STEM Coordinator - Upward Bound (Grant Funded)

The STEM Coordinator is responsible with the effective planning and smooth implementation of tasks associated with the mission of Upward Bound, i.e., to motivate and prepare selected high school students to experience success in high school and higher education until graduation.

This position is funded in whole or in part, by an external grant and is subject to immediate termination if the grant funding ceases. No employee who is in such a position may file a grievance over the termination of the position. While it is possible that grant funding may be renewed, the current funding for this position ends on May 31, 2027.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assists with successful recruitment, enrollment, retention, and supervision of students.
• Assists students with preparation for and completion of registration for the SAT and ACT assessments.
• Administers and interprets career interest inventories to students.
• Provides learning strategies to assist students toward increased retention of knowledge and improving grades.
• Develops and presents motivational STEM workshops to students and parents or guardians.
• Maintains accurate records and assist with the compilation of reports.
• Assists with planning and implementing highly successful STEM programs and STEM services to enable participants to successfully complete high school, apply for college admissions, financial aid including scholarships, and/or housing.
• Conducts follow-up on former participants.
• Makes regular school visits to provide STEM educational services to participants.
• Assists students with completion of the FAFSA, Common Application, Apply Texas Application, scholarship applications, etc.
• Assists students with the development of academic resumes and strongly effective college essays for college applications.
• Assists the Director as assigned with developing and implementing STEM program activities.
• Reviews students' high school grades each grading period and assist with the development of a plan for continual improvement.
• Assists with the implementation of tutorial sessions.
• Coordinates and supervises students inside/outdoors on STEM field trips as well as during physical recreation.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in secondary education within public schools and with one or more teaching areas in a STEM related discipline and/or a graduate degree in a STEM-related discipline required.
• 2 or more years of full-time, professional work experience in a STEM related area and within an academic setting that includes teaching and/or counseling high school students including career guidance is preferred or;
• 2 or more years of experience/knowledge of the following processes at the university level: (1) academic development, (2) admissions, (3) financial aid including scholarships, (4) residential housing, and (5) STEM career guidance is preferred or;
• 2 or more year of full-time, professional experience serving potential first-generation college students from low-income backgrounds preferred;
• Experience in recruitment of high school youth for participation in an academic program Experience with virtual training, coaching, or instruction preferred.
• Must clear and maintain a favorable background investigation and clearance.
• Must have valid driver's license, motor vehicle liability insurance, and personal injury insurance, or have a self-reliant source of transportation to conduct business on a daily basis
• Must have the ability to demonstrate intermediate to high skills in MS Office (Word, Excel, Access, Publisher, Outlook, Teams, and Zoom or similar platforms); familiarity with financial systems (Banner), a plus
• Must be able to work flexible hours, including evenings, and weekends.
• Must be able to conduct home visits and to travel to assist with the supervision of participants on field trips.
• Bilingual Preferred (English/Spanish with the ability to understand and to make one's self understood to Spanish speaking individuals)
• Demonstrated successful experience working with youth from low-income and culturally diverse backgrounds.
• Demonstrated ability to motivate and inspire students to achieve their highest potential; experience serving potential first-generation college students from low-income backgrounds preferred; Strong knowledge of the Upward Bound program and the population it serves; alumni of the program are preferred
• Experience in recruitment of high school youth for participation in an academic program
• Experience with virtual training, coaching, or instruction preferred.
• Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills; strong public relations and customer service skills with an ability to implement diplomacy and discretion at all times; ability to work effectively with high school students, parents, school counselors, teachers, faculty and staff.
• Must have high ethical standards and a strong sense of confidentiality; ability to prioritize and manage multiple deadlines; thrive in a complex work environment; display solid problem solving and interpersonal skills; work well independently and as part of a team; professional demeanor, appearance and strong work ethic required
• Must have a high attention to detail and be able to organize workflow, coordinate activities, balance simultaneous projects without loss of efficiency in a multi-tasked environment, and manage multiple priorities to meet deadlines.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Working conditions are in an office environment and university campus setting. Must be able to move across the university campus to conduct day to day business.
• While performing this role, the employee will be regularly required to sit, walk, and stand; talk and hear, both in person and by telephone; and use hands repetitively to operate standard office equipment; and occasionally required to lift up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Frequently communicates with others using approved technological resources; must be able to exchange accurate information through designated systems within a timely manner.
• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

St. Mary's University is a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Equal Opportunity Employer.