Upward Bound Project Advisor

Job Description

Muskegon Community College
Named the 19th Best Community College in the U.S. in 2021, Muskegon offers accredited academic programs leading to 54 associate degrees and 32 certificates. As an Achieving the Dream Leader College, MCC’s nationally recognized commitment to student success unites its faculty and staff in their mission to prepare students, build communities and improve lives.

One of Michigan’s most picturesque community colleges, the Muskegon main campus building - an award-winning Alden Dow design - spans Four Mile Creek on a 15-acre sylvan setting. The campus boasts several new multimillion-dollar facilities - the Health and Wellness Center, the Science Center and the Art and Music Building - and includes University Park Golf Course and the Carr-Fles Planetarium. The Sturrus Technology Center in historic downtown Muskegon is home to state-of-the-art applied technology offerings, the Rooks|Sarnicola Entrepreneur Center and the Lakeshore Fab Lab. MCC offers classes in adjacent Ottawa and Newaygo Counties.

Living in Muskegon County
Muskegon County residents enjoy 26 miles of sugar-sand beaches along Lake Michigan’s shoreline, as well as one of America’s only luge tracks at the Winter Sports Complex and the regionally popular Michigan’s Adventure Amusement & Water Park. An outdoor recreation hub with three state parks and swimming, fishing and boating on its many lakes and rivers, the Muskegon area offers dynamic downtown and beachfront restaurant and entertainment venues. The Muskegon Farmer’s Market is the second largest in Michigan. Cruise ships dock in Muskegon, while a high-speed ferry connects the city to Milwaukee. Notable local museums range from rare art collections to an actual World War II submarine and a U.S. Navy ship used during D-Day.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: First Review -April 3, 2023
STARTING SALARY: $36,000- $46,000 Depending on Experience

Required Skills

General Description:

Mentor and monitor Upward Bound student participants; work intensively with their families to help the students attain success through high school; and prepare students for entry into post-secondary education.

Qualifications: Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

1. Minimum Bachelor’s Degree in Education or a related field from an accredited college or university; Master’s degree preferred in guidance and counseling, education, administration or a related field.
2. Two years related coaching, mentoring, or related education experience as a including the use of technology to accomplish job tasks. Ability and willingness to upgrade skills including technology or process changes.
3. Experience with and commitment to the advancement of socially, economically, and educationally disadvantaged individuals.

Prefer previous experience with TRIO/Upward Bound Programs or work with disadvantaged student populations.

Demonstrated ability to work as part of a successful team while accomplishing tasks and assignments without assistance, even while multi-tasking.

Highly motivated and solution oriented with a high degree of integrity, ethics and dedication to the mission of the College.

Must be detailed-oriented, well-organized, and able to deal effectively with students, community members, and college staff at all levels and handle confidential information appropriately.

Demonstrated ability to create a warm, welcoming environment to students, parents, faculty/staff and community members especially during busy/chaotic times.

Demonstrated ability to relate to people of all ages, races, and social-economic backgrounds.

Essential Function:

1. Provide and develop project services that will be utilized at office and school sites.
2. Develop, implement and conduct orientation workshops for participants.
3. Organize, develop, and conduct financial aid and other workshops for participants.
4. Interview students and prospective students and give advice regarding application process, program requirements, course requirements, etc.
5. Monitor students’ attendance, behavior, grades, tests scores, and credits earned; implement improvement strategies and action plans.
6. Maintain confidentiality regarding student and project files.
7. Assess family needs; make appropriate referrals and linkages for family support and prevention services.
8. Keep a regular schedule of home visits with Upward Bound families to build trusting relationships with students and families.
9. Design and implement, with the Director, after-school and summer programming.
10. Demonstrate personal support for individual students: e.g., phone calls, notes, personal contact during school vacations, etc.
11. Devote 100% of scheduled time to Trio/Upward Bound project.
12. Some weekend work for community service and overnight trips with students.
13. Maintain a congenial, supportive and accepting approach when working with participants.
14. Provide academic advising for students; resolve individual admission problems with students and staff.
15. Participate in staff development and in-service training meetings (TRIO meetings).
16. Serve on college committees as appointed.
17. Refer students to counselors, tutors, or external agencies as appropriate.
18. Direct support staff or student assistants as assigned.
19. Receive supervision from the Upward Bound Project Director.
20. Other duties as assigned.

Physical, Mental, and Environment Requirements Include:

Mental Demands:

☐ Detailed Work

☒ Student Contact

☒ Deadline oriented

☐ Problem Situations

☒ Multiple Priorities & Demands

☒ Emergency Situations

☒ Confidentiality

☒ On-call Availability

☒ Continual Interruptions

☒ Working Alone

☒ Faculty Contact

☒ Working with Others





Physical Demands:

☒Standing & Walking

☒ Sitting

☐ Reclining

☒ Carrying

☒ Lifting up to 10 lbs. ☐ Up to 25 lbs. ☐ Up to 50 lbs. ☐ 80 + lbs.

☐ Pushing, Pulling, Twisting, Bending

☐ Climb or Balance

☐ Stoop, Kneel, Crouch, or Crawl

☐ Squatting

☐ Handle or Feel

☐ Reach with Hands and Arms

☒ Talking or hearing

☐ Tasting/Smelling

☐ Working Overhead

☒ Speak in English via Phone or In Person

☐ Close, Distance, Peripheral, and Color Vision along with Depth Perceptions

☒ Ability to Adjust and Focus

Work Environment:

☐ Exposure to wet, humid conditions (non-weather), fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals; extreme heat/cold; and moderate to loud noise levels.

☒ Normal Office environment with little, if, any, discomfort due to heat, dust, noise and the like. Ability to travel to all campus locations required.



Muskegon Community College continues to promote staff diversity, and is an equal opportunity employer. MCC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, political persuasion, disability, height, weight, veteran status, age or any other protected class in any of its educational programs, activities or employment. Minorities, women, veterans, and the physically challenged are encouraged to apply. Anyone with a disability will be reasonably accommodated by the College. If you have a disability and need an accommodation or assistance in applying for this position, please contact the Human Resources Office.

Job Location Muskegon, Michigan, United States
Position Type Full-Time/Regular