Upward Bound Advisor

Central-College; Pella (IA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Central College in the United States seeks a dedicated UB I/UBII program coordinator to provide academic support and college access services for participants in assigned high schools. The role includes recruitment, curriculum delivery, progress monitoring, and travel to Des Moines Public Schools 1–2 days weekly during the academic year.

The position requires leadership in planning summer and academic year activities, collaboration with staff, and supervision during events to ensure student

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• Three years of experience in education, student development, counseling, or related field.
• Ability to effectively develop working teams.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
• Competence with professional use of digital/electronic communication and social media.
• Ability to work effectively with students from diverse backgrounds.
• Iowa driver’s license - travel to assigned target schools.

Responsibilities

• Assist with UB program participant recruitment and selection.
• Develop and deliver UB college access curriculum to participants at assigned schools.
• Monitor and record participants’ progress toward project objectives.
• Travel to Des Moines Public Schools to provide advising 1-2 days a week during the academic year.
• Serve as advocate for participant needs at target schools by promoting tutoring opportunities and rigorous coursework.
• Attend staff meetings and contribute to curriculum review and program planning.
• Provide leadership during UB events and field trips to ensure student well‑being and success.
• Teach UB skills classes during the six‑week summer session and related workshops.
• Fulfill additional administrative roles as assigned by the associate director.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Team building

Digital communication

Multicultural sensitivity

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Job description

Description

As a member of the UB I/UBII administrative team, the person in this position provides academic support and college access services to program participants in assigned high schools and performs assigned administrative functions related to the purpose and objectives of the program. This federally funded position reports to the associate director of UB in the Pre-College Programs Department.

Assume responsibility for individual and group meetings, events, and field trips for students at assigned schools:

• Assist with UB program participant recruitment and selection
• Develop and deliver UB college access curriculum to participants at assigned schools
• Monitor and record participants’ progress toward project objectives
• Travel to Des Moines Public Schools to provide academic, personal, and group advising for participants 1-2 days a week during the academic year
• Serve as advocate for participant needs at the target school by promoting tutoring opportunities, registration in rigorous coursework, etc.

Actively participate in summer and academic year program planning/implementation:

• Attend staff meetings; complete program assessments as requested
• Contribute to curriculum review and development
• Participate in team planning/implementation of academic year and summer programs, activities, field trips, group college visits, and workshops
• Provide leadership, supervision, and accountability during UB events and field trips to ensure student well-being and event success
• Teach UB skills classes during the six-week summer session and related academic year workshop sessions as specified by the UB associate director
• Fulfill additional administrative roles as identified and assigned by the UB associate director. Assigned roles may vary from year-to-year depending on the needs of the program and the strengths of individual team member

Maintain open and positive communication with parents of participants in assigned schools:

• Assist with basic planning for and attend parent information sessions
• Make parent contacts to provide college access and financial aid information or to offer additional assistance as necessary or as requested by the project director, associate director, or participants/parents
• Participate in school conferences, open houses, and other school events

Maintain open and positive communication with target school personnel to secure/ensure:

• Provision of timely information to target school personnel regarding program activities and needs
• Meeting times/spaces, access to students, compliance with target school policies and practices
• Mutual exchange of information regarding participants’ needs and progress
• Positive relationships with target school leadership and personnel

Maintain accurate, timely paper and electronic records as required by the grant or as requested by the director or assistant director:

• Keep accurate records of student participation and progress
• Accurately enter related data into program database in a timely fashion
• Maintain accurate up-to-date records of personal time and effort

Note: This position requires occasional evening or weekend hours during the academic year and extended hours during the six-week summer component.

General responsibilities

• Maintain confidentiality with respect to participants’ academic and personal information
• Demonstrate commitment to personal professional growth
• Consistently demonstrate a positive attitude
• Must be open and adaptable to change
• Must work cooperatively and respectfully with others
• Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Three years of experience in education, student development, counseling, or related field.
• Ability to effectively develop working teams.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
• Competence with professional use of digital/electronic communication and social media.
• Ability to work effectively with students from diverse backgrounds
• Iowa driver’s license - this position requires regular travel to assigned target schools.

Central College Brand Expectations

• Demonstrate a network of caring relationships by showing respect for others, being dependable and promoting cooperation with others in the work environment.
• Be your best self by being accountable for responsibilities, adapting well to change and maintaining the highest standards of business ethics.
• Perform job responsibilities on campus to support the residential college environment.
• Strive to perform as effectively as possible while maintaining a high level of quality and promoting personal growth and development.
• Respect and comply with college rules and policies, including participation in required training courses; report any suspected violations of the Title IX policy to the Title IX Coordinator