Upward Bound Student Success Specialist

Grant-Funded, Full-Time, 12-Month Position

Job Summary

Reporting to the Upward Bound Director, the Upward Bound Student Success Specialist utilizes a comprehensive case-management approach to assess participant needs, provide direct student support services, monitor academic progress, coordinate intervention strategies, and support implementation of the South Arkansas College Upward Bound Program. The Specialist assists eligible Upward Bound participants in successfully completing secondary education, preparing for postsecondary education, enrolling in college, and progressing toward achievement of program objectives.

The position supports delivery of Academic Year, Summer Scholars Academy, and College Bridge services through advising, academic support, tutoring coordination, college readiness programming, data management, outreach, and participant progress monitoring. The position requires a flexible work schedule, including regular Saturday work and occasional evenings and other nontraditional hours, as needed to support program activities, student services, and grant requirements.

This position is governed by applicable state and federal laws, institutional policies, U.S. Department of Education requirements, and federal TRIO Upward Bound regulations. Responsibilities are performed in accordance with the approved Upward Bound grant, applicable federal requirements, and South Arkansas College policies.

Salary: Annual salary range of $34,000-$36,000 to commensurate with education and experience. Plus, excellent benefit package.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Provides functional supervision, training, scheduling support, and performance feedback for Upward Bound tutors. May assist with supervision and coordination of student workers, peer mentors, volunteers, and project activities as assigned. Does not exercise direct administrative supervision over professional staff.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Utilize a case-management model to assess participant needs, develop and implement individualized intervention and student success plans, and coordinate services aligned with participant goals.
• Conduct participant intake activities, orientation support, follow-up communications, and enrollment processes for newly accepted participants.
• Assist in identification, recruitment, selection, and retention of eligible participants in accordance with Upward Bound regulations and project procedures.
• Assist with presentations and outreach activities at schools, orientations, community events, parent meetings, and other approved settings to increase awareness of Upward Bound services.
• Verify, collect, organize, and maintain participant eligibility documentation and supporting records required for federal compliance and project operations.
• Screen and organize participant applications for review by the selection committee and assist with applicant follow-up communications.
• Meet individually with assigned participants on a regular basis to review academic performance, attendance, educational goals, college readiness milestones, and overall progress.
• Develop, monitor, and update Individual Intervention Plans (IIPs) and related student success plans based on participant assessments, academic records, and identified needs.
• Monitor participant grades, attendance, benchmark assessments, service participation, standardized test results, and other indicators of academic progress.
• Implement timely interventions for participants experiencing academic difficulty, attendance concerns, disengagement, or barriers to educational success.
• Coordinate and administer the project's academic tutoring program, including tutor recruitment, training, scheduling, documentation, evaluation, and monitoring of tutoring effectiveness.
• Conduct individual participant meetings at least twice monthly and maintain additional contact through approved communication methods as needed.
• Collaborate with El Dorado High School personnel and South Arkansas College departments to support participant achievement and college readiness.
• Visit El Dorado High School regularly during the academic year to monitor participant progress, maintain relationships with school personnel, and support student success initiatives.
• Assist with planning and implementation of Saturday Academies, Academic Resource Sessions, workshops, tutoring activities, academic enrichment opportunities, and other approved program services.
• Coordinate and support ACT, SAT, ACCUPLACER, and other college readiness preparation activities, including referrals to practice resources and individualized assistance.
• Assist participants with college exploration, college selection, admissions applications, admissions timelines, transcript requests, enrollment requirements, and related postsecondary planning processes.
• Provide assistance with FAFSA completion, scholarship searches, financial aid applications, verification requirements, and financial literacy education.
• Support implementation of financial literacy workshops, college planning programs, leadership development activities, digital literacy programming, and college readiness initiatives.
• Coordinate and facilitate computer literacy, technology readiness, internet research skills, and digital learning workshops.
• Assist with planning and implementation of college visits, academic enrichment activities, educational field experiences, and transition-to-college programming.
• Support Summer Scholars Academy, College Bridge, evening activities, Saturday programming, and other approved grant-funded activities as assigned.
• Maintain accurate participant files, case notes, service records, tutoring logs, communication records, eligibility documentation, and other required project records.
• Utilize institutional and project data systems to document services, track participant outcomes, monitor progress, and support reporting requirements.
• Compile, verify, analyze, and report participant data to support evaluation, continuous improvement, compliance monitoring, Annual Performance Report (APR) preparation, and grant reporting activities.
• Assist with collection and maintenance of quantitative and qualitative evaluation data, surveys, assessments, and participant outcome information.
• Maintain confidentiality of participant records and information in accordance with FERPA, institutional policies, and applicable privacy requirements.
• Promote a safe, supportive, inclusive, and professional environment for participants during all program activities.
• Participate in institutional training, required compliance activities, professional development, and TRIO-related conferences and workshops as approved.
• Assist the Upward Bound Director with implementation of project objectives and day-to-day program operations.
• Perform other duties directly related to successful implementation of the Upward Bound Program as assigned.
  
