Upward Bound

About Central College

Central College of Pella, Iowa, is a private college known for its active student body, academic rigor, and athletics success. Our students learn collaboratively with supportive educators who share a commitment to intellectual engagement, personal growth, career readiness and civic involvement. Founded in 1853 and shaped by its Christian heritage, the college of 1,100 students participates in NCAA Division III athletics and is a member of the American Rivers Conference. Central is an active part of the Greater Des Moines region and just minutes from Lake Red Rock, Iowa's largest lake.

Job Description

The person in this position provides academic support and college access services to program participants in assigned high schools and performs assigned administrative functions related to the purpose and objectives of the program. This federally funded position reports to the associate director of UB in the Pre-College Programs Department. Time for the position is split between the Des Moines metro area and Pella area.

Main Responsibilities

• Provide individual and group meetings, events, and fieldtrips for students at assigned schools:
• Assist with UB program participant recruitment and selection
• Develop and deliver UB college access curriculum to participants at assigned schools
• Monitor and record participants' progress toward project objectives
• Provide academic, personal, and group advising for participants at Des Moines Public Schools 2-3 days a week during the academic year.
• Serve as advocate for participant needs at the target school by promoting tutoring opportunities, registration in rigorous coursework, etc.
• Actively participate in summer and academic year program planning/implementation:
• Attend staff meetings; complete program assessments as requested
• Contribute to curriculum review and development
• Participate in team planning/implementation of academic year and summer programs, activities, cultural events, fieldtrips, group college visits, and up to five Saturday workshops
• Provide leadership, supervision, and accountability during UB events and fieldtrips to ensure student well-being and event success
• Teach UB skills classes during the six-week summer session and related academic year workshop sessions as specified by the UB associate director
• Fulfill additional administrative roles as identified and assigned by the UB associate director. Assigned roles may vary from year-to-year depending on the needs of the program and the strengths of individual team members
• Maintain open and positive communication with parents of participants in assigned schools:
• Assist with basic planning for and attend parent information sessions
• Make parent contacts to provide college access and financial aid information or to offer additional assistance as necessary or as requested by the project director, associate director, or participants/parents
• Participate in school conferences, open houses, and other school events
• Maintain open and positive communication with target school personnel to secure/ensure:
• Provision of timely information to target school personnel regarding program activities and needs
• Meeting times/spaces, access to students, compliance with target school policies and practices
• Mutual exchange of information regarding participants' needs and progress
• Positive relationships with target school leadership and personnel
• Maintain accurate, timely paper and electronic records as required by the grant or as requested by the director or assistant director:
• Keep accurate records of student participation and progress
• Accurately enter related data into program database in a timely fashion
• Maintain accurate up-to-date records of personal time and effort
• Note: This position requires occasional evening or weekend hours during the academic year and extended hours during the six-week summer component.
• General responsibilities:
• Maintain confidentiality with respect to participants' academic and personal information
• Demonstrate commitment to personal professional growth
• Consistently demonstrate a positive attitude
• Must be open and adaptable to change
• Must work cooperatively and respectfully with others
• Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree
• Three years of experience in education, student development, counseling, or related field.
• Ability to effectively develop working teams.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
• Competence with professional use of digital/electronic communication and social media.
• Ability to work effectively with students from diverse backgrounds.
• Iowa driver's license - this position requires regular travel to assigned target schools.

Additional Information

• Central College is an equal opportunity employer and a drug/tobacco free workplace.
• A post-offer employment background check will be conducted.