OFFICIAL JOB TITLE: Upward Bound Academic Advisor

DIVISION: Academic Affairs

DEPARTMENT: Upward Bound

BARGAINING UNIT STATUS: ESU Cat. 12

EEO STATUS: 3.1

JOB CODE: 200

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

REPORTS TO: Director of Upward Bound.

SUPERVISES: None.

SUMMARY PURPOSE OF POSITION: Recruits, guides, and advises students; monitors student progress; and facilitates student development individual and group activities. Performs a variety of tasks related to providing high school students encouragement to complete high school and promoting post-secondary education to potential first generation college graduates.

EXAMPLES OF PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide individual and group advisement for students and document such services.
• Conduct and document parental conferences and home visits as necessary.
• Advocate for students, when appropriate, with target schools and community agencies.
• Monitor academic progress student development of Upward Bound participants.
• Provide academic advisement to students and other issues related to academic success.
• Provide guidance to students in ascertaining and selecting appropriate high school courses needed to prepare the student for high school graduation and post-secondary education.
• Participate in the assessment of individual student academic support needs and arrange for the delivery of such services.
• Participate in the assessment of non-academic support needs of students.
• Participate in the planning and administering of diagnostic testing and career interest and skills assessment surveys.
• Provide information on and assist students in college exploration and application.
• Provide information on and assist students with financial aid and scholarship application.
• Serve as Upward Bound liaison to high school administration and guidance departments.
• Conduct student development workshops and sessions (i.e., in areas of time management, stress management, study skills development, self-empowerment, career exploration, college application and financial aid processes, etc.) in compliance with US Department of Education regulations pertaining to federally funded TRIO programs.
• Recruit students for the Program (coordinate recruitment activities; plan and conduct the Junior High/Middle School recruitment tour; interview students).
• Interacts effectively with students who have different cultural and social backgrounds.
• Responds to requests for information; assist students and staff with research, information verification, and problem solving.
• Prepare written reports as may be necessary and maintains accurate records concerning program activities and student contacts using computerized databases and student folders.
• Collect, record, and submit weekly, monthly, and annual contact and service reports for submission to student files and US Department of Education.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the Director.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree required.

EXPERIENCE: Successful experience working with economically or educationally disadvantaged secondary school students.

OTHER: Demonstrated sensitivity to the needs of low-income students and students of color. Demonstrated record of commitment to providing educational access, opportunity, and support for low-income students and students of color. Must be available on nights and weekends as needed. Travel will be required between target schools, for campus business and to attend tutorials, conferences, etc.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Knowledge of counseling techniques and strategies appropriate for secondary students.
• Knowledge of TRIO Programs, Federal Regulations, US Dept. of Education policies and procedures.
• Demonstrated effective counseling and advisement skills with low-income students and students of color.
• Knowledge of student development issues and needs of secondary school students and strategies and techniques for addressing those issues and needs.
• Ability to understand, interpret and communicate target high school policies, processes and requirements for academic progress and graduation to Program students.
• Ability to organize, manage and carry out multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to establish and maintain strong rapport with students in the Program.
• Knowledge of college admissions and financial aid application processes.
• Familiarity with relevant survey and testing instruments (i.e., career interest survey instruments, scholastic achievement and aptitude assessment instruments, learning styles diagnostic surveys, etc.)
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written form.
• Demonstrated ability to function effectively with limited supervision.
• Knowledge and experience with Windows, ACCESS, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint software.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Advanced degree in counseling, student services or educationally related field.

Successful experience working within a TRIO program or program similar to TRIO.

Salary for ESU:

UMass Dartmouth offers exciting benefits such as:

75% Employer-Paid Health Insurance
Flexible Spending Accounts
Life Insurance
Long Term Disability
State Pension Retirement Plan
Optional Retirement Savings Plans
Tuition Credit (Employee, Spouse, & Dependents)
Twelve (12) paid holidays.
Paid personal, vacation, and sick time.
And more!

Benefits for ESU Union:

Applicants must be authorized for employment in the U.S. on a full-time basis. Employment-based visa sponsorship not available.

To apply please submit a letter of interest, current resume and the contact information for three professional references.

The deadline for internal applicants is May 2, 2024.

The review of applications will begin May 3, 2023.