Student Specialist - Upward Bound

KeyPoint Alliance•Atlanta, GA

1d•$43,000 - $48,000

About The Position

The Upward Bound program is a federally funded grant program that provides supportive services to participants in preparation for college. Its purpose is to identify and serve eligible students by providing opportunities for their academic development and enrichment, assisting students with college preparation and motivating students toward the successful completion of a high school diploma and post-secondary enrollment, persistence and completion. Upward Bound serves high school students from low-income families, and high school students from families in which neither parent holds a bachelor's degree. Services are rendered in the Metropolitan Atlanta area which includes Douglasville, GA. The goal of the TRIO Upward Bound is to increase the rate at which participants complete secondary education and enroll in and graduate from institutions of post-secondary education.

Requirements

Demonstrate efficient organizational and time management skills.
Possess excellent interpersonal, communication (oral and written) skills.
Possess discretion, sound judgment, and solid decision making skills.
Be highly capable of following instructions and directives, as well as be conscientious and detailed oriented.
Be able to effectively recruit and retain program participants.
Be comfortable dressing in professional business attire and having an overall professional appearance at work.
Be informed about and able to integrate appropriate technologies into the program and services.
Have at least one (1) year (2 years preferred) of experience of paid or non-paid working in an educational and/or nonprofit community program that impacts the educationally disadvantaged/nontraditional student populations.
Possess applicable knowledge of university procedures regarding admissions and financial aid.
Demonstrate knowledge of persistence and graduation strategies.
Be computer literate including Microsoft office and database management (Blumen knowledge preferred, but not required).
Have knowledge of current academic counseling strategies to facilitate achievement.
Be familiar with Georgia's high school curriculum and graduation requirements.
Be sensitive to the needs of diverse and disadvantaged populations (having a background similar to participants is preferred)
Prepare and present engaging, age appropriate, and interactive presentations to keep youth interested in the UB program.
Possess good presentation skills and be able to speak confidently in front of large groups.
Be able to communicate on the go and have the ability to make frequent visits to school sites to promote the program and render services to various partnering schools in the Metropolitan Atlanta area.
Possess the ability to maintain strict confidentiality of information.
Be adaptable and flexible with regard to occasional changes in work schedule when applicable.
Minimum of bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline i.e. Education, Social Work, Human Services, Psychology, Sociology, or related field is required.
At least one (1) year of experience (2 years preferred) of paid or non paid working with disadvantaged student populations in an educational or community setting.
Demonstrated work experience with at risk teens is a plus.
Possess knowledge of university procedures regarding admissions and financial aid.
Demonstrated knowledge of persistence and graduation strategies.
A combination of education and experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

Effectively recruit and maintain a caseload of up to 60 eligible and qualified participants and provide weekly contacts in the form of individual and group academic counseling and advising sessions, personal coaching, as well as academic instruction and training as it pertains to career exploration/guidance, teaching scholastic skills development, life skills support, cultural and social activities, college visits, assistance with college entrance and financial aid applications as well as preparation for college entrance examinations, etc.
Assist in the implementation of the Upward Bound Program in accordance with federal regulations, policies and procedures as well as KPA’s policies and procedures.
Assist in the planning and monitoring of all activities and services, including activities at the participating high schools and field trip sites.
Assist with all activities related to the identification, recruitment, selection, assessment, and advisement of Upward Bound participants each year.
Assist with the implementation and coordination of UB’s academic instruction/tutorial component during the academic year and summer component to facilitate students' promotion to the next grade and/or college enrollment.
Assist with the coordination and planning of the academic year and summer programming schedule/calendar of events and prepares reports to submit to the Director. Helps to develop and carry out the plan to deliver/implement target schools' services, parent workshops, correspondences, general communication (telephone and email contacts), newsletters, and field trips, etc. to ensure program participants partake in the UB Project and stay abreast of UB services.
Monitors participants’ progress throughout high school and post-graduation; coordinate and facilitate test prep assistance, financial aid seminars etc. and assist participants with admissions and financial aid applications; work with parents, college admission and financial aid officers so that majority of graduating seniors enroll in college; connect participants with support services on college campus such as TRIO Student Support Services, etc.
Performs public speaking activities; plans and implements instructional sessions (which may include guest speakers) related to academic development, scholastic success, time management, goal setting, career exploration, financial aid, college exploration, life skills and other topics appropriate for pre-college students.
Establish/cultivate and maintain a strong network of relationships between the UB project, the community, target school officials (faculty, staff and administrators), two and four-year post-secondary institutions, etc. Serves as the key point of contact/ liaison for collaborative efforts involving the coordination of the Upward Bound Project services, events and activities; maintains program visibility in partnering schools.
Work closely with the director and other staff to evaluate the project’s performance and address programming or students’ issues in a manner that is consistent with achieving the program’s mission, goals and objectives. Assist in the preparation process of the U.S. Department of Education's APR (Annual Performance Report) and helps to ensure progress toward meeting program objectives. Assist with summative and formative evaluations.
Facilitates and/or coordinates classes and/or activities pertaining to UB’s required curriculum and permissible services during the academic year and the 6-week summer session.
Monitors participant involvement and maintains appropriate documentation of participant records in student files; Maintains student computer database (Blumen) and helps to track students upon graduation and into post-secondary school.
Helps seniors and parents with financial aid and admissions applications and educates all participants regarding the availability of financial aid, the types of financial aid, the process of getting financial aid and provides other financial literacy information.
Provides academic guidance and personal coaching to program participants in an effort to help students remain in the UB project, stay in school to earn their high school diploma, enroll and graduate college.
Perform other duties as assigned and/or directed.