Since 2017, Simpson University has administered Upward Bound grants in Siskiyou Co. in Shasta County and in Siskiyou County at various high school sites. This position announcement is to fulfill the job vacancy at one of those sites.
The role of the advisor is to work closely with the director and other project advisors to recruit a full cohort of 60 students meeting First-Generation and Low-Income thresholds while providing college readiness and career services. The services are administered through but not limited to teaching the Upward Bound curriculum, workshops, one-on-ones, college campus field trips (both day and overnight to weeklong trips), summer residential programs (three to five nights pending), and participating in cultural excursions. Topics related to the above modalities include but are not limited to assisting with entrance into post-secondary education, FAFSA/financial aid, developing an annual comprehensive work plan, working within the school system to deliver information regarding college admissions, career choices, study skills, field trip planning to visit college campuses and cultural excursions, and other college-related issues according to the plan and assisting with the summer residential program.
Along with these services, the advisor works with the director to achieve specific benchmark goals set by the federal Department of Education. The objectives include:
Students exceeding a 2.5 GPA.
Students pass or exceed state testing standards.
Students are promoted to the next grade.
Students graduating high school with a rigorous high school diploma (A-G);
Students enroll in college after they graduate.
Students earn an associate or bachelor's degree within six years of high school graduation.
Primary responsibilities include teaching and administrating curriculum to the Upward Bound cohort. Also, providing academic, career, and personal mentoring/advisement to program participants. Assist with student recruitment, collect/input/manage data in the Upward Bound database, field trip planning and supervision, and other duties as deemed appropriate by the Upward Bound director.
Links to learn more about Upward Bound and TRiO:
- TRiO: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/trio/index.html
- Upward Bound: https://www2.ed.gov/programs/trioupbound/index.html
General Expectations:
- Personal relationship with Jesus, a vibrant Christian faith, and a commitment to Christian community; capable of sharing faith and engaging in conversations about Christ.
- Demonstrate Simpson University Values in the performance of all duties.
- Maintain a lifestyle in accordance with Simpson University policy in the Staff Handbook.
- Maintain the confidentiality of information, data, and records. Properly use tact, diplomacy, discretion, and judgment.
- Demonstrate strong customer service skills in the performance of job duties.
- Demonstrate good organizational and communication skills in the performance of job duties.
- Supervises employees in accordance with Simpson University policies and procedures (for supervisory positions)
- Support the overflow needs of other departments within the respective university area.
- Perform other duties in accordance with this position as deemed necessary by the immediate supervisor.
Qualifications:
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Must maintain a valid CA driver's license
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Bachelor’s degree in education, liberal studies, psychology, or related field required. Master’s Degree and/or Teaching Credential preferred.
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Able to travel all day, single night, multiple nights, up to week-long for college-campus visits and professional development opportunities.
- Able to travel by car, bus, train, and airplane.
- Teaching/instructing, advising, tutoring, mentoring, or youth development experience serving large numbers of ethnically, linguistically, and/or economically diverse high school students.
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Comfortable with public speaking and knowledge of classroom management techniques.
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Willingness for Professional Development in job-related areas like college admissions, financial aid, STEM, leadership, data-driven decisions, and seminars on serving under-resourced students.
- Knowledge of Christian and Secular Higher Education admissions and financial aid policies and procedures and experience communicating them to a broad audience
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Experience with outreach efforts to increase educational achievement, specifically among students from diverse populations and language backgrounds, and familiarity and sensitivity to the academic, social, and emotional factors confronting them
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Communication skills to prepare and deliver oral presentations and prepare written reports, correspondence, proposals, program assessments, emails, and other materials for various audiences, ensuring compliance with departmental and university guidelines, practices, and principles.
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Interpersonal skills to interact with individuals of varying backgrounds to establish and maintain collaborative relationships
- Knowledge of both public schools (K-12) and the California systems of higher education (CCC, CSU, UC, and AICCU ), which includes knowledge of academic standards, administrative structure, faculty relations, school protocol, school communities, categorical funding, and the Master Plan of Education in California
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Initiative and ability to work independently.
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Ability to use and/or learn to use various technology tools such as Slack, Remind, Microsoft Teams, and the rest of the Microsoft Suite, Connect, Retain, Colleague, FileMaker Pro, and social media platforms.
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Knowledge of the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and ability to handle and work with confidential records and materials of minors
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Professional approach in carrying out multiple tasks while meeting deadlines and achieving measurable results.
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Ability to represent Simpson University well in a variety of professional settings.
Essential Functions:
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Develop an annual academic plan (IAP) for under-resourced First-Generation and/or Low-Income high school students.
- Assist with participant recruitment at targeted schools to help keep a full cohort of 60 students.
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Provide academic and career counseling, ensuring enrollment in the correct college preparatory coursework.
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Provide information regarding college admissions, financial aid, and career options; advise graduating seniors individually with the college application process.
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Work with participants to increase awareness of academic and personal strengths and challenges.
- Monitor participants' academic progress and motivation needed for admission into college.
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Serve as a resource person and refer participants to other appropriate services or offices for assistance, support, and guidance.
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Distribute necessary academic progress reports and evaluations to high school staff.
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Document participant services and contacts and maintain records and files in the Upward Bound database.
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Plan, organize, and implement campus visits by state and domestically, as well as to Simpson University campus.
Related Responsibilities:
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Recruit summer program participants
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Assist in the daily activities throughout the six-week residential program
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Ability to deliver all the above expectations, functions, and responsibilities via a virtual/remote platform if required.
Physical Requirements:
Upward Bound Project Advisor
Typical Working Conditions:
(Describe environment including exposure to heat, cold, fumes, chemicals, allergens, mold, etc.)
Indoors in a classroom teaching and advising groups of students per the Upward Bound curriculum. There are field trips approximately five times a year that will require long days of walking.
Equipment Used:
(List all manual and automated equipment used in the course of performing essential functions.)
Computer, laptop, iPad, 3D printer, easy to use robotics, scanner, copier, mouse, keyboard, stapler, 3-hole punch, letter opener.
Vehicle to be used when traveling – CA driver’s license required
Essential Physical Tasks:
(List all physical tasks encountered in performing essential functions - i.e. sitting for long periods of time using a computer, standing, climbing ladders, etc.)
Sitting at a computer for extended periods of time, climb residence hall stairs during summer program, walking for up to two hours for a college campus visit or cultural excursion.
Analysis of Physical Demands to Perform Essential Functions:
Key (Based on typical week):
N=Never
R=Rarely (Less than 1 hour per week)
O=Occasional (1%-33% of time)
F=Frequent (34%-66% of time)
C=Constant (over 66% of time)
Fingering (fine dexterity)
Handling (grasping, holding)
Repetitive Motion – Hands
Salary Range: $28.00 - $30.30 hourly
