Student Development Counselor Upward Bound

Vermont State Colleges System; Johnson (VT); On-site; USD 44,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Vermont State Colleges System seeks an Upward Bound Student Development Counselor to coordinate tutoring, counseling and academic support for eligible students during the academic year and summer programs. The role includes home visits, learning plans, and helping students with college applications and financial aid.

The position emphasizes inclusive advising, collaboration with families, and coordination of college fairs, camps, and weekend sessions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in education, behavioral sciences or related field with 2–4 years of counseling/teaching experience; master's degree desirable.
• Knowledge of post-secondary opportunities and admissions processes.
• Experience in high school settings or counseling.
• Understanding of resources for economically disadvantaged students in rural settings.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and/or provide tutoring and counseling to Upward Bound students during academic year and summer programs.
• Assess students’ academic, personal and life skills and develop learning plans.
• Provide college selection and financial aid counseling and assist with applications.
• Assist with career exploration including resumes and internships.
• Plan and assist with open houses, parent nights and school events.
• Coordinate student activities, fairs, visits, conferences and leadership events.
• Assist in planning Saturday Sessions and student workshops.
• Maintain resource lists for social and educational services.
• Recruit students and assist with program planning and summer operations.
• Provide residential counseling and supports during the six week program.
• Assist in college and financial aid applications for students and families.
• Demonstrate inclusivity and excellent customer service in all modalities.
• Maintain records and reports related to participants and grant funding.

Skills

Counseling

Planning

Communication

Accountability

Public presentation

Diversity support

Education

Bachelor's degree in Education or related field

Master's degree desirable

Job description

BASIC FUNCTION GRADE

To coordinate or provide tutoring, counseling, and academic support services for Upward Bound students during academic year and summer programs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Coordinate and/or provide individual tutoring and counseling to eligible students regularly during the academic year and as a daily part of summer programs.
• Assess students’ academic, personal and life skills through regular high school and home visits to determine areas of need; maintain regular communication between the home, school, and Upward Bound Office; develop, maintain and monitor personal learning plans with eligible students.
• Provide college selection and financial aid counseling for eligible high school seniors including, visiting colleges and college fairs, assisting with applications and counseling on financial aid matters.
• Assist with the development and implementation of career exploration for eligible students, including inventories, values clarification, résumé writing and interests matching for summer internships and future college majors/minors.
• Assist with open houses, parent nights and other target school events at participating schools.
• Coordinate a variety of student activities, including community service projects, college fairs, college visits, student leadership conferences, and other student development conferences or activities.
• Assist with planning of Saturday Sessions, including providing workshops and student activities to enhance student development.
• Develop and maintain resource lists for social and educational services for resource and referral information.
• Assist with recruitment of students, eligibility assessment, program planning efforts and preparation and implementation of the summer program.
• Provide residential counseling and supports to students and staff during the six week campus academic program.
• Assist in carrying out post-secondary placement of students and provide assistance to students and families throughout the college application and financial aid application process.
• Demonstrate inclusivity and provide excellent customer service in all modalities, including in-person, telephone, e-mail, video call, live chat, texting, and the like.
• Compile and maintain appropriate records on program participants and activities, as well as perform routine administrative tasks and prepare reports related to grant funding.
• Confer regularly with Upward Bound and other University staff and community service providers.
• Attend relevant local, regional and national professional meetings.
• Perform related tasks as assigned. Upward Bound Student Development Counselor:

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Direct supervision is received from the Director of Upward Bound.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Partial administrative and functional supervision of summer student workers.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelors degree in education, behavioral sciences or a related field or other appropriate discipline, with master’s degree desirable, plus 2 to 4 years of relevant counseling or teaching experience, or a combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and skills are acquired.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

Knowledge:

• Strong base of general knowledge and skills relevant to the program, such as counseling, working with community action agencies, educational program design, understanding of post-secondary opportunities and admissions policies/processes, and the like.
• Experience working in a high school setting or in providing basic personal and academic counseling.
• Knowledge of community resources and agencies related to a variety of student needs. Familiarity with post-secondary and financial aid application processes and college readiness activities.
• Understanding of the psychological and cultural characteristics of economically and educationally disadvantaged students, particularly in a rural setting.

Skills:

• Excellent counseling skills.
• Good planning, administrative, organizational, and supervisory skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and oral and written communication skills.
• Proven record of accountability and follow-through with the ability to meet deadlines.

Abilities:

• Ability to deal effectively with and serve as a program representative to students, parents, secondary and post-secondary school personnel, community agencies, funding agencies, and the like, as well as various College personnel, requiring skills in individual counseling, coordinating and public presentation.
• Demonstrated positive attitude regarding Vermont State University and a desire to improve student outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to support a diverse community and promote diverse perspectives and cultures.

Scheduled Hours Weekly:

37.5

Budgeted Wage for this Position:

44,000-50,000

Exempt Status:

Exempt

Grade:

S11

Job Posting Responsibilities:

Unit Determination:

Professional, Administrative, Technical - VSC United Professionals