Careers

Position Overview

This federal grant-funded position is a specialist in college access and readiness programming and development for first generation and low income high school-aged youth. This position is responsible for leading initiatives designed to prepare and influence participants towards high school graduation, college matriculation and college completion.  This positions recruits, mentors and directly advises a caseload of diverse high school youth utilizing an intrusive and proactive approach; initiates engagement with participants, families and community partners to influence change in student performance; develops interventions to turnaround behavior and positive college readiness skill development. . This position initiates, plans and leads program projects, events and local and national youth travel including annual college tours, service trips and leadership conferences. This position represents the program and students at the assigned school, directly liaises with school administration and initiates advocacy in the school to ensure access to equitable and appropriate educational services for students. This position instructs two non-credit post-secondary readiness and planning classes. This position works both independently and collaboratively with TRIO leadership team and reports to the program director.

Job Responsibilities

Project & Event Development and Leadership (40%)

• Develop and lead new and existing projects, events and initiatives for high school-aged youth, including workshops, curriculum, co-curricular activities and other cohort-appropriate activities to lead students toward academic excellence, high school graduation and college admission.
• Initiate, plan and lead high-school youth on multi-day, overnight college and service trips and leadership conferences, assessing and meeting the specific needs of each year’s cohort
• Design and disseminate a variety of publications, materials, communications to program stakeholders
• Develop, analyze, and report programs’ and initiatives’ evaluation and assessment results
• Initiate, coordinate and/or participate in all efforts to publicize promotion of TRIO Upward Bound programs, services and outcomes to appropriate stakeholders
• Create and manage program and activity budgets to ensure spending compliance with University and federal regulations and policies.
• Responsible and accountable for the emotional and physical safety of youth during program services; comply with UMN Safety to Minors policy, protection of minors mandatory reporting mandates and other federal, state and city regulations for serving youth.
• Initiate outreach to community partners and stakeholders and develop relationships with school administrators, counselors, athletic staff, college and career advisors and relevant community partners.
• Manage, supervise, and provide performance feedback to undergraduate college student academic and office support staff.
• Represent program in schools, University and community partner organizations. Develop effective working relationships, maintain good public relations, leverage partnerships to advocate on behalf of participants, and refer participant to appropriate services/parties.
• Effectively advocate for disadvantaged students in schools & community. Actively seeking equal accessibility to otherwise unobtainable services.
• Represent program with local and school-based College Access Networks meetings and influence secondary school college readiness agendas, services, and design.
• Develop and deliver in-school educational programs and workshops as appropriate.

College Readiness Advising (35%)

• Assist in designing and implementing a timely student recruitment process, including direct student recruitment within target school(s), with commitment to the recruitment and retention of diverse students who meet federally mandated and program specific admissions criteria.  Tailor recruitment process annually to broaden the audience of students and families at target high schools.
• Directly advise a caseload of diverse high school youth in personal and academic matters related to college preparation, utilizing an intrusive and proactive approach (home visits may be required).
• Implement, manage, and evaluate an effective student caseload management system to ensure the retention and academic success of participants in accordance with program objectives.
• Initiate engagement with participants, families and community partners to influence behavior change.
• Analyze student needs and respond with an appropriate referrals and/or actions plans.
• Advocate, in target school, ensure equitable access to educational services and opportunities.
• Monitor student performance and recommend alternative solutions and activities to overcome barriers.
• Mentor students to build skills to overcome educational and other systemic barriers.
• Meet and maintain communication with parents/guardians to inform and intervene on student progress.
• Ensure compliance with mandatory reporting state regulations, Title IX, FERPA and other regulations protecting minors and vulnerable populations
• Provide regular contact and tracking of all interactions with high school youth through regular office hours, thorough case notes and development of performance contract.
• Keep current on college admissions, housing and financial aid processes, timelines, requirements and best practices for first generation, low income and culturally diverse students.

Post-Secondary Education Instruction (20%)

• Leadc ollege planning and exploratoration classes to educate students regarding process for submitting applications for college admission, scholarships, FAFSA and housing.  Support students in securing viable college-going plans.
• Assesse student post-secondary education (PSE) programming and curriculum, and recommend appropriate alternatives/options.
• Revise, update, document and assess weekly and daily classroom lesson plans.
• Write recommendation letters, provide feedback and editing support for student college and scholarship applications, essays and resumes.
• Record, track, and report student PSE planning progress, assignment completion and class attendance in accordance with federal regulations.

Other (5%)

• Contribute to staff planning initiatives and staff meetings.
• Participate in professional development, with a focused commitment of gaining perspective in diverse backgrounds, effective communication, and issues in accessibility.
• Keep current with developments in the field, and continue personal development in the field.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in education, social work, youth development, family social science, psychology, sociology, or related experience with at least 3 years of work experience.
• Experience in Microsoft office suite.
• Experience advising one-on-one and/or in group settings.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record
• Must have access to reliable transportation.
• Finalist must be able to accommodate evening, overnight and weekend hours.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license with the ability to drive a 15-passenger van and successfully complete a motor vehicle/driving record history check.

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum of one year experience performing work relating to planning, coordinating, and leading events, such as educational workshops or field trips (inclusive in the years of related experience listed above).
• Demonstrated experience working with low-income and/or first generation individuals and/or communities.
• Demonstrated experience working in a diverse educational setting in an urban area.
• Knowledge of or experience working with Minneapolis Public High Schools.
• Experience with classroom instruction and curriculum development, preferably at the high school level.
• Comprehensive knowledge of high school graduation requirements and post-secondary planning, college admission and financial aid processes.
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills.
• Experience with database software, specifically Blumen, Microsoft Office software, and Google applications.
• Ability to adapt to a changing environment and handle multiple priorities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to speak a foreign language – Spanish, Hmong, Oromo, Amharic, or Somali.
• Personal experience with and a demonstrated understanding of the issues affecting the TRIO eligible population. Consideration given to individuals with experience overcoming academic, economic, and/or social obstacles to success.