Upward Bound Advisor

Overview
The Upward Bound Advisor plays a crucial role in supporting and guiding high school students from underrepresented backgrounds as they prepare for post-secondary education. This position involves providing academic advising, counseling, and resources to help students navigate their educational journey. The ideal candidate will possess strong communication skills and a passion for education, along with the ability to analyze student needs and develop tailored strategies for success.

Essential Responsibilities

50% Advising/Communicating/Reporting

• Advise/counsel students, parents, families, and the public on a wide variety of college admissions, career preparation and California (CSAC) and Federal (FAFSA/FSA) financial aid programs and regulations.
• Provide advice and assistance regarding standard practices based on confidential information from students regarding financial, medical, educational, social, and family background.
• Respond to changes in financial/personal circumstances of the financial aid recipients.
• Adhere to and provide a wide range of information and materials on available College and Career Options resources (e.g., College and Career Options Financial Aid Tools) through one-to-one contacts, public forums, visits/presentations to other educational institutions and meetings with prospective students and their families.
• Work as part of a team with high school administration, counselors and teachers.
• Serve as a recognized specialist for college admissions and financial aid.
• Cultivate and maintain a broad range of working relationships with students, staff, academic personnel, officials of external agencies and the public.
• Assist with participant recruitment and help establish a high standard of student participation and expectations.
• Collaborate with grant partners to deliver workshops to prepare participants for college including but not limited to information on college and career, financial aid, social-emotional learning, communication, and matching careers to personality.

50% Records Processing/Program Support

• Accurately maintain and update all records.
• Manage collection and evaluation of program data.
• Design, plan, and implement programs directed towards 9th - 12th grade students.
• Develop and implement goals and priorities for expansion of the program.
• Establish cooperative relationships with other outreach programs and campus units to enhance the administration and delivery of programs and special projects.
• Prepare reports for evaluation of program outcomes and effectiveness.
• Interpret federal regulations and program policies to participants, parents and staff at target schools.
• Serve as chief program liaison with contact personnel at target schools.
• Review all information and materials submitted to ensure students are applying for all financial aid for which they are eligible.
• Provide general office and specialized program support to meet operational needs of the organization.
• Assist in the planning and implementation of a robust Upward Bound summer program.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• This is a grant-funded position. As such it is subject to annual renewal. This renewal is at the sole discretion of College and Career Options.
• Primary place of work is Shasta County.
• This is typically a 40-hour-per-week position. * Days and hours of work are typically Monday through Friday (not necessarily every day), between the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm, however, the position requires the ability to work a flexible schedule, to work occasional evenings/nights, to work occasional overtime, to have varied lunch hours and to work occasional weekends and/or holidays.
• Vacation time may be restricted during peak periods.
• Travel is occasionally required for this position.
• This requires the ability and means to travel as needed, and proof of liability and property damage insurance on any vehicle used for travel.
• A valid CA driver’s license is required.

Work Environment

• This job operates in a professional office environment or at an educational institution.
• This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, fax machines and filing cabinets.

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience and/or formal training in college admissions, career preparation and financial aid principles, practices and processes.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education or equivalent years of experience serving in a high school setting.
• Communication skills to clearly and effectively communicate with individuals and groups of varying ages and cultural backgrounds to disseminate information, resolve problems and/or clarify situations.
• Skill to analyze, interpret, evaluate and apply federal/state/university policies.
• Experience and skill to analyze and evaluate technical and non-technical program requirements, information or problems in an objective manner and make logical conclusions.
• Communication skills to prepare written reports, proposals, correspondence, assessments, email, and other materials for a variety of audiences.
• Experience providing customer service to a culturally diverse constituency.
• In-depth knowledge of college admissions and financial aid policies and procedures affecting student issues and confidentiality of records and information.
• Knowledge of fundamental school and academic program principles and standards (admissions, registration, financial aid, gift acceptance, graduation requirements, etc.) to make effective judgments.
• Ability to develop innovative solutions and programs, attempt difficult and unfamiliar projects/assignments and respond with flexibility to requests for assistance in problem-solving and program development and/or refinement.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite and publishing software to create event materials and support events.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Initiative and ability to work cooperatively and effectively as part of a team.
• Skills to analyze and evaluate technical and non-technical program requirements, information, or problems in an objective manner and make logical conclusions; to provide a sound basis for establishment of priorities, selection of appropriate courses of action for pursuit or recommendations to others, and to resolve conflicts. Preferred Qualifications:
• Maintain a credential to work in CA public schools.
• Knowledge of academic advising.

Additional Eligibility Qualification

• The person filling this position is a mandatory reporter for known or suspected child abuse and the position requires that a statement acknowledging this requirement to report child abuse be signed.
• Selected candidate must pass a criminal history background check and/or a fingerprinting check.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $24.00 - $26.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• Paid time off

Schedule:

• Extended hours
• Monday to Friday
• Nights as needed
• Weekends as needed

Ability to Commute:

• Burney, CA 96013 (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $24 - $26