Description
POSITION OBJECTIVE
The academic coordinator is responsible for developing, coordinating and implementing educational services for the Upward Bound Program, including academic and career advising, academic testing and college planning and placement in consultation with the program director and the assistant director for Upward Bound.
Building a welcoming and comprehensive community is the foundation of the work we do as professionals working with students. Fully including people of various backgrounds and perspectives helps us all thrive by working together, focus on our collective well-being and help students gain insight from their academic endeavors and real-world experiences.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Provide counseling and educational advising services to participants, including academic, career and personal counseling and advising on an individual basis. Enter all student contacts into the Blumen database. (12%)
Develop and complete an individual educational plan (IEP) for each participant; monitor and make modifications as needed. (8%)
Monitor, evaluate and plan curriculum for participants who have not passed the Tenth Grade Ohio State Test (OST). Identify, target and plan special program activities for both male and female participants to address special needs. (8%)
Work with staff in planning, implementing, evaluating and chaperoning cultural, motivational and other educational activities; including personal growth and development sessions and college visitations within the confines of the Upward Bound budget and in consultation with the program director. (8%)
Maintain the records of and monitor participants' academic progress in the Upward Bound Program from the target secondary schools, including grades and testing. (7%)
Conduct recruitment meetings in target high schools, interviews with perspective participants and parent/guardian orientation. Follow-up and track former program participants and update retention and placement information. (7%)
Work with assistant director in coordinating annual calendar for program activities and events for the academic year and summer enrichment program. (8%)
Provide academic and career services to participants, including conducting and interpreting individual academic diagnostic tests and personal inventories to assist participants in identifying interests, aptitudes and abilities. (7%)
Supervise, train and evaluate summer staff (9 to 12 staff) in collaboration with the assistant director. (7%)
NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
In collaboration with the assistant director, plan, implement and coordinate college planning and placement activities for twelfth grade participants to ensure college acceptance and receipt of financial aid. (5%)
Gather data for the annual performance report, annual report to the university and the grant. (5%)
Work on search committees with the program and assistant director to select summer staff (instructor and summer staff). (5%)
Enforce adherence of program rules/policies during summer hours. (5%)
Serve as liaison to two of the target schools (Cleveland Metropolitan Schools) served by the program. (5%)
Teach high school senior college "First Year Experience" classes during the summer component for program bridge participants. (3%)
CONTACTS
Department: Weekly contact with Assistant Director to discuss work plan goals and objectives. Weekly/biweekly with Program Director and other TRIO Office staff members to discuss overall departmental operations.
University: Weekly contact with academic departments, general counsel, financial aid, registrar, admissions and campus and dining services for programming purposes.
External: Weekly contact with target school personnel to determine effectiveness and any changes in service needed.
Students/Participants: Daily contact with participants to ensure all contacts are made with participants as mandated by the Department of Education.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
This position involves responsibility for working with individuals under 18 years of age (program participants are high school students).
QUALIFICATIONS
Experience: 2 years of experience working with youth from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Education/Licensing: Bachelor's degree in education, sociology/social work, psychology or related field. Valid Ohio driver's license. Master's degree preferred.
REQUIRED SKILLS
Experience in teaching and/or counseling students. Experience in curriculum development, academic advising and academic planning and evaluation. Demonstrated knowledge and ability to work with, relate to and advise disadvantaged and under-prepared high school students.
General knowledge of assessing students in the development and evaluation of progress of individual education plans (IEP) is preferred.
Demonstrated ability to organize and carry out structured tasks, programs and events.
Good verbal and written skills.
Knowledge of/familiarity with Microsoft Office and database systems (i.e., Blumen Database) is preferred.
Aptitude to quickly learn computing systems and apply those skills critical to the successful tracking of student information in the fulfillment of the grant objectives.
Commitment to working with varied groups of individuals, including age, race, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, socioeconomic and educational background and ability.
Demonstrated history of successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest.
Ability to meet consistent attendance.
Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face to face.
WORKING CONDITIONS
The employee will work with 9th through 12th grade students in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District and Euclid High School. The employee will be required to drive while on the job to travel to different schools. Some weekends and late nights are scheduled depending on program activities.
Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS
Experience: 2 years of experience working with youth from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Education/Licensing: Bachelor's degree in education, sociology/social work, psychology or related field. Valid Ohio driver's license. Master's degree preferred.
