UT GEAR UP Mindset College Ready Site Coordinator (Aldine ISD)-5

The University of Texas at Austin • Houston, TX

9d • Onsite

About The Position

The UT GEAR UP Mindset College Ready (MCR) Site Coordinator supports GEAR UP cohort students in preparing to apply for and attend college. Working with middle and high school staff, the coordinator provides academic and college-knowledge counseling, mentoring, admissions and financial-aid guidance, and scholarship-application support. The coordinator also plans and supports school-level college-awareness activities to meet UT GEAR UP MCR project objectives and goals. This position is regionally based in Houston, Texas, and provides direct support to students, families, and educators at an Aldine ISD high school. It requires tact, diplomacy, service commitment, collaborative problem-solving, and strong organizational and communication skills.

The coordinator provides academic enrichment, advising, tutoring, mentoring, and interventions; monitors students' academic progress and college readiness; and maintains student records and grant documentation. The role organizes student and family events, supports college and financial-aid applications, builds productive relationships with school and community partners, coordinates services with other site coordinators, and contributes to program evaluation and sustainability. The coordinator also recruits and leads student and hourly employees, tutors, volunteers, and parent helpers, and participates in required summer training and other professional development.

The position is scheduled for 40 hours per week and is expected to continue through August 31, 2027. The earliest start date is immediately. The work location is Houston, Texas, and working conditions are described as a typical office environment. Salary is $55,000 or more, depending on qualifications. The university offers eligible employees health insurance, retirement plans, paid leave, and other programs and services.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in counseling, social work, child development, education, public administration, or a related field; relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.
• Strong ability to communicate verbally and in writing with students, parents, and school staff.
• Ability to collaborate creatively and effectively with others to solve problems and achieve goals.
• Strong organizational and communication skills, including careful listening and persuasive writing and speaking.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree.
• In-depth knowledge of Texas secondary education requirements.
• Knowledge of postsecondary education options, application procedures, and admissions requirements.
• Knowledge of financial aid and scholarship opportunities and FAFSA application processes.
• Bilingual/bicultural Spanish fluency or knowledge is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide academic enrichment, informational and motivational opportunities, mentoring, tutoring, advising, and interventions for GEAR UP cohort students, including at-risk, LEP, and special education students.
• Monitor student grades, attendance, transcripts, promotion, graduation progress, and completion of rigorous coursework.
• Assess students’ academic and personal needs through transcript evaluations, interviews, and counselor recommendations; collaborate with school staff to develop service plans and monitor progress toward graduation and college readiness.
• Maintain student files and records of academic and advising progress and program participation using the grant-sanctioned data system and a caseload management approach.
• Supplement school efforts to help students meet STAAR and EOC passing standards and PSAT, SAT, ACT, or TSI criteria; coordinate access to qualified school or district counselors and partner-provided services.
• Organize student assemblies, pep rallies, family nights, and other student and parent support activities before, during, and after school to encourage college consideration, planning, and applications.
• Visit classrooms, assemblies, and club meetings to present GEAR UP services and emphasize the importance of college; collaborate with community groups to offer events outside school settings and hours.
• Recognize and celebrate student success and motivate students to improve their school performance.
• Provide one-on-one college admissions and financial-aid guidance to students and families; encourage consideration of a broad range of appropriate colleges, develop application timelines, assist with applications, and help interpret college correspondence and offers.
• Submit in-kind match and supporting documentation as requested and assist district personnel in identifying match opportunities.
• Recruit, train, and lead student and hourly employees, tutor/mentors, program assistants, college coaches, volunteers, and parent helpers; assign work schedules for student and hourly staff and volunteers.
• Perform grant administrative duties, including collecting volunteer and donation forms and maintaining documentation of activities, correspondence, reports, procedures, and presentations.
• Develop outreach materials, including newsletters and social media sites.
• Establish productive working relationships with principals, counselors, teachers, and community partners; assess school needs with the Project Director and school personnel and adapt activities accordingly.
• Seek the advice and counsel of partner-school principals and establish vertical teams with district and school staff to support students and ease transitions between middle school, high school, and college.
• Visit other schools in the district and cohort to coordinate events and services; help organize, support, and attend evening and weekend events organized by other site coordinators.
• Collect, enter, and interpret progress and outcome data; submit monthly progress reports; meet with external evaluators as appropriate; and represent the program to potential supporters and other interested parties when requested.
• Participate in two weeks of summer training on the UT Austin campus and pursue additional professional development in consultation with the Project Director.

Benefits

• Health insurance, with premiums covered 100% for full-time benefits-eligible employees.
• Retirement plans.
• Paid leave.
• Other programs and services.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level