Academic Counselor-Talent Search -TTSP

Position Overview:

Coordinates program or services activities to ensure relevant guidelines, specifications, policy and/or procedures are followed for academic related programs, groups, and/or services. Assess to make sure the educational needs and goals are being met. Facilitates communication between administrators, faculty, staff, and students concerning program and/or services. Maintains relevant databases to ensure accurate and accessible records. Prepare reports summarizing statistical data or describing program objectives and accomplishments. 8-5 M-F, Occasional nights and weekends required.

Department Specific Essential Job Functions:

This position is a multi-year grant funded position and continued employment is contingent upon grant renewal. Establish, coordinate, and maintain contact with target middle schools, colleges, universities, and community partners. Develop and maintain individualized interrogative knowledge portfolios for all participants. To include but not limited to academic and career plans and support services. Advises and educates students on program requirements, academic goals while evaluating students’ academic history, standardized tests, and academic progress via transcripts on a continual proactive basis. Coordinate and serve as staff chaperone during college visitations, service learning, cultural enrichment activities, and summer academies provided for program participants. Creates and maintains participant files and enters data into the project database. Works with Program Coordinator to create workshops and seminars for advising participants on gaining skills and knowledge in the areas of leadership, character development, financial literacy, lifelong learning, cultural diversity, soft skills, career planning, and college preparation/readiness. Develops curriculum, facilitates, and delivers classroom instruction on these topics or schedules guest speakers with the requested expertise. Advises and assists students and their parents in accessing needed counseling services, support networks, and/or community health services. Works with department, target schools, and community to recruit, interview, evaluate and select qualified students for the program. Assist in managing the student filing system/database system and documentation for target schools. Provide direct services to participants on college access and success processes that promotes high school completion and post-secondary enrollment. Must be able to drive 12 or 15 passenger vehicles as job requires transporting individuals a few times each month.

Qualifications

Experience Required:

Bachelor's degree (or equivalent experience) in related field to the program and experience that provides knowledge of and exposure to fundamental theories, principles, and concepts.

Experience Preferred:

Bilingual preferred; at a minimum, the ability to understand and to make oneself understood to all Spanish speaking individuals. Knowledge in higher education attainment process. Minimum of three (3) years of experience with federal TRIO programs, academic support programs, or similar programs for disadvantage youths.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

Ability to serve as a mentor to program participants. Demonstrated ability to work effectively with target population, officials in post-secondary education institutions, community agencies, community organizations and community centers. The ability to cooperate and communicate with colleagues, participants, parents, and community members involved with the program. Knowledge of current educational resources and information in testing, career planning, college admissions, and financial aid resources. Experience in coordinating and implementing counseling sessions, workshops, seminars, campus visits, and group activities. Ability to work independently and comply with program guidelines. Ability to coordinate various components of program goals. Demonstration of excellent written, oral, and interpersonal skills. Commitment to the target population and the principles of equal educational opportunity.

Physical Demands:

Reasonable accommodations (in accordance with ADA requirements) may be made, upon request, to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.