Program Advisor - TRIO Upward Bound Programs

The Pennsylvania State University•University Park, FL

9d•$42,100 - $61,000

About The Position

TRIO Upward Bound Programs is seeking a Program Advisor for program operations in the Mount Union and Steelton-Highspire School Districts. At Penn State, the Upward Bound Program (UB) is located within The Office of the Vice Provost for Educational Equity . Upward Bound is a federally-funded program that helps high-school students gain academic skills and motivation to continue their education beyond high school. The project provides opportunities for participants to succeed in their precollege performance and ultimately in their higher education pursuits. Upward Bound serves high school students from low-income families in which neither parent holds a bachelor's degree. The goal of Upward Bound is to increase the rate at which participants complete secondary education and enroll in and graduate from institutions of postsecondary education. Upward Bound Program (ed.gov) The Upward Bound Program Advisor assists in organizing, developing, and implementing social, educational, and service-learning programs/activities for Upward Bound Programs’ participants. The successful candidate will have a proven track record of working effectively with high school students in a team environment, will serve as the Penn State on-site program liaison/contact with school district personnel, and will be responsible for: Student recruitment and programming for grant-determined school district population, parent/student events, and community stakeholders Advising, tutoring, or referring program participants on various student services including high school course selection, college readiness, financial aid, health and wellness, career services, academic advising, student leadership, and diversity and inclusion Development and implementation of academic year and summer residential programming in compliance with federal guidelines as outlined in the grant develop and maintain effective working relationships with school districts, community partners, and campus and University-wide offices Understanding and articulating unit policies and federal grant guidelines in oral and written communication This individual will be responsible for providing services to students with a focus on meeting the following core objectives of the project: Assisting non-senior students to complete rigorous coursework and pass to the next grade level each year Assisting senior students to graduate from high school on time Assisting senior students to matriculate to postsecondary education for the fall semester immediately following high school graduation Assisting with tracking the postsecondary progress of students served for six years after high school graduation The ideal candidate will have experience in the following knowledge areas: Collaborating with school district personnel to assist participants with scheduling high school courses and providing academic counseling and support services necessary to ensure completion of a rigorous curriculum Reviewing and monitoring participants’ academic progress to guide implementation of grade-level appropriate activities, focused on postsecondary goals integrated with a salient career focus Assisting participants with applying to postsecondary education and navigating the enrollment process Providing information about financial aid and assisting participants with applying for aid and interpreting financial aid packages Coordinating and chaperoning postsecondary campus tours and career focused field trips Developing and maintaining a network of professional relationships with postsecondary institutions and community agencies Demonstrated experience in providing direct college preparation services to 9th through 12th grade students and in working with low-income, first-generation high school students from diverse backgrounds are essential Knowledge of and experience with federally funded TRIO programs is preferred Competencies critical to success include: Outstanding interpersonal verbal and written communications Effective analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills Accuracy and attention to detail The ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines

Requirements

Minimally requires a bachelor's degree, 1+ years of relevant experience, or a n equivalent combination of education and experience
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
This position requires the following clearances: PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form, and Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check.
This position requires that you operate a motor vehicle as a part of your job duties. A valid driver’s license and successful completion of a motor vehicle records check will be required in addition to clearances.
Outstanding interpersonal verbal and written communications
Effective analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills
Accuracy and attention to detail
The ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines
Demonstrated experience in providing direct college preparation services to 9th through 12th grade students and in working with low-income, first-generation high school students from diverse backgrounds are essential

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of and experience with federally funded TRIO programs is preferred

Responsibilities

Student recruitment and programming for grant-determined school district population, parent/student events, and community stakeholders
Advising, tutoring, or referring program participants on various student services including high school course selection, college readiness, financial aid, health and wellness, career services, academic advising, student leadership, and diversity and inclusion
Development and implementation of academic year and summer residential programming in compliance with federal guidelines as outlined in the grant develop and maintain effective working relationships with school districts, community partners, and campus and University-wide offices
Understanding and articulating unit policies and federal grant guidelines in oral and written communication
Assisting non-senior students to complete rigorous coursework and pass to the next grade level each year
Assisting senior students to graduate from high school on time
Assisting senior students to matriculate to postsecondary education for the fall semester immediately following high school graduation
Assisting with tracking the postsecondary progress of students served for six years after high school graduation
Collaborating with school district personnel to assist participants with scheduling high school courses and providing academic counseling and support services necessary to ensure completion of a rigorous curriculum
Reviewing and monitoring participants’ academic progress to guide implementation of grade-level appropriate activities, focused on postsecondary goals integrated with a salient career focus
Assisting participants with applying to postsecondary education and navigating the enrollment process
Providing information about financial aid and assisting participants with applying for aid and interpreting financial aid packages
Coordinating and chaperoning postsecondary campus tours and career focused field trips
Developing and maintaining a network of professional relationships with postsecondary institutions and community agencies