Description

The Upward Bound Program (UB) at Binghamton University is one of TRIO's college access and preparation programs funded by the United States Department of Education. Upward Bound is an academic program that helps low-income and first-generation students achieve academic success in high school and prepares them for continued success in the college of their choice. The goal of Upward Bound is to increase the rate at which participants complete secondary education and enroll in and graduate from colleges and universities.

The Academic Counselor supports the overall mission to retain and prepare first-generation, low-income high school students participating in the Upward Bound Program for college enrollment. The Academic Counselor will collaborate with colleagues to provide various opportunities for participants to build strong academic and social skills. The Academic Counselor will assist in planning, organizing, and facilitating program activities and events, and with recruitment and retention of program participants.

Primary responsibilities include:

Student Advisement:

Travel to assigned target high schools regularly to provide academic, career, financial, and personal advising to students and meet with school personnel
Build strong, positive relationships with UB participants
Assist in recruitment efforts to select project participants who meet eligibility criteria
Maintain contact and conduct outreach to parents/families as needed
Refer to community agencies and campus partners as needed to support the needs of students
Maintain accurate and detailed student records and other data specified by the Director and the grant regulations
Confirm graduates' enrollment and attendance at colleges and universities
Community Planning and Coordination:    

Coordinate and supervise occasional overnight and weekend trips, day trips, college/technical school visits, parent meetings, and student workshops as assigned
Assist with creating and maintaining the activity calendar for the academic year. 
Communications: 

Assist with the development of content for program newsletters, brochures, flyers, and other publication materials as needed
The employee communicates effectively and professionally both verbally and in writing 
Summer Residential Program:

The Upward Bound Summer Program promotes academic success and college access for first-generation and low-income students by providing a living/learning environment at Binghamton University for six-weeks each summer. Primary responsibilities of the Academic Counselor during summer program include:

Assist in recruitment and selection of the summer residential and teaching staff
Assist in the development and delivery of staff orientation sessions
Support the supervision of student staff
Review reports as needed to track student progress throughout the summer
Provide individual and group academic, career, financial, and personal guidance to participating students as needed
In collaboration with guidance counselors, teachers, and students, place students in appropriate summer program classes or connect them with appropriate summer school options
Assist in coordinating all off-campus summer program activities and help supervise students and staff during all activities and travel.
Provide mentoring and transitional support to first-year college students participating in the UB summer bridge component.

Requirements

Required: 

Bachelor's degree required
Minimum two years of related experience (counseling, teaching, advising and/or mentoring experience with high school students or college students from a variety of experiences)
Due to required travel to local high schools, must provide own transportation, proof of valid driver's license, and dependable transportation
Strong organizational, analytical, interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills 
Ability to work independently, manage multiple projects, and meet deadlines
Professional ethics appropriate to the position
Ability to relate to and establish rapport with students, parents, school administrators and personnel, service agency personnel, and university personnel in a positive manner
Preferred: 

Master's degree in Social Work, Counseling, Guidance and School Counseling, Education, or related field preferred
Experience with student database management system (e.g., Student Access, School Tool)
Knowledge of Upward Bound, Upward Bound Math & Science, and other educational access programs.