Academic Specialist - (Moses Lake, WA)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Paid sick leave

Paid vacation leave

Paid holidays

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Retirement plan

Tuition waiver

Training and development

Job summary

Washington State University Tri-Cities is seeking an Academic Specialist in Middle Schools in Moses Lake, WA. You will mentor students to increase college readiness and provide tutoring to build positive academic behaviors and non-cognitive skills.

You will work with GEAR UP staff, teachers, counselors, and administrators to achieve grant outcomes and support student data collection for reporting. This is a full-time, temporary onsite role in Moses Lake with opportunities for collaboration and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with two years of professional experience in student services or related field.
• Master's degree may substitute for one year of experience.
• Proficiency with computers, Google Workspace and MS Office.
• Willingness to travel overnight and work a flexible schedule, including nights/weekends.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Computers and software

Travel flexibility

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree substitution

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.

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

• 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

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 .


• Work location: 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 WSU Tri-Cities , (Richland, WA)

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