TRIO Caseworker
Harold Washington College

TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) is a grant-funded academic support program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education. Harold Washington College TRIO SSS is funded to support 160 students each academic year. HWC TRIO SSS staff will support you as you achieve your academic goals, including remaining in good academic standing, graduating, and transferring to a four-year college or university. We are currently seeking a part-time Caseworker. This role will be responsible for assessing student needs, developing intervention plans and monitoring the success of these plans for individual students and Upward Bound cohort groups. This position will interview, evaluate, and enroll students into the TRIO Upward Bound program. If you are interested in working in a fast-paced environment and enjoy working with students, consider joining our team.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Assists with identifying and recruiting Upward Bound participants. Conducts intake interviews to evaluate students’ vocational or educational potential and general eligibility for the program in accordance with grantor’s guidelines.
2. Utilizes test data and relevant information to design an IESP with each student participant.
3. Meets regularly with Upward Bound participants and makes revisions to the IESP as needed.
4. Obtains background information on potential students for the purpose of providing referrals to the appropriate community agencies. Coordinates services needed by Upward Bound participants.
5. Provides academic, career and personal counseling to Upward Bound participants.
6. Monitors and documents student progress. Maintains case files for each student.
7. Assists in designing activities, college visits, partner meetings and orientations for school personnel.
8. Assists program participants with completion of academic forms and applications.
9. Maintains record keeping for preparation of progress reports. Retains a compilation of statistics, written reports and correspondence within student files. Prepares monthly mandatory reports for management review. Assists with statistical data to ensure program accountability.
10. Attends conferences, workshops and training opportunities as needed to better serve participants.
11. Attends monthly staff meetings and may serve as liaison to community and state agencies for the purpose of receiving appropriate students' services and maintaining good public relations.
12. Disseminates information and answers questions in regard to the Upward Bound program.
13. Adheres to CCC Customer Service Excellence standards.
14. Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Bachelor’s degree in education, Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, or a related area required. A minimum of three year’s previous work experience in providing educational services and assessment/advising in a public or private setting serving multi-cultural populations; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. Master’s degree preferred.
2. Knowledge of academic testing, advising, and college admissions.
3. Demonstrated expertise in academic and career guidance.
4. Working knowledge of federal and state student financial aid programs.
5. Experience in a TRIO program is highly preferred.
6. Must be self-directed, innovative and able to assess current operations in an effort to develop practical action programs to improve the functioning of the department.
7. Must maintain an effective liaison among agencies, staff, administrators and the community to promote overall responsiveness to the program.
8. Excellent verbal and written skills required with the ability to communicate persuasively with tact and diplomacy.

We are an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Thank you for your interest in City Colleges of Chicago.

Harold Washington College, located at 30 East Lake Street in Chicago's Loop, is a student-centered institution that empowers all members of its community through accessible and affordable academic advancement, career development and personal enrichment. At HWC, employees contribute to the success of our students while enjoying competitive compensation and outstanding benefits packages. Build your future at City Colleges of Chicago and ensure more students complete their curricula - college-ready, career-ready and prepared to pursue their life’s goals. This is an exciting time in the history of City Colleges of Chicago (CCC), District 508, the largest community college system in Illinois and one of the largest in the nation.