College Success Ambassador

The GEAR UP College Success Ambassador will serve to inspire and mentor GEAR UP students in high schools and colleges located in the Tri-Cities region to pursue a college education. The ideal candidate exemplifies what the GEAR UP program strives to accomplish through its objectives. Having proven the ability to succeed in university-level coursework, the Ambassador also serves as a liaison advocating student success strategies to GEAR UP staff. This position will challenge their knowledge and understanding of the college-going process.

Responsibilities & Duties: Provide guidance and mentoring, and workshops related to college success including but not limited to; FAFSA/WASFA process, college application and scholarship essays, student success skills, research and internship opportunities, and leadership involvement. Will also help with administrative paperwork and clerical assignments such as creating, completing, organizing and coordinating workshops and outreach efforts. Support outreach campaigns that involve gathering student stories and capturing programming. Support coordinator with coordinating workshops, student services, mentoring programs, and outreach events.

Demonstrate first-hand experience and/or knowledge in college readiness and student success, first year experiences in college, and campus involvement.

Examples include:

• Running Start/College in the High School/Tri-Tech
• GEAR UP, AVID, Upward Bound, MESA, 21CCLC, etc.
• First year college experience and student success tools
• Campus resources and expanding networks
• Getting involved with clubs, leadership and activities on campus for success
• How to stay engaged over summer prior to start of college
• Create student-friendly documents, forms, flyers, brochures, handouts, booklets, posters, banners, graphics, videos, etc., that relay guidance in successfully becoming college-ready. Must use consistent design themes in accordance with WSU branding.
• Provide mentorship to high school and college students and assist in coordinating the summer transition events.
• Construct presentations using digital media that display all components of applying to college, paying for college, choosing a major, and establishing a career pathway.

Requirements:

• AA degree or two years of college
• Currently enrolled in college or recent graduate
• Campus clubs and/or leadership experience (preferred)
• Participation in GEAR UP services (preferred)
• Self-motivated and enthusiastic about achieving goals related to higher education
• Pursuing a college or technical degree, such as marketing, computer science, business, digital technology, communication, or a related career field.
• Advanced skills using Microsoft Office and/or Google Suite
• Proficient and experienced in photo and document editing software
• Exceptional written & oral communication skills
• Ability to work independently and collaborate in a team setting
• Highly effective organizational skills and attention to detail
• Current and up-to-date techniques that engage high school students with educational subject matter aimed to prepare them for college

• Background Check: This position has been designated by the department to require a background check because it requires access to children or vulnerable adults as defined by RCW 74.34, engages in law enforcement, requires security clearance, interacts with WSU students in a counseling or advising capacity, has access to personal identifying and/or financial information, unsupervised access to university buildings/property, or other business-related need. A background check will not be completed until an initial determination of qualification for employment has been made.
• WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EDUCATOR AND EMPLOYER. Members of ethnic minorities, women, special disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam-era, recently separated veterans, and other protected veteran, persons of disability and/or persons age 40 and over are encouraged to apply.
• WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Position Location and Wage:

This position is 12-15 hours/week with 6 hours spent physically onsite at the main GEAR UP office located at 3100 George Washington Way, Richland WA. With 6 hours spent physically onsite across various high schools (Kiona Benton, Riverview, Columbia, Pasco, Chiawana, Prosser, Mabton, Connell) and college sites (Columbia Basin College and WSU Tri-Cities). Hourly employees can work up to 19 hours a week to support additional offsite events.

Starting Wage is $17.28/hour

Application Process:

Applicant Screening Date: Multiple positions available, this position is open until filled. Applications received by April 26, 2024, will receive first consideration.

If interested, please email the following to adriana.aranda@wsu.edu:

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• 2 references

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: From $17.28 per hour

Work Location: In person

Salary : $17