Academic Specialist | (Moses Lake, WA)

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

Job summary

Washington State University Tri-Cities is seeking an Academic Specialist for the GEAR UP program in Moses Lake, WA. The role focuses on tutoring and developing positive academic behaviors to raise college readiness among middle school students.

You will mentor students, guide college exploration, supervise campus field trips, and collaborate with teachers, counselors and administrators to meet grant outcomes. A background check is required.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Mentor and advise students to boost college and career readiness.
• Guide students in college/career exploration.
• Plan and supervise field trips to college campuses.
• Collaborate with GEAR UP staff, teachers, counselors, and admins to meet grant outcomes.
• Collect and document student data for assessment and reporting.

Skills

Student services

Advising

Travel readiness

Tech proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree + related experience

Tools

Google Workspace

MS Office

Job description

Online applications must be received before 11:59pm on November 25, 2026

Available Title(s) 1481-YN_ADMINPRO - Student Services Coordinator/Advisor 1

Business Title Academic Specialist | (Moses Lake, WA)

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

The Opportunity:

Washington State University Tri-Cities GEAR UP program is now accepting applications for an Academic Specialist (AS) in Middle Schools in Moses Lake, 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 Moses Lake, 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: Moses Lake, WA

Background Check:

This position has been designated by the department to require a background check because it requires access to children or vulnerable adults as defined by RCW 74.34, engages in law enforcement, requires security clearance, interacts with WSU students in a counseling or advising capacity, has access to personal identifying and/or financial information, unsupervised access to university buildings/property, or other business-related need. A background check will not be completed until an initial determination of qualification for employment has been made.

Time Type

Full time

Position Term

Washington State University encourages all qualified candidates to apply, including members of the military and veterans, and persons with disabilities.

WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

WSU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource Services: 509-335-4521 (v), Washington State TDD Relay Service: Voice Callers: 1-800-833-6384; TDD Callers: 1-800-833-6388, 509-335-1259(f), or [e-mail].

Notice of Non-Discrimination

In matters of admission, employment, housing or services, or in the educational programs or activities it operates, WSU does not discriminate or permit discrimination by any member of its community against any individual on the basis of sex, race, color, national or ethnic origin, physical disability, mental disability, sensory disability, use of a trained service animal, age, religion, creed, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, honorably discharged veteran, member of the military, or immigration or citizenship status except as authorized by federal or state law, regulation, or government contract.

Inquiries about the application of federal and state laws and regulations (including inquiries regarding the application of Title IX, ADA/Section 504, and implementing regulations), as well as reports and complaints of discrimination and harassment, can be made verbally or in writing to WSU's Compliance and Civil Rights, the Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights, or both.

More information, resources, and contact information are available here: https://ccr.wsu.edu/notice-of-nondiscrimination/