Academic Specialist - (Kennewick, WA)

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

Job summary

Washington State University Tri-Cities seeks an Academic Specialist in Kennewick, WA. This full-time, temporary role supports the GEAR UP program with tutoring, college/career guidance, and field trips.

You will work with GEAR UP staff, teachers, counselors, and administrators to boost student outcomes, collect data, and report findings. A Bachelor’s degree and two years of experience are required; travel and occasional evenings/weekends are expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and two 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 year of professional work experience.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Mentor and advise students to increase college and career readiness.
• Guide 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.

Job description

Online applications must be received before 11:59pm on: November 25, 2026 If a date is not listed above, review the Applicant Instructions below for more details.

Available Title(s):

1481-YN_ADMINPRO - Student Services Coordinator/Advisor 1

Business Title:

Academic Specialist | (Kennewick, WA)

Employee Type:

Admin. Professional (+) (Fixed Term)

Position Details:

The Opportunity: Washington State University Tri-Cities GEAR UP program is now accepting applications for a Academic Specialist (AS) in Middle Schools in Kennewick, 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

The GEAR UP Program is federally funded by Department of Education grants whose purpose is to increase the number of low-income and underrepresented students who graduate from high school and successfully complete post-secondary education.

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 Kennewick, 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 for this 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

About WSU Tri-Cities , (Richland, WA)

About GEAR UP Programs

Work Location: Kennewick, WA

Background Check: This position has been designated by the department to require a background check because it requires access to