Counseling Services Coordinator

University of Washington Medical Center•Yakima, WA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The GEAR UP RISE UP program has an outstanding opportunity for a Counseling Services Coordinator. This position is a grant-funded position and contingent upon funding. This position is located in a remote site: Yakima School District Middle/High School buildings. This position will interact with school administrative level staff such as the principal, counselors and teachers. For over 55 years, the Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity (OMA&D) has advanced diversity, equity, and inclusion at the University of Washington, a campus that sits on tribal land. Through our programs and partnerships, we 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. This legacy of work continues to drive excellence at UW and together, we help the university work toward its vision for becoming a more just and equitable campus community. More information about the Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity is available at uw.edu/OMAD. 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 Gaining Early Awareness & Readiness for Undergraduate Programs, Rural Initiatives in STEM Education and Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP RISE UP) is the largest college access program serving middle and high school students. Under the Direction of the GEAR UP Director and Associate Director, the Counseling Services Coordinator (CSC) develops, plans, and delivers GEAR UP services to low-income and first-generation students and their families in Yakima School District. The CSC will help refine and implement GEAR UP Program objectives, procedures, practices and policies, and serve as the main point of contact for students and the public for information about GEAR UP. The CSC monitors student performance and identifies students in need of extra support or intervention. They help prepare curriculum and services and collect data. The Counseling Services Coordinator 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, Yakima School district and GEAR UP grant policies and regulations, and the educational landscape for low-income and first-generation student populations. This position requires the ability to collaborate with GEAR UP central office and district administrators, superintendents, 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 Counseling Services Coordinator 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, and college staff and faculty, and parents/guardians from diverse backgrounds.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in education, social work or related field and 2 years of experience in an educational setting: K–12 or post-secondary education, delivering college access services to students and families, or experience managing large federal or state grants such as GEAR UP, TRIO Programs, or similar college access initiatives.
Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.
Program Management Skills: Demonstrated ability to set goals, communicate effectively with stakeholders, maintain ongoing engagement, manage relationships, meet reporting requirements, prioritize tasks, and adhere to tight deadlines.
Communication Skills: Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills, including public speaking and the ability to clearly articulate ideas.
Student Engagement: Experience working with middle school, high school, and college students from historically excluded, low-income, or first-generation backgrounds, with a proven ability to serve diverse populations effectively.
Teamwork and Independence: Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
Language Skills: Bilingual proficiency in Spanish (written and oral).

Nice To Haves

Bilingual/Bicultural Engagement: Experience working in bilingual and/or bicultural environments and effectively engaging students and families.
Program Knowledge: Familiarity with GEAR UP RISE UP partner schools, regional initiatives, and local communities.
Postsecondary Expertise: Knowledge of Washington State postsecondary institutions and pathways, including college admissions processes and financial aid requirements.
Student Support: Experience working with middle and high school students from low-income, or first-generation backgrounds, with a demonstrated ability to serve diverse populations.
Technical Proficiency: Skilled in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Teams) and experience using university and/or district systems.

Responsibilities

Conduct 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.
Work with students to individualize college planning by provide individual advising sessions 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 programing as services to participants and parents in the forms of family financial literacy nights, field trips, cultural events etc., to educate our participants and disseminate information in the target schools about post-secondary options.
Develop and implement GEAR UP activities and services to meet the grant goals and objectives.
Document activities for program for reporting requirements and external evaluator.
Identify and record cost share activities for required program goals.
Work with teachers to identify at-risk students in need of academic support services.
Supervise all student tutoring.
Collaborate with other agencies providing mentoring for students in the program.
Other duties as assigned