K to 14 Academic Prep Specialist - 141288

UC San Diego; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 62,000 - 107,000; Full time

Job summary

UC San Diego's Cal-SOAP program seeks a K-14 Academic Prep Specialist to design and deliver college-going workshops, test prep, and enrichment for grades 7–12, focusing on college and career readiness and financial aid literacy for underrepresented and first-generation students.

The role recruits and trains staff, manages budgets, builds partnerships with schools, collects data, and reports on outcomes to ensure responsive, results-driven services across San Diego and Imperial Counties.

Qualifications

• Significant experience advising and supporting educationally disadvantaged students regarding postsecondary opportunities and careers.
• Strong knowledge of educational equity programs serving a diverse student population and collaboration with campus departments.
• Experience marketing student services to underrepresented students and understanding youth development.

Responsibilities

• Lead coordinator for the Academic Component, designing and delivering college-going workshops, test preparation services, and academic enrichment activities for grades 7–12.
• Recruit, train, supervise, and evaluate part-time, student, and summer staff; manage performance and scheduling around grant cycles.
• Monitor and adjust a significant program budget; provide quarterly budget reporting to the Cal-SOAP Director.
• Build liaison relationships with K-12 administrators, counselors, teachers, and community-based organizations.
• Lead data collection, impact evaluation, and quarterly/annual reporting to ensure responsive, results-driven services.
• Represent Cal-SOAP on department and campus committees and coordinate with the Advisory Board.

Skills

Educational equity

Stakeholder engagement

Community outreach

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Tools

Word processing

Database software

Job description

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.

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 other 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.

Pay Transparency Act

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).