Upward Bound Program Advisor at Altoona High School

Penn State University; University Park (IL); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

75% tuition discount

Job summary

Penn State University seeks a Program Advisor (Student Advocacy Specialist) for Upward Bound Altoona, housed within the Office of the Vice Provost for Educational Equity. The role focuses on organizing social, educational, and service-learning activities for high school students in the Altoona area and building partnerships with school districts and campus offices.

The ideal candidate will work with 9th–12th graders, provide college readiness guidance, and coordinate academic and residential

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree and 1+ years of relevant experience required.
• Experience working with high school students in a team environment.
• Ability to liaise with school district personnel and campus offices.
• Knowledge of federal grant guidelines and program policies.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate student recruitment and school events.
• Advise, tutor, and refer participants on college readiness and services.
• Develop and implement academic year and summer programs.
• Represent the program to school districts and partners.

Skills

Student advocacy

High school counseling

Collaboration with schools

Communication skills

Program coordination

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Job description

POSITION SPECIFICS

TRIO Upward Bound Programs is seeking a Program Advisor (Student Advocacy Specialist) for program operations in the Altoona Area High School. At Penn State, Upward Bound Altoona (UBA) is located within The Office of the Vice Provost for Educational Equity, which serves as a catalyst and advocate for Penn State’s diversity and inclusion initiatives.

The UBCM Program Advisor assists in organising, developing, and implementing social, educational, and service-learning programmes/activities for Upward Bound Programs’ participants. The successful candidate will have a proven track record of working effectively with high school students in a team environment, will serve as the Penn State on-site programme liaison/contact with school district personnel, and will be responsible for:

• Student recruitment and programming for grant-determined school district population, parent/student events, and community stakeholders
• Advising, tutoring, or referring programme participants on various student services including high school course selection, college readiness, financial aid, health and wellness, career services, academic advising, student leadership, and diversity and inclusion
• Development and implementation of academic year and summer residential programming in compliance with federal guidelines as outlined in the grant develop and maintain effective working relationships with school districts, community partners, and campus and University-wide offices
• Understanding and articulating unit policies and federal grant guidelines in oral and written communication

This individual will be responsible for providing services to students with a focus on meeting the following core objectives of the project:

• Assisting non-senior students to complete rigorous coursework and pass to the next grade level each year
• Assisting senior students to graduate from high school on time
• Assisting senior students to matriculate to postsecondary education for the fall semester immediately following high school graduation
• Assisting with tracking the postsecondary progress of students served for six years after high school graduation

The ideal candidate will have experience in the following knowledge areas:

• Collaborating with school district personnel to assist participants with scheduling high school courses, providing academic counselling, and support services necessary to ensure completion of a rigorous curriculum
• Reviewing and monitoring participants’ academic progress to guide implementation of grade-level appropriate activities, focused on postsecondary goals integrated with a salient career focus
• Assisting participants with applying to postsecondary education and navigating the enrolment process
• Providing information about financial aid, assisting participants with applying for aid, and interpreting financial aid packages
• Coordinating and chaperoning postsecondary campus tours and career focused field trips
• Developing and maintaining a network of professional relationships with postsecondary institutions and community agencies
• Demonstrated experience in providing direct college preparation services to 9th- through 12th-grade students and in working with low‑income, first‑generation high school students from diverse backgrounds are essential
• Knowledge of and experience with federally funded TRIO programmes is preferred

Competencies critical to success include:

• Outstanding interpersonal skills
• Excellent verbal and written communications
• Effective analytical, problem‑solving, and organisational skills
• Accuracy and attention to detail
• The ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s Degree1+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience acceptedRequired Certifications:None

Other Information:

Schedule or Travel Requirements

• Must work one Saturday per month from September through May
• Significant summer obligations in June and July
• Weekend and evening work frequently required

UBCM is a federally funded programme that helps high‑school students gain academic skills and motivation to continue their education beyond high school. The project provides opportunities for participants to succeed in their pre‑college performance and ultimately in their higher education pursuits. Upward Bound serves high school students from low‑income families in which neither parent holds a bachelor’s degree. The goal of Upward Bound is to increase the rate at which participants complete secondary education and enroll in and graduate from institutions of post‑secondary education. Upward Bound Programme (ed.gov)

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

This position requires the following clearances in addition to applicable background checks: PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form, and Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check. This position requires that you operate a motor vehicle as a part of your job duties. A valid driver’s licence and successful completion of a motor vehicle records check will be required in addition to standard background checks.

Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorised to work in the U.S.

SALARY & BENEFITS

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $44,628.00 - $64,668.00.

Salary Structure - Information on Penn State’s salary structure

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full‑time employees designed to support both personal and professional well‑being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and was committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.

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