Job Description

Title: Scholarship and Student Success Program Coordinator

State Role Title: Education Support Spec III

Hiring Range: $53,000.00 - $60,000.00

Pay Band: 4

Agency: State Council of Higher Educ

Location: State Council of Higher Educ

Agency Website: https://www.schev.edu/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) invites applications for the position of Scholarship and Student Success Program Coordinator. This position supports the implementation of the U.S. Department of Education's Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) Virginia grant. GEAR UP is a federal initiative designed to increase college and career readiness, access, and persistence for students in underserved communities and serves approximately 5,000 students annually across 12 school divisions throughout the Commonwealth.

This position is primarily responsible for supporting scholarship outreach, administration, and student success initiatives that promote postsecondary enrollment and persistence. The Scholarship and Student Success Program Coordinator primarily serves students at Petersburg High School, Hopewell High School, and Brunswick High School (designated GEAR UP Priority High Schools) and is expected to travel regularly to these schools to provide advising, student support, and college access programming. The coordinator leads outreach efforts to students and families to increase awareness of GEAR UP scholarship opportunities, eligibility requirements, and application processes, and provides ongoing support to ensure students successfully navigate postsecondary transitions.

In addition, the coordinator supports student success programming designed to strengthen college persistence, including first-year student engagement efforts, postsecondary transition support, and collaboration with postsecondary partners. The role also assists with tracking scholarship-related documentation, supporting compliance requirements, and ensuring accurate and timely processing of program records.

The coordinator works closely with internal SCHEV staff, school and division partners, and institutions of higher education to strengthen pathways to postsecondary success and ensure students are supported from application through early college completion. This role requires strong communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, student-centered environment.

Core responsibilities include:
• Serve as a primary point of contact for scholarship outreach, advising, and student support services across assigned schools and partners.
• Provide guidance and technical assistance to support scholarship administration, student eligibility verification, and postsecondary transition processes.
• Coordinate and support student engagement activities, including advising sessions and other college access programming.
• Build and maintain relationships with school staff, college access partners, and stakeholders to strengthen student support systems.
• Support training and capacity-building efforts for staff and partners on scholarship processes, systems, and implementation procedures.
• Provide direct student support, advising, and postsecondary transition services at Petersburg High School, Hopewell High School, and Brunswick High School (GEAR UP Priority High Schools), including regular travel to assigned school sites.
• Assist with statewide initiatives, communications, events, and programming designed to increase college access and success.
• Maintain accurate records, reporting, and data tracking to support program compliance and continuous improvement.
• Represent GEAR UP Virginia at regional and statewide meetings, trainings, and events, and share effective practices with other partners.

This position requires a strong commitment to direct student service, the ability to build and maintain partnerships, and strong organizational and project management skills. The Scholarship and Student Success Program Coordinator reports to the GUV Assistant Director and works full-time for 12 months each year. Typical work hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with options for telework and alternate work schedules available. This position is a full-time restricted classified position, which is grant funded through 2028 and contingent upon funding.

Minimum Qualifications

• Demonstrated knowledge of college admissions, recruitment, outreach and financial aid processes and the strategies used to improve graduation and postsecondary enrollment rates.
• Demonstrated understanding of public education in Virginia including but not limited to graduation requirements, SOLs and standardized tests, CTE credits, dual enrollment, advanced placement, and regional resources and culture.
• Knowledge of federal grants program operations and regulations.
• Demonstrated ability to adapt quickly and work in a fast-paced, deadline and purpose driven environment.
• Demonstrated ability to manage budgets and meet program objectives/goals.
• Strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently/remotely, develop a work plan, set priorities, and meet deadlines and goals.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously with attention to detail accompanied by a high level of creativity.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse groups and populations.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with others to accomplish goals and to establish and maintain effective working relationships remotely.

• Valid driver's license required; must have reliable transportation and possess ability to travel and drive extensively using personal vehicle; frequent day travel and occasional overnight travel required.

• Demonstrated ability to direct and train others.
• Demonstrated ability to use technology in reporting information, communicating with others and engaging participants.
• Strong proficiency in the use of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and aptitude to learn new systems/technology.

Additional Considerations

• Considerable knowledge of federal grant program operations and regulations.
• A work history demonstrating experience working in a college access program/organization or in higher education desired.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia does not accept “See Resume” as a response to any question on the application. The information on the application is the primary source used for screening the position. Failure to complete any section of the application may disqualify the applicant from further consideration. Applications should include a complete work history, including periods of unemployment, if applicable.
• Apply for this position at https://www.jobs.virginia.gov/home.
• Complete the State application (“See Resume” is NOT an acceptable response to any question on the application.)
• Submit a Cover Letter describing how you meet the qualifications and why you are a good match for the position.

INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

Equal Opportunity Employer State applications will only be accepted as submitted online by 11:55 pm on the closing date through the Commonwealth of Virginia’s New Recruitment Management System. PageUp provides confirmation of receipt when your application is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your PageUp account to check the status of your application for this position. You will be provided with confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Mailed, emailed, faxed, or hand-delivered applications and/or résumés will not be accepted. The decision to interview an applicant is based solely on the information received for this position from the electronic application and/or resume.

Minorities, Individuals with disabilities, Veterans, AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other National Service Alumni are encouraged to apply. Per the Americans with Disabilities Act, reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during the application and/or interview processes. For assistance, contact recruitment@dars.virginia.gov.

State employees who have been affected by DHRM Policy 1.3 Layoff and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card) must submit the card BEFORE the closing date for this position. The card may be scanned and attached to the application or faxed to (804) 371-7401. Please include your name and the position number on the fax cover sheet.

Contact Information

Name: Taris Harmon

Phone: 804-292-6482

Email: taris.harmon@dhrm.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.