Working Hours: 

Working hours for this position consist of a maximum of 37.5 hours per week. The working schedule for this position may fluctuate daily and includes day and evening hours as necessitated by program needs.

The employee may be required to work additional evening and weekend hours with the employee having the option to work these additional hours in addition to or in lieu of regular hours.

Summary:

The full-time federally funded position of Upward Bound Advisor reports to the Director of Upward Bound and has the responsibility of working with high school students in the following capacities: college admissions, academic study skills, career awareness and financial aid. In addition, the advisor works closely with the director on other aspects of the job including assisting and coordinating the six week summer program and other duties assigned. This is not a remote work opportunity.

Travel Requirements:

Position requires travel, more frequent at times. Must have own reliable transportation to shuttle / accompany students on trips and willingness and ability to drive a minivan rental for larger groups of students when needed.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Read the Upward Bound proposal and become an expert on all of the components and requirements.
• Identify, recruit, interview, and recommend selection of participants in accordance with USDE requirements; assess individual participant’s needs.
• Meet with participants individually or in small groups as required (biweekly during the academic year; weekly in summer session) to review personal needs, goals, and grades; monitor progress; refer to tutoring as necessary.
• Plan and carry out overnight trips to cultural/educational centers and colleges during summer session and during academic year utilizing your own personal car, rental minivan or professional transportation service to transport and accompany students as needs dictate.
• Organize USDE-required outreaches to secure males for the project according to the GEPA plan.
• Set up internships with area businesses; conduct workshops on resume writing, interviewing skills, etiquette, and attire.
• Assist seniors in selecting majors and colleges and completing required applications;  drive seniors           to 3 - 4 colleges each or accompany using professional transportation service as needs dictate.
• Complete the FAFSA and CSS profile with individual families; review financial aid packages from colleges.
• Refer graduates to Student Support Services or Act 101 projects at the colleges they will attend; obtain follow-up authorizations; monitor UB alumni college progress.
• Maintain documentation of activities and participant records; prepare reports for target school.
• Coordinate with guidance counselors, teachers, and personnel at target school.
• Communicate with all students via social media.
• Collect and update data for the Upward Bound APR (Annual Performance Report).
• Other job-related duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:                                            

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience:                                            

Bachelor's Degree in Education, Liberal Arts, Psychology, Student Services, Sociology or other related discipline. Minimum of two years’ experience in educational, public service or Upward Bound-related activities. Bilingual in Spanish and English preferred. Familiarity with educational and guidance tests and measurement instruments is helpful. Background in or sensitive to the needs of low-income, first-generation youth and adults is mandatory. Personal experience in overcoming obstacles to education is preferred.

NOTE: PA State Police Criminal Record Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance, and FBI Criminal background checks are required.

Communication Skills:                                            

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.  Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.  Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of students, faculty, staff, and the general public.

Mathematical Skills:                                                

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. 

Reasoning Ability:                                                   

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Computer Skills:                                                      

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have the ability to use Internet software, Spreadsheet software and Word Processing software.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

Valid PA Driver’s License

Other Skills and Abilities:                                                  

Demonstrated sensitivity to individuals with diverse special needs. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in written form. Demonstrated effective record keeping skills.

Other Qualifications:                                              

Outstanding organizational skills. Ability to establish and maintain positive relationships with a diverse student population.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, to sit and to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to walk and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision and ability to adjust focus.

Employee is required to go on college tours, walking on uneven terrain including hills potentially and up and down stairs for 1 to 1 ½ hours at a time.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.