UT GEAR UP Mindset College Ready Site Coordinator (Aldine ISD)

University of Texas; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 49,500 - 60,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance (100% covered)

Retirement plans

Paid leave

Job summary

The University of Texas is seeking a GEAR UP Mindset College Ready Site Coordinator in Austin, Texas. This role will assist students with academic counseling, college admissions, financial aid, and awareness activities. The coordinator works closely with students, staff, and community to create a supportive and motivating environment.

Ideal candidates will have a Bachelor's degree in a related field, with a strong preference for Master's degree holders. The position offers a competitive base salary of $55,000 with comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in counseling, social work, education, or related field.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• Knowledge of Texas secondary education requirements.

Responsibilities

• Provide academic enrichment and counseling for students.
• Coordinate college awareness activities.
• Assist with college admissions and financial aid applications.

Skills

Bilingual/Bicultural (Spanish)

Verbal and written communication

Knowledge of financial aid

Education

Bachelor’s degree in counseling or related field

Master’s degree

Job description

Position Overview

UT GEAR UP Mindset College Ready Site Coordinator (Aldine ISD) will help GEAR UP cohort students realize their dream of applying for and attending college. Working alongside middle and high school staff, the coordinator will assist students with academic and college knowledge counseling, mentoring, college admissions, financial aid and scholarship applications, and plan college awareness activities at the school level.

Responsibilities

• Provide academic enrichment, informational, and motivational opportunities and interventions (before, during, and after school) for GEAR UP cohort students including at‑risk, LEP, and special education students, and monitor grades, attendance, and transcripts.
• Assess academic and personal needs through transcript evaluations, student interviews, and counselor recommendations and collaborate with the school site team to develop and implement a service plan.
• Maintain GEAR UP cohort student information and use a caseload management approach through the grant‑sanctioned data system.
• Support students in meeting passing standards in STAAR and EOC assessment and criteria in PSAT, SAT, ACT, or TSI.
• Coordinate access to qualified counselors at the school or district level and leverage grant resources for partner services.
• Organize group events such as student assemblies, pep rallies, family night events, and other support activities to encourage college consideration and application.
• Visit classrooms, assemblies, and club meetings to offer GEAR UP services and emphasize the importance of college.
• Work with local community groups, non‑profit organizations, and service providers to offer group events outside the school setting.
• Recognize and celebrate student success and motivate GEAR UP cohort students to improve academic performance.
• Provide one‑on‑one admissions and financial‑aid advice, develop individual college timelines, and help submit applications.
• Assist in interpreting college correspondence, including offers and financial aid.
• Recruit, train, and serve as a lead for GEAR UP cohort students and hourly employees, tutor/mentors, program assistants, college coaches, volunteers, and parent helpers.
• Assign work schedules of student and hourly staff and volunteers, perform administrative duties for the grant, collect volunteer and donation forms, and maintain documentation files for all grant activities.
• Develop outreach materials, including newsletters and social media sites.
• Establish productive working relationships with principals, counselors, and teachers, and adapt programs to meet school needs.
• Assist UT GEAR UP Site Coordinators within the district by coordinating events and services and attending evening and weekend events.
• Identify, collect, enter, and interpret key progress and outcome data, submit monthly progress reports, and represent UT GEAR UP MCR to potential supporters and interested parties.
• Participate in two weeks of training each summer on the UT Austin campus and seek other professional development opportunities.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in counseling, social work, child development, education, public administration, or a related field (with substitution as appropriate).

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree.
• In‑depth knowledge of secondary education requirements in Texas.
• Knowledge of post‑secondary education options, application procedures, and admission requirements.
• Knowledge of financial aid, scholarship opportunities, and FAFSA application processes.
• Strong ability to communicate verbally and in writing with students, parents, and school staff.
• Strong preference for bilingual/bicultural (Spanish) fluency or knowledge.

Salary and Benefits

Base salary is $55,000 plus additional compensation based on qualifications. Employees receive a competitive benefits package that includes health insurance (premiums covered 100% for full‑time benefits‑eligible employees), retirement plans, paid leave, and other programs and services.

Working Conditions

The position involves standard office conditions with frequent use of a keyboard and requires frequent travel.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The University of Texas at Austin is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.