Upward Bound Academic Advisor

Inside Higher Ed; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 27,882 - 31,891; Full time

Job summary

An educational institution is seeking an Upward Bound Academic Advisor in Columbus, Ohio. The advisor will provide academic and college-prep advising to high school students and contribute to a summer program. Candidates must possess a Bachelor's degree in a related field and have experience working with low-income, first-generation students. Strong interpersonal and communication skills are essential for success in this role. This position offers a pay range of $20.24 – $23.15 per hour, depending on qualifications.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience is required.
• Experience in teaching or advising low‑income, first-generation students.
• Must have a vehicle and valid driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Assist students with academic and college-prep advising.
• Contribute to the successful implementation of the summer program.
• Evaluate program effectiveness and collect data.

Skills

Excellent human relations skills

Excellent communication and presentation skills

Excellent organizational skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in education, guidance/counseling, social work, or a related field

Job description

Upward Bound Academic Advisor

Department: Diversity and Inclusion | Administration

Important: The role is for a 13‑month term position.

Upward Bound is an educational opportunity program of the U.S. Department of Education. It is designed to generate in eligible students the skills and motivation needed to succeed in college. The program provides tutoring, academic counseling and instruction, workshops, college visits, cultural experiences, and other activities to help students prepare for college.

Responsibilities

The academic advisor assists the Ohio State Mansfield Upward Bound project in meeting objectives regarding student enrollment, assessment, academic progress, retention, and success in post‑secondary education. During the academic year, the advisor provides individual academic and college‑prep advising to 60 students in high schools in Mansfield, Madison, and Jefferson & Worthington Townships, OH. Additional duties include preparing information for workshops, chaperoning field trips, collecting data, evaluating program effectiveness, event programming, and recruiting. The position requires personal transportation for travel to the high schools and availability for evening and weekend hours.

During the summer, the advisor substantially contributes to and oversees the successful implementation of the program's six‑week summer program. Summer duties include teaching classes and electives, attending daily staff meetings, resolving conflicts and discipline issues, facilitating a career exploration program, training and supervising residential staff, and chaperoning weekly field trips and a week‑long trip.

Additional Information

Pay range: $20.24 – $23.15. The offer will fall within this range based on internal equity, unit’s available budget, and the candidate’s qualifications.

Minimum Education Required

Bachelor’s Level Degree or equivalent combination of education and experience with a major in education or social work desired.

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in education, guidance/counseling, social work, or a related field is required.
• Experience in teaching, advising, or working with low‑income, potential first‑generation students.
• Excellent human relations skills, ability to establish rapport with students, parents, program staff, college and high school personnel, and community members.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills; ability to use correct grammar.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Must have a vehicle, a driver’s license, and good driving record.
• Must be willing to travel and to work irregular hours.
• Must be able to pass the Ohio BCI background check and, if residing outside Ohio in the last five years, an FBI background check.

Desired

• Master’s degree in guidance/counseling, education, social work, or a related field.
• Teaching or advising experience or work with a TRIO program.
• Shared background or additional experience with the population served.
• Expertise in high school guidance, standardized testing, college admissions, financial aid, or counseling.
• Demonstrated creative thinking with a focus on detail.
• Experience with event organizing.

Location: Ovalwood Hall (0625), Ohio State University Mansfield campus, Mansfield, Ohio.

Position Type: Term (Fixed Term)

Scheduled Hours: 40

Shift: Varying shifts

Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check. A drug screen or physical may be required during the post‑offer process.

Thank you for your interest in positions at The Ohio State University and Wexner Medical Center. Once you have applied, the most updated information on the status of your application can be found by visiting the Candidate Home section of this site. For answers to additional questions please review the frequently asked questions.

The university is an equal opportunity employer, including veterans and disability. As required by Ohio Revised Code section 3345.0216, Ohio State will educate students by means of free, open and rigorous intellectual inquiry to seek the truth; equip students with the opportunity to develop intellectual skills to reach their own, informed conclusions; not require, favor, disfavor or prohibit speech or lawful assembly; create a community dedicated to an ethic of civil and free inquiry, which respects the autonomy of each member, supports individual capacities for growth and tolerates differences in opinion; treat all faculty, staff and students as individuals, hold them to equal standards and provide equality of opportunity with regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.