K to 14 Academic Prep Specialist - 141288

University of California San Diego; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 62,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

UC San Diego is seeking a K to 14 Academic Prep Specialist to lead college readiness programs for Cal-SOAP across San Diego/Imperial counties. You will design and implement workshops, coordinate test prep, and deliver enrichment activities for grades 7–12, with emphasis on underrepresented and first‑generation students.

Under Cal-SOAP, you will recruit and supervise staff, manage budgets, and liaise with schools and community partners to maximize outcomes.

Qualifications

• Significant experience advising educationally disadvantaged students regarding postsecondary opportunities and careers.
• Strong knowledge of educational equity programs serving a diverse student population.
• Experience marketing student services to underrepresented students.
• Knowledge of K‑12 and higher education admissions and financial aid requirements.

Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver college-going workshops and test prep for grades 7–12.
• Recruit, train, supervise, and evaluate part-time and student staff.
• Monitor and adjust program budgets and provide quarterly reporting.

Skills

Advising students

Educational equity

Marketing services

Stakeholder collaboration

Tools

Word processing

Database software

Job description

Payroll Title: K TO 14 ACAD PREP SPEC 3

Department: CAL-SOAP

Hiring Pay Scale: $62,100 - $76,000/year

Worksite: Other

Appointment Type: Career

Appointment Percent: 100%

Union: Uncovered

Total Openings: 1

Work Schedule: 8 hrs/day, Mon- Fri

#141288 K to 14 Academic Prep Specialist

Filing Deadline: Thu 10/1/2026

UCSD Layoff from Career Appointment: Apply by 9/22/26 for consideration with preference for rehire. All layoff applicants should contact their Employment Advisor.

Reassignment Applicants: Eligible Reassignment clients should contact their Disability Counselor for assistance.

DESCRIPTION

Enrollment Management (EM) is a multi-unit department within the Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor-Academic Affairs. The department is led by the Associate Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management (AVC EM), who serves as the Chief Enrollment Officer and Chief Outreach Officer of the University. EM comprises multiple high-profile, core functional units including: the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, Office of the Registrar, Financial Aid & Scholarships Office, Cal-SOAP, Creative Services, Enrollment Analytics, and the Business Office. We work to advance the academic and public service missions of UC San Diego by ensuring equitable access to education and empowering students throughout their educational journeys.

The San Diego and Imperial Counties California Student Opportunity and Access Program (Cal-SOAP) unit provides services and programming intended to increase the number of students who prepare for and enter post-secondary institutions. The grant is administered by a Consortium of local colleges and universities, school districts, and other educational entities who cooperate to combine resources and provide matching funds for this state-funded project. UC San Diego serves as the fiscal agent for the project, administering state funds, allocated to the project through the California Student Aid Commissions (CSAC), and serves as the employer of 8 project staff members and ~50 College Readiness Coaches.

Under the general supervision of the Cal-SOAP Director, the K to 14 Academic Prep Specialist is a seasoned, experienced professional in K-14 academic preparation, independently plans, implements, and evaluates a comprehensive range of academic preparation programming for Cal-SOAP's assigned partner schools and institutions across San Diego and Imperial Counties. Serves as lead coordinator for the Academic Component, designing and delivering college-going workshops, test preparation services, and academic enrichment activities to students in grades 7-12, with an emphasis on college readiness, career readiness, and financial aid literacy for underrepresented and first-generation populations.

Recruits, trains, supervises, and evaluates part-time, student, and summer staff supporting Academic Component service delivery, including performance management and scheduling around academic and grant-funded program cycles. Assists in monitoring and adjusting a significant program budget, including in‑kind contributions, and provides quarterly budget reporting to the Cal-SOAP Director in accordance with CSAC, Cal‑SOAP and UC San Diego policy.

Builds and sustains liaison relationships with K-12 school administrators, counselors, teachers, parents, community-based organizations, and post‑secondary institutions to maximize academic outcomes for targeted students. Leads data collection, impact evaluation, and program assessment activities, including quarterly and annual reporting, participant tracking, and survey‑informed program adjustments, ensuring services remain responsive and results‑driven. Represents Cal‑SOAP on department and campus committees and coordinates regularly with the Cal‑SOAP Advisory Board and fellow Cal‑SOAP Directors across the consortium to align program strategy and resource allocation.

• Must be available to work evenings/weekends during peak periods; some domestic travel may be expected.
• Submission of a cover letter along with a resume is strongly encouraged for a complete application.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Significant experience advising and supporting educationally disadvantaged students regarding postsecondary opportunities and careers.
• Strong knowledge and experience working with educational equity programs serving a diverse student population. Ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of other academic programs and campus departments and individuals both within and outside San Diego County and UC San Diego.
• Experience in successfully marketing student services, particularly to underrepresented students. Knowledge of youth and adolescent development theory, including issues facing low‑income, first generation urban youth.
• Knowledge of K‑12 and higher education institutions (UC, CSU, CC, etc.), admissions and financial aid requirements, and the ability to interpret policies and procedures to youth, parents, and school representatives. Knowledge of the range of academic and other support services at secondary schools.
• Strong knowledge of up‑to‑date information on K‑12 and higher education policies and issues. Ability to assess their impact on program strategies. Ability to assess students' academic needs and develop plans to meet those needs.
• Strong knowledge of high school graduation and college entrance requirements. Knowledge of current theory and research in the areas of Academic Achievement; documented ability to implement theory and research into practice.
• Experience working successfully with underrepresented students in higher educations. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative relationships with school district administrators, school counselors, principals, teachers, and community contacts.
• Strong communications (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills. Demonstrated ability to make oral presentations to both large and small groups and to communicate effectively on a one‑to‑one basis.
• Demonstrated skill in motivating others and stimulating others to effective action.
• Ablility to operate word processing and database software.
• Ability to assist with the management of a complex organization.
• Demonstrated cultural competency with respect to race, ethnicity, and socio‑economic status.
• Knowledge of teaching and learning strategies in secondary schools.
• Ability to design, develop, plan and implement academic activities.
• Experience in training and supervising student staff.
• Ability to keep accurate records and analyze data to determine program effectiveness.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Job offer is contingent upon a satisfactory clearance based on background check results.
• Duties may require direct contact with children (defined as individuals under the age of 18). Completion of the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA) form is required.

Annual Full Pay Range: $62,100 - $107,100 (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)

Hourly Equivalent: $29.74 - $51.29

Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Hiring Pay Scale referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Annual Full Pay Range may be broader than what the University anticipates to pay for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).

If employed by the University of California, you will be required to comply with our Policy on Vaccination Programs, which may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

To foster the best possible working and learning environment, UC San Diego strives to cultivate a rich and diverse environment, inclusive and supportive of all students, faculty, staff and visitors. For more information, visit UC San Diego Principles of Community.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

For the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination

UC San Diego is a smoke and tobacco free environment. Please visit smokefree.ucsd.edu for more information.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer.

a. "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies governing employee conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC’s policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti‑Discrimination Policy
• Abusive Conduct in the Workplace