TRIO Educational Talent Search Advisor-Coordinator

• JOB NUMBER: 519926

• CLASSIFICATION: Student Services Professional 3

• GRADE: Grade 79

• WORK TYPE: On Campus, Staff Full-time

• ADMINISTRATIVE UNIT: University of Alaska Anchorage

• SCHOOL/BUSINESS UNIT: UAA Office of the Provost

• LOCATION: Anchorage

• CATEGORIES:Academic Advising/Support, Education/Instructional, Student Affairs/Services

Position Summary:

Seeking an Advisor-Coordinator to join our TRIO Educational Talent Search (ETS) team! This is a full-time, grant funded position under the TRIO Pre-College Programs department (Upward Bound and ETS) at UAA. ETS serves low-income and potential first-generation college student populations in their preparation for and transition to postsecondary enrollment and completion. The ETS grant will serve 500 students annually in grades 9-12 within three Anchorage School District (ASD) high schools – Bartlett, West, and Bettye Davis East. This position will work closely with another ETS Advisor-Coordinator, with one ETS Advisor-Coordinator serving Bartlett and West high schools and the other serving Bettye Davis East high school. Each Advisor-Coordinator will have a caseload of 250 students. The ETS Advisor-Coordinator will also hold office hours on the UAA campus in addition to their respective high school assignments. Under the supervision of the TRIO Project Director and Assistant Director, the Advisor-Coordinator is responsible for the overall coordination and execution of direct services to ETS participants at area high schools. This position will identify, recruit and select eligible students for the ETS program, provide direct support services regarding the postsecondary enrollment process, and track student cohorts throughout high school and college. The Advisor-Coordinator will design and deliver educational and skill building workshops, coordinate career and college exploration opportunities, and provide individualized support to ensure secondary and post-secondary academic success and opportunity. Annual contract terms may fluctuate between 9.5 to 12 months, depending on funding. Preference will be given to candidates with personal experiences in overcoming barriers similar to those confronting Project participants.

Duties:

Supervision: • Conduct student worker, tutor, and mentor recruitment, selection, training, supervision and performance management/evaluation • Direct, motivate, and manage the diverse functions and activities of student staff • Ensure student staff compliance with best practices, program policies and regulations • Maintain confidentiality on a variety of sensitive issues

Program Compliance: • Ensure compliance with all aspects of the federally funded Talent Search Program grant and maintain alignment with the Plan of Operations • Assist with planning, development, and implementation of recruitment strategies • Identify, recruit, and select program participants • Assess each participants’ educational needs, potential to succeed in a postsecondary educational institution, and development of educational plans • • • Develop, coordinate and instruct academic, educational, financial aid, and skill building workshops • Collect, analyze, and maintain participant data to ensure academic progress and completion of grant objectives; report data to Director and other stakeholders • Utilize data management systems (such as Student Access, Banner, etc.) to track student information • Design and implement evaluation methods • Assist and support the TS Project Director with successful submission of reports required by the U.S. Department of Education and the University of Alaska Anchorage • Assist with data collection and preparation for submitting a grant proposal each competition cycle • Represent the TS program and UAA at conferences, within the Anchorage School District, and to congressional leaders • Serve as liaison between the Anchorage School District, UAA, students/families, community organizations, federal agencies • Collaborate with academic units and student services within the UA System, secondary and postsecondary schools, school district personnel, parents, and community organizations to create an environment for student success and to develop opportunities for students that align with the objectives of the program • Advocate for and raise awareness about the TS program • Attend meetings, trainings and conferences (which may require in-state and out-of-state travel) • Work some evenings, weekends, and overnights when necessary for student events or trips • Serve as an expert resource in the area of college access for first-generation and low-income students • Other duties as assigned

