Career Center

About the Job:

The TRIO Upward Bound Vision Quest (UBVQ) program is a federally funded college preparatory program for low-income and potential first-generation high school students. UBVQ serves a total of 135 students at Minneapolis Edison, Roosevelt, South, and Wellstone International High Schools, and at Duluth Denfeld High School.

Upward Bound Vision Quest Academic Advisors are professional-level staff responsible for promoting the program in our target high schools, and providing key educational services, mentorship, and support to students. The UBVQ Academic Advisor position also includes recruiting participants at the Advisor’s assigned target school each year, providing assistance in developing new program curriculum, planning events, gathering and analyzing feedback on program implementation, cultivating and maintaining relationships with target schools, local colleges and universities, and community organizations, and providing support to other project staff as needed. This posting is to fill an Academic Advisor vacancy at Duluth Denfeld High School.

Duties:

(55%) Provide Academic Advising, key educational services, and support to students

- Meet weekly with students to review academic progress and develop individual short-term goals

- Serve as an advocate for students and refer students to school services as appropriate

- Develop recommendations based on weekly meetings with students to address challenges and develop or provide resources on how to ensure academic success

- Work with students to develop long-terms goals related to their unique academic circumstances and collegiate aspirations

- Monitor grades and course registration to ensure students remain in good academic standing, remain on track to graduate, and complete a rigorous program of study

- Deliver program curriculum during college access groups

- Assist students with ACT/Accuplacer college entrance exam preparation and registration

- Assist students with college admission tasks such as completing college and scholarship applications, essay writing, and the FAFSA

- Work during the annual UBVQ Summer Program which will require work outside of normal working hours and up to 6 weeks (Monday-Friday) spent living in a residence hall on the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus. 

(15%) Student Recruitment

-   Lead recruitment efforts at assigned target school(s) and support recruitment efforts at all UBVQ target high schools

- Recruit required number of participants at target high school(s) each year as designated by Project Director

- Conduct recruitment activities at schools during lunches, class presentations; and attend school open houses, activity fairs, family nights, and conferences to recruit participants

- Conduct prospective student interviews and collect and maintain student applications

- Develop promotional materials such as posters, videos, and program advertisements

- Assess student’s understanding of program requirements

-   Communicate recruitment updates with Duluth Coordinator, Project Director, UBVQ staff, and target school staff

(15%) Assist with developing program curriculum, coordinating program events, recordkeeping, and grant reporting

- Assist Project Coordinator in developing new program curriculum as necessary

- Provide recommendations to Duluth Coordinator, Project Director and Project Coordinator on new initiatives

- Plan, implement, and chaperone students on field trips and monthly activities which may occur outside of normal working hours

- Document student participation in program activities and complete case notes on Student Access database

- Maintain accurate and complete student forms, files and records

- Support Project Director and Project Coordinator in completing the UBVQ Annual Performance Report

(10%) Cultivate and maintain relationships with target school(s), University personnel, local colleges and Universities, and community organizations

- Develop relationships with target school staff such as guidance counselors, college/career center staff, teachers, and administrators

- Develop relationships with community organizations that can provide valuable services to UBVQ students

- Develop relationships with admissions offices at local colleges and universities to coordinate campus visits for UBVQ students

-  Work with other TRIO and similar programs in the Minneapolis and Duluth public school systems to coordinate services.

(5%) Other

- Participate in UBVQ staff meetings and curriculum meetings

- Attend scheduled one-on-one meetings with the UBVQ Duluth Coordinator and Project Director

-  Participate in professional development activities

-  Monitor program tutors while at target schools

-  Other Duties as assigned

**** This is a Civil Service Position********

Required qualifications:

- Bachelor's degree in a related field (education, counseling, etc.) with at least 2 years of relevant experience
- Familiarity with the college admission process

- Demonstrated commitment to educational equity

Preferred qualifications:

- Minimum of 2 years’ experience working in a TRIO program or another similar college access program teaching, tutoring, or advising adolescent, low-income and first-generation college-bound youth
- Experience working in or with the Duluth public school system
- Experience in student recruitment, developing curriculum, and other educational materials

- Familiarity with and experience using multiple Social Media platforms to enhance student engagement.
- Experience developing partnerships with agencies and organizations.

- Professional or personal experience overcoming barriers similar to those experienced by TRIO student populations.

- Strong written, computer and verbal skills

- Clear understanding of safety of minors