Academic Coordinator- SOAR

Job Summary:

Assist the Project SOAR Program Manager in carrying out essential program services to participants from the OSU-OKC campus. Responsible for empowering and guiding first generation college, under-resourced, and disabled students with academic and personal tools and skills that will help them persist in college until attaining a bachelor’s degree. Co-Advise Student Leaders of Tomorrow (SLT), an OSU-OKC student organization, and oversee the program Peer Mentors.

Essential Job Functions:

• Assists in the development, implementation, evaluation, and management of student peer mentors. This includes training, hiring, managing hours, etc.
• Participate in selecting and accessing new participants which includes conducting individual intake sessions to collect appropriate student documentation and to develop and establish individualized learning plans for each participant.
• Conducts on-going sessions individually and through workshops on academic, career, transfer, and study skills, in addition to financial aid, financial literacy and personal issues. Documents on-going student contact logs via computerized database (Student Access).
• Will assist Senior Director and Program Manager with collecting program data for annual performance report, campus reports or for the Project SOAR grant.
• Assists in the coordination of SOAR’s social media (Facebook, etc.), Engage, text message, and email correspondence to students on a daily and weekly basis.
• Responsible for oversight of peer mentors used for program including but not limited to the hiring, evaluation, scheduling, disciplinary, budget, etc. with from the Senior Director.
• Makes intervention calls and/or email contacts twice a semester to address needs.
• Refer participants to outside agencies and locations of support if SOAR resources or OSU-OKC campus resources are unable to meet the participant’s needs.
• In conjunction with the Senior Director and SOAR Program Manager serve as liaison to the college, local community, and target transfer schools in order to inform them of program activities and participant accomplishments.
• Serve on college and professional committees as requested by Program Manager or Senior Director.
• In conjunction with the Program Manager coordinates the on-going operation of co-advising the Student Leaders of Tomorrow (SLT) or any other student organization associated with SOAR by assisting the student officers manage general meetings, executive board meetings, fundraisers, events, and budget.
• Assists in the on-going evaluation of the effectiveness of the program’s services and monitoring of all program objectives, participant retention, and activities.
• Maintain contact with transfer specialists from four-year institutions to stay up to date on transfer and scholarship information.
• Assists students in academic, career and enrollment advising.
• Work with SOAR Peer Mentors to develop and implement new strategies for outreach, retention, persistence, and graduation for special populations.
• Completes all mandatory training and participates in a minimum of two professional development workshops each year including state, regional, and national TRIO meetings/programs as appropriate.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
  
  

The duties listed in this job description are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Resume and cover letter are required for full consideration. Official transcripts will be required upon hire.

Education & Experience

Position Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in education, sociology, counseling, psychology, social work, human relations, or related field of study.

Work Experience:

• Experience serving populations eligible for Project SOAR services.
• Minimum two years working in post-secondary student services area.
• Familiarity with matrix of participants in the target area.
• Minimum one year experience required in transfer advisement, leadership training, study skills enhancement, and social-interpersonal development.
  
  

Certifications &/or Licenses:

• Valid Oklahoma Driver’s License and ability to drive a 15-passenger vehicle
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to communicate diplomatically, clearly, and effectively, both verbally and in writing to exchange information, give/receive instructions and respond to inquiries appropriately.
• Strong organization and planning skills with the ability to handle multiple tasks and prioritize effectively with high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
• High degree of initiative to work independently and collaborate in a team environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills and sensitivity to an academic environment in an effort to work and communicate effectively with all students, faculty, staff and community partners.
• Public speaking ability and skills; must be able to develop and deliver presentations, workshops, and seminars to participants, peers, and the general public.
• Familiarity with cultural/socioeconomic matrix of the target area.
• Demonstrated knowledge of office technologies including but not limited to: office computers, fax machines, scanners, internet, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Ability to organize information and schedules, and experience advising/counseling students on educational issues.
• Ability to handle confidential information discreetly in a busy student-centered office.
• Possess a positive open-minded attitude and have the ability to work closely with diverse student enrollment and skill levels.
• Understanding of higher education enrollment procedures including but not limited to: admissions, academic advising, Financial Aid, FAFSA, OK Promise and transfer equivalencies.
• Understanding of Parliamentary procedures and leadership skills for co-advising the Student Leaders of Tomorrow student organization.
• Passion for assisting customers and representing the OSU-OKC and OSU brand with positivity and professionalism.
• Demonstrated history of ethical and professional behavior.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications.

• TRIO Experience
• Master’s Degree
• Educational grant writing experience
  
  

Environmental Conditions:

• Work will be performed in an office environment with a significant amount of public contact, in person, by telephone, via email, and various communication platforms.
• Must be able to work flexible hours to include some nights and weekends.
• In-state travel to include exposure to outside conditions as relates to program cultural events, activities and trainings. Occasional overnight stay may be required.
• Occasional out-of-state travel staff training and cultural trips with students.
• Most Fridays will involve accompanying students to cultural events, campus transfer visits, or student field trips.
  
  

Physical Requirements:

• Duties require extended periods of sitting, talking and listening.
• Duties require extensive use of computers, telephone and other office equipment.
• Requires possible lifting of up to 25 lbs. (If an object weights more than 45 lbs., OSU-Oklahoma City requires this to be a two-person lift).
• Driving car or van of students to and from student events.
  
  

The work environment and physical demands described here are representative of those required by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job with or without reasonable accommodations.

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Oklahoma State University (OSU) strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, OSU conducts pre-employment background checks on final candidates. Offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal (felony and misdemeanor) history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the university, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.