Educational Advisor
Position: Educational Advisor
Salary: DOE
Application Deadline: August, 4th 2021
Applications are now being accepted for two Educational Advisors. Ideal candidates will have thorough knowledge of college going processes, be comfortable making phone calls and having conversations via phone, and be willing to go above and beyond to provide outreach to students. Participants in this project seldom come to the advisor, and intrusive outreach is necessary to provide the critical supports the program is designed to provide. This is an in-person position with very limited telework. In-person work will proceed in accordance with state health and safety guidelines.
This is a full-time 1.0 FTE (40 hours per week), overtime-eligible project position with The Evergreen State College. This position is grant funded through August 31, 2022.
Position Purpose:
Under the supervision of the Director of Upward Bound – Clover Park, this position is responsible for advising a caseload of students and coordinating the after school, virtual, and weekend programming. The Upward Bound target high school is located in Lakewood, Washington. This position promotes high school academic achievement and post-secondary success for program participants, particularly in the STEM fields. This requires a student-centered approach, strong organizational abilities, and collaboration with other Upward Bound staff. Coordination with other programs and organizations, such as non-profit organizations, colleges, universities, businesses, community-based organizations, social service agencies and most importantly, target school staff and administration, is required. Position requires commuting between work sites, including but not limited to Evergreen, schools, agencies, and cultural events.
This position is responsible for recruiting, retaining, and advising the participants in the program. Keeping the Director informed of program and student progress is required. This position will also support other Upward Bound activities, including special events, recognition programs, and assisting with data collection and is required to coordinate, participate, and support all project events, such as field trips, summer learning institute, enrichment activities, and Saturday School.
About Clover Park Upward Bound Programs
The Clover Park Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math Science programs, at The Evergreen State College, are educational enrichment programs that promotes high school achievement and participation in post-secondary education among low-income and first generation-to-college high school students. Clover Park Upward Bound is one of three Evergreen Upward Bound programs. During the academic school year Upward Bound provides tutoring, afterschool workshops, Saturday school, and overnight fieldtrips during the weekend and school breaks. Programming content is rooted in academic support, cultural exploration, health and wellness, and college readiness. Clover Park Upward Bound serves 120 students during the academic school year. The programs are 100% federally-funded and all positions and activities are dependent on continued federal funding.
Responsibilities: Under the direct supervision of director, the Educational Advisor will:
- Build rapport and mentor participants throughout their high school and post-secondary education.
- Plan, monitor, and coordinate college readiness programming after school in collaboration with other Upward Bound staff and community partners.
- Strategically recruit participants to participate in all aspects of programming, including new TRiO eligible participants for the programs.
- Effectively utilize technology to engage and support program participants.
- Analyze, evaluate, and promote participant progress through assessment, individual consultation, grade review, and progress reports. Progress includes high school academics, college and career readiness, as well as socioemotional growth.
- Advise and advocate for participants individually and in groups in areas related to educational success and higher education, such as study skills, time management, college testing, college application, career planning, and financial aid information.
- Develop essential tools to provide a venue that will impart strategies, information, and educational opportunities to parents, including college admissions and financial aid.
- Refer participants to social and health services in the target areas, when needed.
- Collaboratively plan community activities, workshops, and trainings to support student’s college awareness throughout the year and in summer programs.
- Provide and participate in academic enrichment and education, career planning and recreational activities, such as tutoring, summer residential experience, Saturday School, college campus visits, college fairs, workshops, career explorations, cultural events, camping, hiking, and team sports.
- Assist in the logistics of activity planning, such as accommodations, meals, event admissions, distributing and collecting parent permission forms,
- Gather documents from students as evidence for completing college applications, FAFSA completion, and Scholarship applications for assessment and for the annual performance report for U.S. Department of Education in Washington, D.C.
- Assist with the preparation of the Annual Performance Report.
- Work closely with school personnel and other Upward Bound staff to design and implement effective academic intervention strategies for participants.
- Supervise program participants in sponsored activities, including the bus ride, evening, weekend and overnight activities.
- Maintain participant files and information in database, including collecting information and imputing contact information, transcripts, and student statistics for Annual Performance Report.
- Assess individual student’s needs and implement individual action plans designed for Upward Bound participants.
- Attend Upward Bound staff meetings, trainings, and professional development.
- Be available for students (i.e., zoom office hours, drop-ins, etc.)
- Organize and file program records.
- Provide support to the Evergreen community through participation on committees and attending events.
- Other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Strong interpersonal and written communication skills and enthusiasm for working with adolescents and young adults, including ability to work collaboratively with high school officials, parents, and students.
- Ability to effectively recruit and retain program participants through strategic and creative means.
- Ability to perform work duties in person (and remotely if necessary), provide creative and culturally relevant programming for participants.
- Ability to provide services and activities that promote educational success, such as intrusive advising, tutoring, and providing SAT/ACT workshops, portfolio creation, admissions, and financial aid processes.
- Strong organization skills with ability to create and maintain a system of documentation to include confidentiality of program information, records, and student information.
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, including the ability to prioritize and complete high-quality work under pressure.
- Commitment to educational excellence for all low-income and first-generation students regardless of social backgrounds such as income level, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, physical ability, or religion and the ability to work effectively with people of diverse backgrounds.
- Understanding of strategies to address issues affecting educational success and college participation for first generation and low-income students.
- Understanding of best practices for effective academic intervention strategies for participants.
- Enthusiasm for on-going professional development to improve personal job and overall program performance; and ability to attend professional conferences in and out of state.
- Ability to research, understand, and summarize information regarding secondary education, post-secondary education, community resources, and events such as graduation requirements, course requirements, college admissions, financial aid, career pathways, and cultural events.
- Ability to move supplies such as snacks, drinks, camping equipment, and educational supplies.
- Proficiency with information technology, office software, and ability to learn new software programs.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree.
- At least one year of successful experience in an advisory, counseling, or outreach capacity serving students from disadvantaged or underrepresented populations in higher education.
Desired Qualifications
- Experience working in academic enrichment program for low-income youth such as Upward Bound, MESA, Upward Bound Math-Science, Education Talent Search, AVID, or HERO.
- Post-Secondary Degree in a field such as Education and STEM.
- Teaching/Instructional Experience
- Bilingual ability.
Conditions of Employment
- Must provide proof of identity and employment eligibility within three days of beginning work.
- This position is part of a bargaining unit and covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
- Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position.
- Must possess a valid driver’s license and be able to comply with the State of Washington Valid License to Drive and Driving Experience Statement.
- Must be able to travel, attend workshops/events, and work evenings and/or weekends.
- Must be able to move up to 25 pounds.
To apply submit:
- Resume
- Cover letter explaining interest, experience and skills to fulfill the position.
- Names, emails, and current phone numbers of three professional references
Application materials and questions can be sent to:
dawsonp@evergreen.edu
Please include your e-mail address on all your application materials. Candidates must successfully pass a background check