College Readiness Coordinator - Talent Search Program

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley; Raymondville (TX); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley seeks a full-time program specialist to guide participants in academic readiness and post-secondary success. You will plan, implement, and evaluate services tied to program goals and objectives, promoting college achievement.

Responsibilities include advising students and families, coordinating recruitment, tracking progress with school partners, and organizing enrichment activities and tutoring to support post-secondary transitions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university.
• Two (2) years of experience in K-12 or Higher Education performing duties related to post‑secondary readiness and outreach, student recruitment/retention, or other student program or academic support services.

Responsibilities

• Provides information and support to assist students and families/guardians in completing essential post‑secondary transition processes such as college planning, entrance exams, applications, financial aid, and college selection.
• Coordinates the student recruitment process by interviewing, evaluating, and selecting eligible program participants.
• Monitors and assesses student academic progress in collaboration with school personnel to provide services aligned with student needs.
• Plans, implements, and evaluates enrichment opportunities such as summer programming, conferences, workshops, college visits, field trips, service learning, and other activities; proposes new programs to leadership.

Education

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university

Job description

Scope of Job

Provide guidance to program participants on academic or other areas relating to the program to ensure academic preparedness and college success. Plan, implement, and evaluate intentional services to meet program goals and objectives intended to promote academic achievement and post‑secondary success.

Description of Duties

• Provides information and support to assist students and families/guardians in completing essential post‑secondary transition processes such as: guidance on college planning, college entrance and placement exams, submitting college applications, applying for financial aid, and college selection.
• Coordinates the student recruitment process by interviewing, evaluating, and selecting eligible program participants.
• Monitors and assesses student academic progress in collaboration with school personnel to provide services aligned with student needs.
• Plans, implements, and evaluates enrichment opportunities such as summer programming, conferences, workshops, college visits, educational field trips, service learning, and other appropriate activities. Proposes new programs to leadership as identified beneficial.
• Coordinates tutoring/mentoring services designed to increase academic achievement and promote transition to post‑secondary education.
• Collects and maintains participant and program level data for use in reporting.
• Provides information and support services to students in collaboration with school administration, counselors and instructional staff.
• Provides opportunities for students to enhance social and emotional learning competencies such as positive decision making, self‑concept development, resiliency, and conflict resolution.
• Acts as the liaison between the program and parents, school personnel, and post‑secondary institutions for implementation of program services.
• Conducts student and parent workshops on a variety of topics to ensure college readiness of students and families/guardians.
• Based on area of assignment hires, trains, and supervises tutors/mentors in coordination with the supervisor.
• Participates in other program related assigned duties.

Supervision

• Supervision Received: General supervision from assigned supervisor.
• Supervision Given: Direct supervision of assigned staff.

Required Education

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university.

Required Experience

Two (2) years of experience working in K-12 or Higher Education performing duties related to the job duties listed above, including experience in college readiness programs, post‑secondary awareness and outreach, student recruitment/retention, or other student program or academic support services in K-12 or university setting.

Preferred Experience

Experience with program evaluation, partnership development, and objectives‑based programming.

Working Conditions

Needs to be able to successfully perform all required duties. Office Environment; some travel and some periods of frequent evening and weekend programming. In addition, summer work and programming may be extensive.

Other

Exceptional planning and organizational skills. Ability to interact in a professional manner with university and school district personnel, students and the public. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Demonstrated interpersonal skills working with students and families. Independent decision making and problem‑solving ability. Must demonstrate effective project promotion skills, and, the ability to develop and maintain strong working relations with internal and external agencies and entities.

Position Details

• Location: Rio Grande Valley, Texas (Willacy County)
• Department: College Access & K-12 Partners
• Employment Category: Full-Time
• Salary: Commensurate with Experience
• Grant Funded Position: Yes (grant expiration 09/01/2031)

Additional Information

UTRGV is a distributed location institution and working location is subject to change based on need.

All UTRGV employees are required to have a criminal background check (CBC). Incomplete applications will not be considered.

It is the policy of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley to promote and ensure equal employment opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information or protected veteran status. We encourage women, minorities and differently abled persons to apply for employment positions of interest.