Academic Specialist - Highland Middle School - (Cowiche, WA)

Washington State University; Richland (WA); On-site; USD 46,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid holidays

Employee tuition waiver

Retirement benefits

Job summary

Washington State University Tri-Cities GEAR UP program seeks an Academic Specialist at Highland Middle School in Cowiche, WA. The role focuses on tutoring to boost academic performance, development of positive non-cognitive skills, and supporting college and career readiness for students.

The position is full-time, temporary, on-site in Cowiche, with a September 30, 2027 end date and potential renewal based on funding. Travel and extended hours may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and two years of professional experience in student services.
• Proficiency in Google Workspace and MS Office software.
• Willingness to travel overnight and work a flexible schedule, including nights and weekends.

Responsibilities

• Mentoring and advising students to increase college and career readiness
• Guiding students with college and career exploration
• Plan and supervise field trips to college campuses
• Work as a team with GEAR UP staff, classroom teachers, counselors, and administrators to achieve GEAR UP grant outcomes
• Monitor, collect, and document student data for assessment and reporting requirements

Skills

Office suite proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree and 2 years experience in student services

Job description

Position Details:

Employee Type: Admin. Professional (+) (Fixed Term)

Business Title: Academic Specialist | Highland Middle School | (Cowiche, WA)

The Opportunity:

Washington State University Tri-Cities GEAR UP program is now accepting applications for an Academic Specialist (AS) at Highland Middle School in Cowiche, WA. As an AS you will use professional judgement and skills to increase GEAR UP student academic performance through direct tutoring and development of positive academic behaviors and non-cognitive skills.

Duties include (but are not limited to):

• Mentoring and advising students to increase college and career readiness
• Guiding students with college and career exploration
• Plan and supervise field trips to college campuses
• Work as a team with GEAR UP staff, classroom teachers, counselors, and administrators to achieve GEAR UP grant outcomes
• Monitor, collect, and document student data for assessment and reporting requirements

Additional Information:

• This is a full time ( 100% FTE), temporary position. This position is overtime eligible.
• This is an in-person/on-site position located in Cowiche, WA.
• Temporary End Date: This is a temporary position expected to end on September 30, 2027. Renewal is dependent on the need for extension and/or if additional funding is secured to extend employment.

Monthly Salary: $4,152.19 - $4,940.13 | Commensurate with experience and qualifications

In accordance with RCW 49.58.110 , the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate's current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.

Benefits:

• WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation, optional supplemental retirement accounts; training and development; and employee tuition waiver. For additional information, please review the Summary of Benefits offered by WSU for AP staff and Total Compensation.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree and two (2) years of professional experience in student services, specifically providing instruction or direct outreach services to students and/or working with parents in individual or group settings, or related education/experience. Master's degree in a related field may substitute for one (1) year of professional work experience. Any combination of relevant education and professional experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year‑for‑year basis.
• Proficiency in the use of computers, Google Workspace and MS Office software programs.
• Willingness and ability to travel overnight and work a flexible schedule, including frequent nights and weekends, with occasional supervisory responsibility of students.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated knowledge of school programs, student success, the school community and/or parental involvement in community and/or school setting.
• Familiarity with organization and operation of school/district administration and university/community college systems.
• Strong interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with a diverse group of people, including peers, university and school administrators, faculty, staff, students and parents, and the general public.
• Experience managing, tracking, and reporting program data.
• Experience in student academic support programs.

Position Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for work visa sponsorship

Location: Cowiche, WA

Reference contact information will be requested later in the recruitme