Site Location Oversight/Administration: • Independently develop and implement programming within individual site location for up to 250 program participants through one-on-one meetings and small groups • Conduct workshops and trainings for students and/or staff; and, oversee academic tutoring sessions weekly • Supervise academic year tutors • Develop and evaluate processes and procedures utilized at site location, and make recommendations for improvements; may approve exceptions to the normal course of business at the site location as needed • Assess programs and events offered and create special programs/events as needed to fulfill a documented need • Present at conferences, at UAA, to students and their families, or to community agencies • Provide advice and assistance in secondary and postsecondary course selection •Assist senior participants in registering for postsecondary courses and transitioning to college • Facilitate the scheduling of college advising appointments for graduating seniors • Expose students to college placement tests (Accuplacer, ACT, SAT) and facilitate test preparation • Assist participants with college admission and FAFSA applications • Provide education/counseling to improve financial/economic literacy for participants and parents • Coordinate annual college admissions research sessions and lead college admissions essay writing workshops for all grades levels • Help secure financial resources for students • Expose participants to cultural events, academic programs, and service learning opportunities • Maintain student confidentiality • Refer students to university and external resources as necessary

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• Experience in an educational setting providing assessment and academic support
• Experience managing groups of students
• Ability to balance needs of students with UAA, Talent Search and School District priorities and policies
• Knowledge of University system to be able to refer students to appropriate area for assistance
• Knowledge of best practices, federal and state laws and legal issues associated with and applicable to student services and higher education and secondary education
• Knowledge of the postsecondary entrance process and requirements                                                                                                • Knowledge of financial aid requirements and applications
• Knowledge of marketing/advertising/recruitment principles 
• Experience with program design, implementation and assessment                                                                                                    • Experience solving problems under pressure ability to troubleshoot situations to determine the best course of action
• Experience providing educational instruction
• Experience coordinating and facilitating career exploration activities and events
• Skills related to creating and providing large and small group presentations
• Understanding of recruitment and retention strategies
• Ability to positively represent the program with the highest degree of professionalism
• Ability to use research to inform practices
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to apply diplomacy
• Excellent listening and communication skills, both verbal and written, including advanced public speaking skills
• Demonstrated experience working with diverse student populations, specifically low-income and first generation
• Proficient in Word, Excel, Google applications and database management
• Excellent writing, editing and communication skills with the ability to make and execute dynamic presentations
• Ability to work as an influential part of a team and be a team leader who works well in groups and independently
• Strong planning skills, including the ability to anticipate tasks, set priorities, meet deadlines and function smoothly in fast-paced environment
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to work independently                                                                                                        • Ability to coordinate and manage multiple projects simultaneously                                                                                                    • Ability to form networks and work collaboratively with other systems, programs and individuals
• Knowledge of decision-making strategies and problem-solving skills
• High level of responsibility with a constant student safety mindset
• Ability to interpret information to determine placement
• Enthusiasm and energy
• Ability to occasionally travel and work weekends and evenings

TYPICAL EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum 3 years of experience working with at risk or underrepresented populations in secondary and/or post-secondary environments
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and a high level of teamwork/cooperation/collaboration, initiative, customer service and organizational skills
• Experience instructing, counseling, mentoring or supervising students
• Supervisory experience

REQUIRED EDUCATION OR TRAINING:

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Social Work, Psychology, Social Sciences, or closely related field. Advanced degree preferred.
• Current Alaska Driver’s License with good driving record.

 

This is a full-time, term-funded, Grade 79,  9.5 to 12-month position complete with competitive salary and UA employee benefits package.

*To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction.  Applicants who now or may in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the United States are not eligible.

 

Term Position:

This position is a term-funded position and is reviewed annually for contract renewal at the University's discretion.

Reasonable Accommodation Statement:

The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact UA Human Resources by phone at 907-450-8200.

Affirmative Action Statement:

UA is an AA/EO employer and educational institution and prohibits illegal discrimination against any individual: www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination

Background Check:

The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.

Probationary Period:

Pursuant to University Regulation 04.07.020, new employees of the University are employed in an at-will probationary status for the first six months of employment. During the probationary period, employment may be terminated for no reason or any reason. Promoted employees also serve a probationary period with limited rights of retreat.

Public Disclosure Statement:

Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.

University of Alaska is a Drug-Free Workplace.

University of Alaska campuses are Tobacco-Free.

Training Policy:

It is the policy of the University of Alaska (UA) that all employees are required to complete training to meet the requirements of the positions they hold, and to complete the required training within a specified period to remain employed at the UA.

Contact Information:

If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact University of Alaska HR at 907-450-8200.