Pre-College Academic Specialist - Upward Bound

Job Description Summary

This position is being hired through our temp partner, Spherion, and this advertisement will remain posted until the position is filled.

Santa Fe College’s Upward Bound (UB) is one of the Federal TRIO programs funded by the U.S. Department of Education and purposed with identifying and providing services to individuals who are first-generation and/or low-income high school students. Upward Bound’s focus is on identifying, selecting, enrolling, retaining, serving, and assisting low-income students, first-generation college students, and students at risk of academic failure. The major goals of Upward Bound are to increase the retention and graduation rates of program participants by providing them with support services that will help them progress academically to and through college.

The Pre-College Academic Specialist for Upward Bound will facilitate the provision of an array of student services such as supplemental instruction, tutoring, personal support/counseling, financial education, academic advising, mentoring, and study skills development. As the individual who handles the day-to-day delivery of services provided by Upward Bound, the Pre-College Academic Specialist under the coordination of the program coordinator, is accountable for the program’s success. This position will be scheduled for 20 hours weekly at the hourly rate of $20.41.

Job Description

Responsibilities and Duties Include:

• Identifies, recruits, and selects eligible program participants and provides personal, academic, financial, and career support services.
• Provides outreach to students through class presentations, college events, and other initiatives.
• Meets individually with students weekly for school visits, virtual visits, and phone calls to understand their academic and non-academic needs that may impact their integration, persistence, success, and graduation completion.
• Responds to at-risk reporting with appropriate student outreach, referral, and follow-up.
• Provides ongoing academic and career advisement, financial assistance, financial literacy, transfer pathways, tutoring, and study skill development to program participants.
• Assists in the recruitment, selection, and training of tutors, maintains tutoring schedules/sessions, and assists staff when needed.
• Understands college and university admission requirements and effectively connects students to facilitate effective and efficient enrollment admissions.
• Facilitates supplemental instructions, transfers and cultural visits, and resource development for and with students.
• Tracks, monitors, and maintains accurate records of student academic progress using the electronic database system.
• Partners with the TRIO Student Support Services for successful referral and application to the program within and outside of grant institutions.
• Assists the Coordinator in the evaluation process which includes annual performance reviews, annual reports, consultant visits, and grant submissions.
• Attends SF training and participates in collegewide committees, especially Trio-related training and Academic Advising Council meetings.
• Engages in ongoing professional development to maintain currency in the field.
• Develops and maintains relationships with internal and external constituents for appropriate referrals.
• Supervises and, when applicable, train work-study students.
• Complies with all published College Rules, procedures, guidelines, and laws/regulations governing public employees, including but not limited to those related to document retention and destruction, FERPA, and confidentiality.
• Strictly honors the privacy, security, and confidentiality of student records and other sensitive information according to appropriate state, federal, and college regulations, policies, and procedures.
• ­Provides service excellence through courteous, informed, accessible, and professional engagement.
• Performs other duties as assigned. 

Reports to: Coordinator, Upward Bound

QUALIFICATIONS

Required: An associate of arts degree with two (2) years of relevant experience working with at-risk high school or postsecondary students. Demonstrated success in overcoming barriers like those of the project's target population or prior experience working with this target population.

Preferred: A bachelor’s degree in psychology, guidance and counseling, social work, or a related field and experience working with low-income, first-generation, and post-secondary education student populations. Demonstrated success in overcoming barriers like those of the project's target population or prior experience working with this target population.

General Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to work successfully in a multi-cultural environment.
• Adaptability to Change – able to be flexible and supportive, able to positively and proactively assimilate change in rapid growth environment.
• Analytical Aptitude & Problem Solving - able to analyze information, problems, situations, practices and/or procedures, collect and interpret data, reason logically, establish facts, identify and define existing and potential issues, recognize the interrelationships among elements, draw valid conclusions, develop recommendations, as well as alternative courses of action, select appropriate course, follow up, and evaluate.
• Communication – able to effectively communicate in a professional, diplomatic, empathetic, and tactful manner using preferred method and level as applicable to the job.
• Critical Thinking & Judgement - able to make well-reasoned, sensible, and timely decisions based on careful, objective review and informed analysis of available information, considerations, and other factors.
• Customer Service – ability to respond promptly and courteously to all questions from students and faculty, demonstrating patience and persistence when helping students with little or no computer skills.
• Ethics – able to demonstrate integrity, professionalism, civility, and a high degree of ethics in all job-related actions.
• Organization & Time Management – able to plan, schedule, and organize tasks related to the job to achieve goals within or ahead of established time frames.
• Problem Solving – proven skills in identifying issues, determining their cause, developing creative solutions, and following through with implementing resolutions.
• Relationship Management – able to personally provide a high level of interactive service to others, building relationships and addressing identified needs.
• Results Orientation – proven ability to set and exceed established targets.
• Systems & Software - proficient level of knowledge of Microsoft Office and/or relevant position software programs.
• Detail Oriented - Proven accuracy and attention to detail.
• Multi-task - Ability to expeditiously organize, coordinate, manage, prioritize, and perform multiple tasks simultaneously to swiftly assess a situation, determine a logical course of action, and apply the appropriate response.

Application Process:  All applicants must submit a completed online SF application, a letter of intent, an up-to-date resume/curriculum vitae, and unofficial academic transcripts (if applicable) to be considered for this position. Unofficial transcripts are only accepted for review purposes, official transcripts are required prior to any offer of employment being made.

If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement.

Santa Fe College (SF) is committed to maintaining a work and educational environment that embraces diversity and where no member of the college community is excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subject to discrimination in any college program or activity based on: their race, ethnicity, national origin, color, religion, age, disability, sex, pregnancy status, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, genetic information, political opinions or affiliations, or veteran status. This commitment applies to employees, volunteers, students, and, to the extent possible, to third parties, applicants for admission, applicants for employment, and the general public. sfcollege.edu/eaeo

Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies or concerns about discrimination or harassment, including concerns about sexual harassment or sexual violence under Title IX, should be directed to: [email protected]

Santa Fe College reserves the right to extend deadlines and/or not to offer advertised positions. Preference will be given to eligible veterans and spouses of veterans.