Upward Bound Program Advisor at Altoona High School

About the role

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 organizing, developing, and implementing social, educational, and service‑learning programs/activities for Upward Bound Programs’ participants.

Responsibilities

• Student recruitment and programming for grant‑determined school district population, parent/student events, and community stakeholders.
• Advising, tutoring, or referring program 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.
• Understand and articulate unit policies and federal grant guidelines in oral and written communication.
• Assist non‑senior students to complete rigorous coursework and pass to the next grade level each year.
• Assist senior students to graduate from high school on time.
• Assist senior students to matriculate to postsecondary education for the fall semester immediately following high school graduation.
• Assist with tracking the postsecondary progress of students served for six years after high school graduation.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 1+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• No required certifications.
• Must obtain PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form, and Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and pass a motor vehicle records check.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States.

Qualifications

• Experience collaborating with school district personnel to assist participants with scheduling high school courses, providing academic counseling, and support services necessary to ensure completion of a rigorous curriculum.
• Experience reviewing and monitoring participants’ academic progress to guide implementation of grade‑level appropriate activities focused on postsecondary goals integrated with a salient career focus.
• Experience assisting participants with applying to postsecondary education and navigating the enrollment process.
• Experience providing information about financial aid, assisting participants with applying for aid, and interpreting financial aid packages.
• Experience coordinating and chaperoning postsecondary campus tours and career‑focused field trips.
• Experience developing and maintaining a network of professional relationships with postsecondary institutions and community agencies.
• Demonstrated experience providing direct college preparation services to 9th‑ through 12th‑grade students.
• Experience working with low‑income, first‑generation high school students from diverse backgrounds.
• Knowledge of and experience with