchange or convey information and receive verbal and written work instructions.
  
  

Bachelor’s Degree, four (4) years of work experience in a related field, one (1) or more years’ experience as a coordinator or manager, experience working with Native American students

AND

Bachelor’s Degree in Education or Higher Education is preferred.

Special Requirements

• Must be proficient in Microsoft Office products.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Arizona Driver’s License.
• This position will require the incumbent to work non-traditional hours, nights, and weekends.
• Must have a current Level 1 Arizona Clearance Card. Failure to maintain a current Level 1 Clearance Card will result in termination.