Veterans Upward Bound Academic Coordinator (Student Services Program Assistant 2)

JOB SUMMARY

The Veterans Upward Bound Academic Coordinator provides administrative and programmatic support for the Veterans Upward Bound Program based at UConn, which focuses on increasing college enrollment and completion among low-income, first-generation veterans and their families by delivering personalized, knowledgeable guidance on college admissions, financial aid, and enrollment. The Veterans Upward Bound Academic Coordinator administers seminars, workshops, and events statewide for the Veterans Upward Bound program.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work with the Director to design curriculum for the academic year and summer component.
• Plan, implement, and attend motivational and personal development activities, student meetings, and career fairs; and coordinate student test preparation and college transition workshops. May conduct participant workshops on select topics.
• Develop Annual Individual Service Delivery (AISD) plan with the Director using Needs Assessment, test scores, evaluations, and advising sessions.
• Provide one-on-one personal advising for participants in college preparation, computer skills, course selection, study habits, note-taking, test-taking skills, academic performance, life skills (financial literacy, time management, goal setting), extracurricular involvement, and healthy lifestyles.
• Monitor student academic progress, retention, and progress toward college enrollment. Assist participants in the college application and financial aid process.
• Develop and implement an intervention system for at-risk or potentially at-risk students based on progress reports. Maintain awareness of student issues through contact with participants.
• Schedule appointments and maintain a log with each participant on personal and social issues.
• Maintain positive working relationships with target VA Offices, military personnel, and community agencies and assist in recruiting program participants.
• Assist in recruiting, selecting, and training undergraduate mentors for program participants.
• Coordinate alumni engagement, including social networking system.
• Assist with Annual Performance Report.
• Serve as Director in the Director’s absence.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in higher education, counseling, or a related field.
• Two to three years of related experience.
• Knowledge of and experience with college access and preparation and guidance efforts with veterans/military and/or with underrepresented populations in higher education.
• Demonstrated strength in oral, written, and verbal communication.
• Knowledge of higher education and the challenges faced by students who are veterans/military, who are first-generation to college, from low-income backgrounds, and/or populations underrepresented in higher education.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in education, counseling, social service, or related field.
• Experience working with low-income, first-generation, military-affiliated, and/or minority students or experience working in an Educational Opportunity Program/TRIO Program (or similar).
• Experience advising students on entering a postsecondary institution or re-entering an educational program.
• Experience overcoming barriers similar to those confronting the project’s participants.
• Ability to recognize student learning styles.
• Ability to conduct individual and group counseling sessions and to make referrals as necessary.
• Knowledge of computer software, especially career exploration software and online programs that assist with “translation” of military skills/experience.
• Prior Uniformed Services experience.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This is a full-time (35 hours per week) grant-funded, end-date position with the possibility for annual renewal. The grant is in year 1 of a 5-year grant cycle. The University offers a competitive salary, outstanding benefits including employee and dependent tuition waivers at UConn, and a highly desirable work environment. Due to grant funding limitations, the maximum target hiring salary is $50,000 per year. Other rights, terms, and conditions of employment are contained in the collective bargaining agreement between the University of Connecticut and the University of Connecticut Professional Employees Association (UCPEA).

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

TO APPLY

Please apply online at https://hr.uconn.edu/jobs , Staff Positions, Search #496903 to upload a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three (3) professional references.

This job posting is scheduled to be removed at 11:55 p.m. Eastern time on October 31, 2022. 

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp .

The University of Connecticut is committed to building and supporting a multicultural and diverse community of students, faculty and staff. The diversity of students, faculty and staff continues to increase, as does the number of honors students, valedictorians and salutatorians who consistently make UConn their top choice. More than 100 research centers and institutes serve the University’s teaching, research, diversity, and outreach missions, leading to UConn’s ranking as one of the nation’s top research universities. UConn’s faculty and staff are the critical link to fostering and expanding our vibrant, multicultural and diverse University community. As an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer, UConn encourages applications from women, veterans, people with disabilities and members of traditionally underrepresented populations.