Academic Counselor

University of Washington•Yakima, WA

29d

About The Position

The mission of the Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity (OMA&D) is to create pathways for diverse populations to access postsecondary opportunities, nurture and support their academic success, and cultivate a campus climate that enriches the educational experience for all. OMA&D staff enjoy a fast-paced, mission-oriented work environment noted for its commitment to diversity and excellence. Within OMA&D is the College Access unit that implements programs focused on expanding access for underserved communities by partnering with K-12 school districts, two-year colleges and community coalitions. The Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity has an outstanding opportunity for an Academic Counselor with the UW Educational Talent Search program. Position is contingent on continued grant funding. Under the supervision of the Director for Educational Talent Search (ETS), the Academic Counselor will develop, plan, and deliver services to low-income and first-generation students and their families in the Toppenish, Wapato and Mount Adams School Districts, promoting post-secondary education. The Academic Counselor will help refine and implement ETS Program objectives, procedures, practices, and policies and serve as the main point of contact for students and the public for information about ETS. The Academic Counselor monitors student performance and identifies students in need of extra support or intervention. The Academic Counselor helps prepare recruitment materials, collect and enter applicant data, and assist in reviewing applicants for admission into the program. The Academic Counselor processes data from online data collection systems, compile and input data, and generate reports required for the APR, compliance, and program success. The Academic Counselor also helps maintain the program's promotional materials, web site, student and social media presence and the systems utilized for collecting information and communicating with stakeholders and the public. This position plays a key role in ensuring ETS's program effectiveness and continuity. The Academic Counselor position requires the use of sound judgment and expertise and understanding of school district and higher education policies, including rigorous secondary curriculum and graduation requirements and postsecondary admissions, financial aid, and career development. The position also requires an understanding of UW and TRIO policies and regulations, and the educational landscape for low-income and first-generation student populations. This position requires the ability to collaborate with UW campus administrators, and staff; with Toppenish, Wapato and Mount Adams district administrators, principals, counselors, teachers, and staff; and community partners to provide optimal services to students. This position requires the ability to utilize multiple systems for collecting, organizing, and presenting information including databases, web sites, and content management systems. The Academic Counselor must be able to coordinate group activities and possess excellent time and project management skills, as well as be very organized and able to manage multiple concurrent projects. They must also have excellent communication skills and be able to work with middle school and high school students, college staff and faculty, and parents/guardians from diverse backgrounds.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree and A minimum of 2-3 years of experience working in programs serving middle school and high school and/or students.
Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.
Ability to work effectively with diverse populations required.
Experience in maintaining and reviewing student records required.
Knowledge of admissions, financial aid, and career development required.
Experience in updating and maintaining computer systems and proficiency in Microsoft Office, and Adobe applications required.
Experience in online data collection (e.g. Google Forms), Word Press, and Microsoft Teams.
Must be able to organize and plan program activities and services, manage time effectively, prioritize tasks, and meet tight program deadlines.
Excellent interpersonal skills.

Nice To Haves

Past TRIO participant, and/or bilingual preferred.
Experience with federal regulations and with federal TRIO programs, which support the educational development of low-income, first generation, and underrepresented students.
Personal experience overcoming barriers like those of the students served by the project.
Understanding of partner schools and communities in the Toppenish, Wapato, White Swan and Washington state college access programs and college admission requirements.
Experience in maintaining and reviewing student records.
Experience in updating and maintaining computer systems and proficiency in Microsoft Office, FileMaker Database, and Adobe applications.
Must be able to organize and plan program activities and services, manage time effectively, prioritize tasks, and meet tight program deadlines.
Experience in online data collection (e.g. Google Forms), Word Press, and Microsoft Teams

Responsibilities

Conduct weekly advising sessions at each target school, monitor student progress, and communicate with students, families, teachers, and guidance counselors to support students and overcome obstacles to their success. Advise students about course selection and placement in advanced coursework and arrange for tutorial support, behavioral interventions, or referral to service agencies when needed.
Provide individual advising to seniors and their families on college research and selection, college, scholarship, and financial aid applications, and college enrollment and financial literacy.
Monitor completion of college, financial aid, and scholarship applications, FAFSA, and college enrollment requirements for annual performance report (APR).
Provide programming as services to participants and parents in forms of family financial literacy nights, field trips, cultural events etc., to educate our participants and disseminate information in the target schools about postsecondary options.
Provide leadership in the development and implementation of comprehensive need assessments to determine the academic, personal, financial, career, and cultural needs of project participants. Work with other ETS staff to develop an individualized Student Learning Plan for each student.
Monitor student progress in meeting these goals and prepare quarterly reports of student progress.
Serve as the main point of contact for students, schools, and the public regarding specific program activities and general information about the Educational Talent Search (ETS) Program.
Disseminate information (via mail, phone, program web site and portals, email, social media, and texts) regarding tutoring and advising, workshops, field trips, classes, and other program activities. In collaboration with the Director and staff, refine and implement ETS Program objectives, procedures, practices, and policies.
Prepare, edit, and maintain online and print materials related to program policies, procedures, and operations. At target schools, be a liaison with teachers, counselors, and support staff. Represent the ETS program in meetings and other functions both on and off campus and represent the ETS program in meetings and other functions both on and off campus.
Compile and input student participant data into the Student Access database system and generate reports required for the APR and program management.
Track current, continuing student in the database system while continuously inputting completed applications (intakes), programing services (contacts) and participation in the CPP programming.
Track ETS alumni enrollment and college completion through student surveys and college transcripts.
Support the Director in maintaining the database program participant's information up to date for the APR each year.
Assist with recruitment of new eligible students to ETS (2/3's first generation and low income).
Obtain student referrals and conduct presentations and informational sessions in group settings.
Assist in reviewing, selecting, and notifying applicants of their admissions into the program.
Oversee collection of school records, review applications for completion, and collect missing information and documentation.
Review the assessment portion in the application for planning of services and programming.
Work with ETS Director to review, select, and enroll program participants who meet eligibility requirements and reflect the diversity of target schools
Provide writing support and arrange for tutoring for students for their college application and scholarship essays, SAT practice essays, and school assignments.
Participate and assist in developing programing for the CPP #1 and CPP#2 programs defined in the grant award.
Assist in developing communication tools such as flyers for students and families about program events and specific actions required by each student to succeed.
Coordinate and provide input/feedback on design and preparation of program brochures, flyers, signs, and publications and newsletters.
Research, create, and maintain online calendar/database of opportunities for participants, including leadership, internships, workshops, research, college fairs and presentations, scholarships, and support services for middle school, high school and running-start students.
In coordination with the ETS director, ensure compliance with all UW youth protection requirements and register services with UW's Youth Protection database.
Complete training and take ongoing training to ensure compliance.
Take professional development re college access issues such as Financial Aid through Council for Opportunity in Education, NAEOP and WA TRIO Association.
Other Duties as assigned