Work for Indiana

Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.

About the Commission for Higher Education: 
Created in 1971, the Indiana Commission for Higher Education (CHE, Commission) is the State's higher education coordinating agency, driven to improve economic and social mobility for fellow Hoosiers through postsecondary education and training, and is a part of Governor Mike Braun's Office of Education. The Commission also administers Indiana’s state financial aid programs, including 21st Century Scholars, which celebrates 35 years in 2025. More information can be found at che.in.gov.

Role Overview: 

The Outreach Coordinator - Northwest Region serves as a regionally based professional charged with facilitating outreach, engagement, and support for programs, policies, and partnerships designed to increase the college-going rate for Hoosier K-12 students and their families. This position is tasked with regionally implementing strategy and direction provided by the Director of K-12 Outreach and Postsecondary Transitions under the Senior Associate Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer. Daily efforts will focus on strengthening the utilization of Indiana's 21st Century Scholars Award and Frank O'Bannon Grant, increasing FAFSA filing, and promoting the Learn More Indiana brand and suite of resources. This position must interact effectively with a variety of internal and external stakeholders. Internally, the position will most interact with the Postsecondary Transitions and Marketing and Communications teams. In addition to engaging with students, families, and the media, the position will engage in mutually beneficial external partnerships in alignment with the Commission's HOPE Agenda: Hoosier Opportunities & Possibilities through Education. 

Salary Statement: 

This position starts at an annual salary of $45,000.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

INCREASING THE COLLEGE-GOING RATE

+ Coordinate the effective delivery of all outreach and engagement support services on behalf of the Commission in the designated region, including but not limited to: recruitment/awareness efforts, college and career preparation programming, state financial aid requirements and tracking and related data management, direct assistance for students and families, and documentation of provided services and related activities.

+ Assist with the implementation of automatic enrollment for the 21st Century Scholars Program.

+ Strengthen the utilization of the 21st Century Scholars program and Frank O'Bannon Grant through increased ScholarTrack account creations, Scholar Success Program completions, and FAFSA filing.

COMMUNICATING THE VALUE OF HIGHER EDUCATION

+ Serve as Commission's outreach liaison to regionally-based education, non-profit, employer, government, and philanthropy partners.

+ Assist in the development, coordination and statewide distribution of print, online, and in-person resources promoting college and career planning, college applications, FAFSA filing, scholarship applications, college enrollment, degree completion, and graduate retention.

+ Deliver a variety of outreach and engagement efforts for Indiana students on behalf of the Commission via staff, presentations, programs, events, trainings and direct support.

+  Utilize data from ScholarTrack, the Indiana Department of Education, and postsecondary institutions to prepare middle school and high school students for participation in the Commission's Pre-Admissions, Resident Admissions, and Enrollment Ready initiatives.

CONSTITUENT DEVELOPMENT & ENGAGEMENT

+ Develop and maintain mutually beneficial relationships with internal and external constituencies.

+ Manage collaborative partnerships with regional- and local-level schools/districts, youth-serving organizations, campuses, businesses, and other community organizations to provide support services for students and families.

+ Engage external partners in the development and delivery of Scholar Success Program activities and services for all students in collaboration with local school corporations.

TRAINING, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, & SUPPORT

+ Maintain thorough knowledge of all Commission-related programs, materials, and references, including all related laws, rules, and regulations.

+ Design and implements relevant training and technical assistance presentations for K-12 school, campus, and community partners and other key stakeholders.

+ Facilitate increased awareness, understanding, and consistent implementation of state policies that impact the success of 21st Century Scholars and diverse student populations.

Job Requirements:

+ Knowledge and skills typically acquired through a bachelor's degree plus comparable work experience in education, community outreach, case management, partnership development, public speaking, college access and success programming, or related field.

+ Strong written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking skills, listening and information processing skills, and synthesizing skills. Fluency in Spanish preferred.

+ Strong organizational, time management, and documentation skills.

+ Strong computer literacy, including the Microsoft suite, related office productivity software, and databases.

+ A detail-oriented self-starter who can be given a need or objective, break it down into executable pieces, identify questions that need to be asked, gather priorities and requirements, set and manage milestones, and then execute effectively.

+ Ability to build relationships and collaborate effectively with multiple entities and agencies (federal, state, and local) to service the needs of program constituents.

+ Ability to work as part of a collaborative team, manage multiple projects/priorities simultaneously, and complete work in a decentralized, high-profile work environment.

+ Required to travel the designated region daily, which requires a valid driver's license and access to a personal vehicle.

Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:

The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes: 

• Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
• Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
• Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
• Deferred compensation 457(b) account (similar to 401(k) plan) with employer match
• Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
• A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:
  • 150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers
  • Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave
• Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
• 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Group life insurance
• Referral Bonus program
• Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
• Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Free Parking for most positions
• Free LinkedIn Learning access

   

Equal Employment Opportunity:

The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at [email protected].