Program Advisor

California State University, Long Beach; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

California State University, Long Beach seeks a Program Advisor for the Educational Talent Search (ETS) program to provide academic, college, career, and financial aid services to students at assigned target schools. The Program Advisor collaborates with school personnel, families, and community partners to promote student persistence and postsecondary success.

Responsibilities include student outreach, maintaining a caseload, delivering direct student services, coordinating workshops,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in education or related field required.
• Minimum two years of full-time experience with diverse backgrounds.
• Direct TRIO program experience preferred; knowledge of Talent Search rules helpful.
• Experience with high school students and collaboration with schools.
• Content delivery on college and financial aid requirements.
• Evening/weekend hours may be required.

Responsibilities

• Assist with student outreach and recruitment.
• Maintain a student caseload and deliver direct student services.
• Support college and career readiness activities and workshops.
• Coordinate program activities and maintain participant records.
• Document services and progress; support program goals and positive student experience.

Skills

Student outreach

Academic advising

College readiness

Financial aid knowledge

Program coordination

Community partnerships

Bilingual Spanish

Diversity and inclusion

Education

Bachelor's degree in education or related field

Two years of experience with diverse populations

TRIO program experience

Tools

MS Office

Student databases

Job description

The Educational Talent Search (ETS) Program is a 100% federally funded TRIO program. Under the general supervision of the ETS Director and Assistant Director, the Program Advisor provides programmatic and administrative support in the delivery of academic, college, career, and financial aid services to program participants at assigned target schools. The Program Advisor works directly with students from diverse academic and socioeconomic backgrounds and collaborates with Program Coordinator, school personnel, families, and community partners to promote student persistence, achievement, and postsecondary success. Responsibilities include assisting with student outreach and recruitment, maintaining a student caseload as needed, providing direct student services, supporting college and career readiness activities, coordinating workshops and program activities, maintaining accurate participant records, documenting services and student progress, and supporting overall program goals and a positive student experience.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

OVERVIEW

The Educational Talent Search (ETS) Program is a 100% federally funded TRIO program. Under the general supervision of the ETS Director and Assistant Director, the Program Advisor provides programmatic and administrative support in the delivery of academic, college, career, and financial aid services to program participants at assigned target schools. The Program Advisor works directly with students from diverse academic and socioeconomic backgrounds and collaborates with Program Coordinator, school personnel, families, and community partners to promote student persistence, achievement, and postsecondary success. Responsibilities include assisting with student outreach and recruitment, maintaining a student caseload as needed, providing direct student services, supporting college and career readiness activities, coordinating workshops and program activities, maintaining accurate participant records, documenting services and student progress, and supporting overall program goals and a positive student experience.

• Experience advising and working with students from diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, and language backgrounds, including low-income and first‑generation high school students.
• Experience with student outreach, recruitment, academic advising, and programs designed to increase educational achievement, persistence, and postsecondary success.
• Knowledge of academic advising, college and career readiness, college admissions, registration, financial aid, and other postsecondary education opportunities and support services.
• Understanding of academic, socioeconomic, and other challenges that may affect student persistence, achievement, and postsecondary success.
• Experience working within the California public school system and collaborating with K‑12 students, school administrators, counselors, teachers, families, and other school personnel.
• Background and experience in higher education and knowledge of postsecondary educational systems, programs, resources, and student support services.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and collaborate with secondary and postsecondary personnel, community agencies, and other program partners.
• Ability to assess student and program needs, identify appropriate resources, problem‑solve, and develop effective solutions that support student and program goals.
• Ability to maintain accurate participant records, track and document student contacts and services, and monitor participant progress toward program and student outcomes.
• Experience analyzing and evaluating program requirements, information, and problems and exercising sound judgment in determining appropriate courses of action.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate information to students, families, school personnel, program staff, and community partners.
• Experience facilitating meetings, presentations, workshops, and trainings for students, families, staff, and other stakeholders.
• Strong organizational and time‑management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and projects, meet deadlines, and maintain a high level of productivity.
• Ability to exercise professionalism, diplomacy, and sound judgment when working with students, families, staff, school personnel, and community partners.
• Ability to appropriately maintain the confidentiality of student, personnel, and program information and records.
• Proficiency with word processing, spreadsheets, student databases, and other technology used for program administration, participant tracking, and student services.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while contributing effectively as a member of a collaborative team.
• Ability to support program goals, contribute to a positive student experience, and promote an inclusive and student‑centered environment.
• Ability to speak a language in addition to English, preferably Spanish, desired.

EDUCATION, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Bachelor's degree in education or other related field.
• Minimum two (2) years of full‑time experience in a similar or related program working with diverse academic, socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.
• Direct experience working with TRIO programs and demonstrated knowledge of Talent Search rules and regulations.
• Experience working with high school age students in a high school setting with teachers, counselors and administrators.
• Demonstrated knowledge of available postsecondary educational opportunities and financial aid requirements with the ability to provide content to participants in a workshop or one‑on‑one setting.
• Availability to work evening and weekend hours as required by the program.
• Ability to work independently without constant supervision and manage time effectively, prioritize tasks and meet tight and frequent deadlines.
• Must have experience working in a team setting, work well with others, function well under pressure and handle multiple tasks concurrently.
• Possess excellent oral and written communication skills
• Possess excellent social media communication skills/experience.
• Must hold a valid driver's license and have reliable transportation to travel to and from school sites and the CSULB campus.
• Candidates with experience or familiarity working with students from backgrounds similar to the program’s target population, desired.
• Ability to speak Spanish, desired.
• Demonstrated commitment to supporting student academic achievement, persistence, postsecondary enrollment, and graduation.
• Ability to work effectively and professionally with students, families, colleagues, and school personnel from a variety of backgrounds and experiences.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate professionally and respectfully with students, families, faculty, staff, and community partners.
• Ability to identify student needs and provide appropriate information, resources, and referrals that promote academic success, college and career readiness, and overall student well‑being.

Must be able to accept constructive criticism, prioritize workload, be dependable, behave professionally and interact positively with others. Regular, punctual attendance required. This position is employed through the CSULB Research Foundation. Employment is at‑will.

WORK LOCATION

This position involves travel to school sites, as well as administrative duties at the Educational Talent Search operations office, located in Long Beach, CA.

POST OFFER BACKGROUND CHECK REQUIREMENT

A post offer background check (including a reference and criminal records check) must be completed, and the individual cleared, before they can start work with the CSULB Research Foundation. No information will be required prior to the offer of employment. Once an offer of employment is made, failure to complete the background check and receive clearance may affect the application status of a new hire individual and/or the continued employment of a current CSULB Research Foundation employee who has applied for/moved into a new position. Individuals working with minor children and/or the elderly will be required to renew their live scan fingerprinting and be cleared every twelve (12) months. Information obtained through the background check does not automatically disqualify an individual from employment.

GRANT FUNDED EMPLOYMENT

This position is restricted to the conditions set forth in the grant. Ongoing employment is contingent upon satisfactory job performance and continual renewal of grant money/availability of funds.