UT GEAR UP All In (AI) Site Coordinator | San Antonio

The University of Texas at Austin•San Antonio, TX

5d•$55,000

About The Position

The Institute for Public School Initiatives (IPSI) is a center within the College of Education at The University of Texas at Austin. In support of the mission of the college which is focused on addressing responding to pressing challenges in education and health, IPSI commits resources and services to preparing students to achieve their academic potential; helps students and families increase their college awareness, readiness, and success; and provides educators and leadership with high-quality professional learning by designing and facilitating rigorous, engaging professional development content. The university provides employees a competitive benefits package that includes health insurance (premiums covered 100% for full-time benefits-eligible employees), retirement plans, and paid leave, in addition to other programs and services. This position is fixed-term, and the expected end date is August 31, 2026 , with the possibility of renewal and extension of the appointment depending on funding and performance. The UT GEAR UP All In (AI) Site Coordinator will help GEAR UP cohort students realize their dream of applying for and attending college. Working alongside middle and high school staff, Coordinators will assist students with academic and college knowledge counseling, mentoring, college admissions, financial aid, and scholarship applications. Coordinators will also plan and assist with college awareness activities at the school level to meet UT GEAR UP AI project objectives and goals. The UT GEAR UP AI Site Coordinator will be located regionally in San Antonio, TX, and will provide direct support to students, families, and educators in a Southwest ISD or Somerset middle school. The position requires tact, diplomacy, and a strong commitment to service. Successful candidates will demonstrate the ability to collaborate creatively and effectively with others to solve problems and reach goals. Successful candidates will also demonstrate excellent organizational and communication skills, including the ability to listen carefully and to write and speak persuasively.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in counseling, social work, child development, education, public administration, or related field.
Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree.
In-depth knowledge of secondary education requirements in Texas.
Knowledge of postsecondary education options, application procedures, and admission requirements.
Knowledge of financial aid and scholarship opportunities and FAFSA application processes.
Strong ability to communicate with students, parents, and school staff verbally and in writing.
Strong preference for bilingual/bicultural (Spanish) fluency/knowledge.

Responsibilities

Provide academic enrichment, informational, and motivational opportunities and interventions, including mentoring, tutoring, and advising activities (before school, during school, and after-school) for GEAR UP cohort students including for at-risk, LEP, and special education students: Monitor GEAR UP cohort student grades, attendance, and transcripts to promote on-time promotion and graduation and completion of appropriate rigorous coursework; Assess academic and personal needs of GEAR UP students through transcript evaluations, student interviews, and school counselor recommendations; Collaborate with school site team to develop and implement a service plan to meet students' specific needs and monitor progress of high school graduation and college readiness; Maintain GEAR UP cohort student information including files on academic and advisement progress and student participation in GEAR UP using a caseload management approach through the grant-sanctioned data system; Supplement school's efforts to help GEAR UP cohort students meet passing standards in STAAR and EOC assessment and meet criteria in PSAT, SAT, ACT, or TSI; Coordinate access for GEAR UP cohort students to qualified counselors at the school or district level; Leverage grant resources to ensure GEAR UP cohort students avail of partner- provided services in academic and non-academic fields.
Organize group events such as student assemblies and pep rallies, family night events, and other student and parent support activities (before school, during school, and after-school) that encourage students and their families to consider, plan for, and apply to colleges and universities: Visit classrooms, assemblies, and club meetings to offer GEAR UP services and emphasize the importance of college; Work with local community groups-non-profit organizations, community groups, churches, boys and girls clubs, social service providers-to offer group events outside school setting and hours; Recognize and celebrate student success and help motivate GEAR UP cohort students do better in school.
Provide one-on-one admissions and financial-aid advice to any GEAR UP cohort student or their family seeking assistance: Encourage each GEAR UP cohort student to consider a broad range of appropriate college choices; Develop for each GEAR UP cohort student a comprehensive college timeline, including application deadlines for admission and financial aid; Help each GEAR UP cohort student complete and submit admissions and financial aid applications; Assist each GEAR UP cohort student in interpreting correspondence from colleges, including offers of admission and financial aid.
Submit in-kind match and other supporting documentation upon request to the Fiscal Analyst as per grant requirements and assist district personnel in identifying match opportunities: Recruits, trains, and serves as a lead to GEAR UP cohort student and hourly employees, tutor/mentors, program assistants, college coaches, volunteers, and parent helpers; assigns work schedules of student and hourly staff and volunteers; Performs a variety of administrative duties in support of the GEAR UP grant, including collection of volunteer and donation forms; Maintain documentation files of all grant activities, correspondence, reports, procedures, and presentations related to the GEAR UP program; Develop outreach materials, including newsletters and social media sites.
Establish productive working relationships with principals, counselors, and teachers in the assigned middle and high school: Assess, in consultation with the IPSI GEAR UP Project Director and school personnel, the particular needs of each school, and adapt programs and activities to meet these needs; Actively seek the advice and counsel of the Principal at each partner school; Establish vertical teams with assistance of district and school staff to develop a support system for GEAR UP cohort students and to ease the transition between middle school, high school, and college.
Assist in the efforts of other UT GEAR UP Site Coordinators within the district and the cohort: Visit other schools within the district and the UT GEAR UP AI cohort to coordinate events and services; Help organize, provide support for, and attend evening and weekend events organized by other UT GEAR UP and other Site Coordinators.
Assist in the assessment and long-term sustainability of the program: Identify, collect, enter, and interpret key progress and outcome data in order to assist the Project Director and Evaluation staff to evaluate the effectiveness of UT GEAR UP AI; Submit monthly progress reports to the Project Director documenting progress and outcome data; Meet, as appropriate, with evaluators from the external evaluator, Represent UT GEAR UP AI, as requested by the Project Director, to potential supporters and to other interested parties.
Maintain expertise in college knowledge and readiness: Participate in ongoing professional development throughout the year, including trainings, webinars, and state and national conferences; In consultation with the Project Director, seek out and participate in other opportunities for professional development.