  

Skills And Abilities

• Knowledge of student development, college access, college readiness, and student success practices.
• Knowledge of educational barriers commonly experienced by low-income, first-generation, and academically at-risk students.
• Knowledge of college admissions, FAFSA, financial aid, scholarship, and postsecondary transition processes.
• Knowledge of academic intervention strategies, tutoring practices, and student support services.
• Knowledge of federal TRIO Upward Bound program goals and requirements.
• Ability to establish positive relationships with youth, families, educators, and community partners.
• Ability to advise, motivate, mentor, and support high school students from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to assess needs and develop effective intervention strategies.
• Ability to plan, coordinate, and facilitate workshops, presentations, and student activities.
• Ability to organize, maintain, and monitor complex records and documentation.
• Ability to collect, verify, analyze, and report student data accurately.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment.
• Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, and public presentation skills.
• Strong organizational, time-management, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, databases, student information systems, and educational technology platforms.
• Ability to work collaboratively with school personnel, college representatives, families, and community organizations.
• Ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities and deadlines.
  
  

Required Education And Experience

Bachelor's degree in Education, Student Services, Counseling, Social Sciences, Human Services, or a related field. Minimum of two (2) years of experience providing instructional support, academic support services, advising, case management, college access services, youth development services, educational programming, or related student-support experience. Experience working with secondary or postsecondary students. Demonstrated proficiency with technology, data management, and office software applications.Valid driver's license and ability to travel as required for program operations.

Preferred Education And Experience

Master's degree in Education, Counseling, Student Affairs, Higher Education, Social Work, or a related field. Three (3) or more years of experience working in TRIO programs, college access initiatives, educational outreach, student success programs, or federally funded educational programs. Experience working with low-income, first-generation, and educationally disadvantaged students. Experience with participant tracking systems, assessment processes, and grant-funded program documentation. Experience coordinating tutoring, academic intervention, advising, or case-management programs. Personal, educational, or professional background that reflects an understanding of the populations served by Upward Bound.

Physical Requirements

• Frequent sitting, standing, walking, speaking, and hearing.
• Regular use of computers and standard office equipment.
• Ability to travel to schools, colleges, community locations, conferences, and program activities.
• Ability to lift and carry materials and supplies associated with program operations.
  
  

Application Agreement

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Applications are subject to the Arkansas FOIA. South Arkansas College is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. South Arkansas College does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, handicap, or veteran status in the provision of educational or employment opportunities or benefits.

The college is in compliance with titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), and all other federal and state laws related to equal opportunity practices.

Chosen Candidate will be required to submit to a criminal background check and have acceptable background results, provide any certificates of training (if the candidates possess any) or Licenses, Official Transcripts (for positions requiring undergraduate or graduate education), must have a clean driving record and must complete all new hire paperwork prior to starting work. This is a safety-sensitive position and is subject to drug testing.

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