Outreach Center Counselor – GEAR UP College Advisor/Success Coach

Job Posting Title:

Outreach Center Counselor – GEAR UP College Advisor/Success Coach

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Hiring Department:

Curriculum and Instruction

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Position Open To:

All Applicants

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Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

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FLSA Status:

Exempt

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Earliest Start Date:

Immediately

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Position Duration:

Expected to Continue Until Sep 25, 2023

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Location:

UT MAIN CAMPUS

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Job Details:

General Notes

As IPSI prepares to transition to the final year (Y7) of the To College and Beyond GEAR UP grant from the US Department of Education, additional capacity is needed to support GEAR UP cohort students with specific tasks necessary to apply to college, graduate from high school, and successfully enroll, matriculate, and persist in postsecondary education, per our grant objectives. The Outreach Center Counselor will be located regionally where s/he will provide in-person and virtual direct services to students to assist them with these tasks and ensure that they successfully transition to college. They will also provide additional support to IPSI staff with the planning and implementation of first-year transition events and activities.

Responsibilities

• Provide one-on-one admissions and financial aid advising to cohort students and families; help students complete and submit college applications, scholarships and financial aid applications; organize and assist with events and activities such as application workshops and FAFSA drives; maintain case management system with individual student portfolios; monitor and support student engagement in their academic work and ensure they are on track to graduate from high school; assist students with steps necessary to successfully enroll in postsecondary; encourage students’ participation in summer bridge programs leading up to their first year of postsecondary.

• Provide significant and substantive one-on-one advising both in person and virtually to students on: navigating campus resources to aid them in their academic and social transition to college; choosing a postsecondary path appropriate to their personal goals; degree plans and current/planned course enrollment; seeking tutoring assistance on campus; identifying engaging summer learning, leadership, and internship opportunities; and monitoring and supporting their overall engagement. Mentor a group of students and continue to provide counsel and support through the first year of postsecondary.

• Support students’ transition to postsecondary by collaborating with colleges to help guide students through first year processes such as: freshman orientation, course registration, constructing plans for achieving post-secondary goals, enhancing utilization of academic and student services offices, job shadowing/internships and success seminars. Monitor GEAR UP awareness and support to all cohort students and parents. Monitor and modify program implementation of activities, as needed, to meet program goals and objectives. Identify and provide appropriate resources for project activities and support their implementation.

• In collaboration with university representatives, design and lead in-person and virtual small group training and activities for cohort students to develop skills necessary for success in college and the workplace, including but not limited to: time management, organizational and study skills; planning and goal setting; dealing with stress; and managing homesickness.

• Track student experiences and personal growth. Manage individual student caseloads via regular meetings with students on the following kinds of topics: Current and planned course enrollment; student and family goals for the year; plans and opportunities for summer activities; involvement in extracurricular activities; balancing work and academics; career interests, skills and abilities; and significant academic, behavioral or situational events.

• Assist the Project Director and other UT Austin GEAR UP staff in identifying, collecting and interpreting key progress and outcome variables to evaluate the progress of GEAR UP; enter service data on a regular basis; submit monthly progress reports to GEAR UP leadership documenting activities, progress and outcome data. Serve and assist UTGU at summer bridge and transition events and activities. Support and lead UT GEAR UP first-year college student events and activities.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree

• Familiarity with college admissions and financial aid application processes

• Ability to meet deadlines, plan events, and keep track of data and records

• Excellent oral and written communication skills

• Understanding of challenges and barriers facing low-income, first-generation students and families

Preferred Qualifications

• 1-2 years of experience advising high school students on college and career readiness topics

• Experience in financial aid and college access.

Salary Range

$42,000 + depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

Typical office environment.

Required Materials

• Resume/CV

• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor

• Letter of interest

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded.  Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.

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Employment Eligibility:

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

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Retirement Plan Eligibility:

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

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Background Checks:

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

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Equal Opportunity Employer:

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer , 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.

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Pay Transparency:

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

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Employment Eligibility Verification:

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form.  You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States.  Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment.  Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

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E-Verify:

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

• E-Verify Poster (English) [PDF]
• E-Verify Poster (Spanish) [PDF]
• Right To Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right To Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

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Compliance:

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031 .

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the 2021 report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe, Suite UTA 2.206, Austin, TX 78701.