Upward Bound Academic Advisor

About the Opportunity

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

Job Summary

Summary of Position:   

Under the supervision of the Associate Director and leadership of the Program Director, the Upward Bound Academic Advisor is responsible for recruiting Upward Bound participants; providing academic and personal counseling; planning, implementing, and chaperoning students at workshops and trips; advising on college admission and financial aid; recruiting and training summer residential staff; completing written student evaluations. This position also provides administrative, professional, technical, and operational support through independent judgment, analytical skills, and professional or technical expertise.

Essential Job Functions:

• Recruitment efforts: conducting regular oral presentations at target schools, community events, and other relevant outreach programs. Assist with interviewing potential participants and ensure all participants meet the necessary eligibility requirements as established by the U.S. Department of Education.
• Provide academic, career, and college admission advising to Upward Bound participants.
• Provide appropriate disciplinary actions when necessary.
• Develop an individual academic plan (IAP) for participants in a designated grade level including transcript evaluation, academic and extracurricular activity advising, and social/personal/academic intervention.
• Monitor and record attendance and academic performance of students and assist the Program Coordinator in the management of information in the database to ensure compliance with the Department of Education's regulations.
• Maintain weekly office hours at one or more of the target schools (which include Oakland High Schools and/or Richmond High Schools).
• Act as the liaison between the program and parents target school personnel, community representatives, and post-secondary institutions.
• Coordinate and facilitate academic support programs including advising, workshops, assessment, and follow-up as well as resource referral.
• Assist with all aspects of the planning of the Summer Residential Enrichment Program; this includes an onsite residence with students for a designated period of time.
• Develop, plan, and chaperone activities, events, field trips, and college tours.
• Dedicate ongoing attention to personal professional development and remain current with the U.S. Department of Education's regulations regarding TRiO Programs to ensure compliance with grant requirements.
• Perform other related duties as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Experience and ability to effectively work with students with diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds.
• Mission-driven and passionate about programs designed to identify and provide services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds.
• Knowledge of TRiO student services database preferably Student Access Database and another office database such as Microsoft Access, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to demonstrate effective teaching and academic counseling skills.
• Must have a valid California driver's license, safe driving record, current automobile insurance, and use of reliable transportation.
• Must be available to work evenings and weekends as needed, including onsite residence with students in dorms while on college tours and field trips.
• Must be available to maintain onsite residence with students for a designated period of time during the Summer Residential Enrichment Program.
• Requires passing fingerprinting and a background check.
• Ability to complete multiple tasks in a timely manner with minimal supervision and independent judgment.
• Flexibility and initiative.  Ability to take direction, prioritize, and work independently.
• Demonstrated experience-solving problems including conflict resolution. Demonstrated ability to work well under pressure to meet deadlines, maintaining a professional composure when dealing with common problems that occur in events and classroom settings.

Education and Training:

• Minimum education is a Bachelor's degree, preferably in education, social work, psychology, or a related field or the equivalent combination of education and experience. Preferably experience as a teacher, counselor or program coordinator.
• Minimum of two years of experience working for a U.S. Department of Education TRiO Program or similar program.

Physical, Mental, and Environmental Demands:

Work involves sitting for hours at the computer, which requires attention to detail and high levels of accuracy. Long hours during overnight travel and on-call chaperoning during trips. Work includes multiple activities and services with varying deadlines and priorities.  Some lifting up to 40 lbs. Driving is required.

Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities

Academic Advisement of UB Students

• Provide academic, career, and college admission advising to Upward Bound participants.
• Provide appropriate disciplinary actions when necessary.
• Develop an individual academic plan (IAP) for participants in a designated grade level including transcript evaluation, academic and extracurricular activity advising, and social/personal/academic intervention.
• Perform transcript evaluations to determine student college readiness in regard to CSU and UC admission criteria.
• Maintain weekly office hours at one or more of the target schools (which include Oakland High Schools and/or Richmond High Schools).
• Administer College Seminar Sessions during UB Saturday College
• Act as a substitute as needed during UB Saturday College
• Provide financial aid counseling to UB students and families.

Administrative Program Support

• Act as the liaison between the program and parents, target school personnel, community representatives, and post-secondary institutions.
• Coordinate and facilitate academic support programs including advising, workshops, assessment, and follow-up as well as resource referral.
• Monitor and record attendance and academic performance of students and assist the Office Manager in the management of information in the database to ensure compliance with the Department of Education's regulations.
• Assist with all aspects of the planning of the Summer Residential Enrichment Program; this includes an onsite residence with students for a designated period of time.
• Develop, plan, and chaperone activities, events, field trips, and college tours.
• Attend weekly staff meetings.
• Dedicate ongoing attention to personal professional development and remain current with the U.S. Department of Education's regulations regarding TRiO Programs to ensure compliance with grant requirements.

Program Recruitment

• Recruitment efforts: conducting regular oral presentations at target schools, community events, and other relevant outreach programs.
• Assist with interviewing potential participants and ensure all participants meet the necessary eligibility requirements as established by the U.S. Department of Education.

 Other duties as assigned by Associate Director, Director, or Office Manager

Position Type

Additional Information

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.  

Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information.  

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Base Pay Rate: