Job Information
University of Washington COUNSELING SERVICES COORDINATOR in Seattle, Washington
Req #: 231849
Department: OFFICE OF MINORITY AFFAIRS AND DIVERSITY
Posting Date: 04/16/2024
Closing Info: Open Until Filled
Salary: $6,250 - $7,500 per month
Limited Recruitment:
Other
Shift: First Shift
Notes: As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For a complete description of our benefits for this position, please visit our website, click here. (https://hr.uw.edu/benefits/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/02/benefits-professional-staff-librarians-academic-staff-20230701_a11y.pdf )
As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.
UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.
For over 50 years, the Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity (OMA&D) has advanced diversity, equity, and inclusion at the University of Washington, a campus that sits on tribal land. Through our programs and partnerships, we create pathways for diverse populations to access postsecondary opportunities, nurture and support their academic success, and cultivate a campus climate that enriches the educational experience for all. This legacy of work continues to drive excellence at the UW and together, we help the university work toward its vision for becoming a more just and equitable campus community. More information about the Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity is available at uw.edu/OMAD.
Within OMA&D is the College Access unit that implements programs focused on expanding access for underserved communities by partnering with K-12 school districts, two-year colleges, and community coalitions.
The University of Washington’s GEAR UP Achievers Program was launched in 2018 and designed to dramatically increase the number of first generation, low income, and students of color who graduate from high school and enter and succeed in post secondary education. GEAR UP Achievers serves 5,100 students in Kent, Renton, Tukwila, and Auburn. The program supports students and their families starting in 6th and 7th grade through high school graduation and postsecondary enrollment. GEAR UP Achievers has a focus on STEM and provides programming for students, families, and schools including academic supports, college advising, financial aid workshops, summer programs, afterschool programs, new and expanded partnerships, college visits, worksite visits, internships, affinity based programs, and more! To find out more you can visit the GEAR UP Achievers website at: https://depts.washington.edu/gearupac/
GEAR UP has an outstanding opportunity for a GEAR UP Counseling Services Coordinator (E S 7), working title College Navigator. This posting may be used to fill an additional opening.
Under the supervision of the Director of GEAR UP WA Achievers, the College Navigator provides critical development, implementation, and coordination of a first year college support program to a cohort of graduating seniors within South King County. The program is designed to help low-income and first-generation students succeed in middle school and high school, enroll in college, and obtain a degree. The Navigator will provide supports to students in their senior year of high school and the first year of post-secondary education, helping them navigate the transition.
The College Navigator works collaboratively with the GEAR UP team in the development and implementation of GEAR UP programming and events. This position also works closely with faculty, staff, and students to develop effective strategies to support the academic success of GEAR UP students.
The College Navigator requires the use of sound judgment and expertise and understanding of best practices in youth development, family engagement, k-12 education, financial aid, and first year college support. The position also requires an understanding of GEAR UP policies and regulations, and the educational landscape for low-income and first generation student populations. This position requires the ability to collaborate with UW and college campus administrators, faculty, researchers, and staff; South King County School administrators, principals, counselors, teachers, and staff; and community partners to provide optimal services to students.
This position will need the ability to navigate multiple complex k-12 school districts and college campuses, and establish effective partnerships with college offices such as admissions, registration, financial aid, community partners, and 8 high schools. Additionally, they will represent the University of Washington to 5,100 GEAR UP students and their families in South King County while developing and facilitating curriculum, programming, and events. They must be familiar with bilingual and bicultural family engagement, communications strategies, and programming in diverse communities. Compliance with federal guidelines associated with Department of Education grants.
This position will provide support to a cohort of South King County seniors during the 2023-24 school year. This work will be majority within the Auburn, Kent, Renton, and Tukwila school districts. For the 2024-25 school year, support will follow students through their first year of college and will require work on college campuses within WA State and virtual support for students who attend colleges outside of Washington.
This position is based out of a UW office located in Kent, WA and is primarily in person. Limited remote work may be available based on supervisor approval. This position will include frequent travel to k-12 schools and college campuses, including regional travel. There may be temporary work assignments at college across WA state while delivering programs and services. Work schedule is typically Monday-Friday 8:00AM to 5:00PM, and will include evenings and weekends as needed to support student and community events.
The College Navigator for the GEAR UP Achievers program will work with students, families, k-12 schools, and college campuses to promote and develop strategies, activities, and resources to ensure college readiness and first year success in STEM fields and success of low-income first generation students. This position requires the ability to collaborate with students, families, and schools to develop innovative college access events, parent academies, and summer programs that utilize best practices for supporting GEAR UP students who are motivated to pursue higher education in STEM fields. The Navigator will increase communications and visibility of University of Washington in South King County communities and contribute to higher applications and admittance of first-generation and underrepresented minorities at UW and other postsecondary programs across the state and nation.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES : Student Advising – 60% 30% - Support a cohort of South King County high school seniors through their senior year of high school and their first year of college
Provide case management services and programming related to community building, navigating postsecondary education, financial aid, career and self-exploration. This will be done through one on one check ins in person and virtually, workshops, and events
Provide differentiated advising to students who are first generation, low-income, and/or students of color who face more barriers to accessing higher education
Outreach to students who are in the GEAR UP cohort and find ways to creatively problem solve, connect students to resources for basic needs, collaborate with campus partners and CBO partners to support students, and identify wholistic needs of students
Identify students who have not enrolled in post-secondary and provide re-engagement supports
Stay up to date on emerging best practices in college access and advising, strategies to support first gen students, and changes to admissions processes and financial aid at the state and national level
Complete degree audits with students to ensure they are on track to transfer or graduate and monitor continued eligibility for majors, financial aid and scholarships15% - Develop communications and content for student outreach that will be shared via social media, website posts, and more. Utilize text-based communication platform including: registering students, creating content, and sending consistent communications. Provide virtual advising to students using communication tools
Communicate with students using texting, phone calls, e-mails, in person outreach, and more15% - Support GEAR UP coordinators and staff with implementation of school based events for students and parents including college visits, financial aid nights, family engagement, college preparedness and morePartnership and Planning – 35% 20% - Build and expand partnerships with post secondary institutions across the state of Washington to increase support for GEAR UP Achievers students in their first year of college
Collaborate and develop strong relationships with key offices and departments including admissions, registration, financial aid, multi-cultural advising and more
Build partnerships with 2 year, 4 year, technical schools, and apprenticeship programs
Build and expand partnerships with CBO partners and collaborate effectively to support student and program needs
Support student transitions and connections to on campus supports15% - Support the planning and coordination of regional GEAR UP events like College Signing Day, Parent Academy, College Jumpstart, and Fall Kickoff and year-round workshops
Meet with partners, facilitate content, develop materials, create and utilize project management planning tools like workplans5% - Other duties as assignedLead for community eventsThis position is based out of a UW office located in Kent, WA. This position will include frequent travel to k-12 schools and college campuses, including regional travel. There may be temporary work assignments at college across WA state while delivering programs and services. Work schedule will include evenings and weekends as needed to support student and community events. Work is performed typically in an office environment and uses a computer, telephone and other office equipment as needed to perform duties. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Bachelor's Degree and 3 years of experience working in a K-12 or post-secondary education setting, providing college access services for students and parents or experience working with large federal or state grants including GEAR UP, TRIO, Upward Bound, or TALENT SEARCH.
Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Experience helping students complete financial aid and college applications, and navigate the transitions from k-12 to post-secondary education
Effective program management skills including setting goals and communicating them to stakeholders, ongoing communication with stakeholders, relationship management, meeting reporting requirements, managing time effectively, prioritizing tasks, and meeting tight program deadlines.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including public speaking and articulating ideas clearly in person and in writing required.
Experience working with high school and college students from historically excluded minority, low income or first-generation backgrounds and demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse populations required.
The ability to work independently and as part of a team. DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Experience working in Bilingual and/or bicultural environments and engaging students and families.
Knowledge of South King County partners, schools, regional initiatives and communities.
Knowledge of WA State Post Secondary Institutions and pathways, including college admissions and finance requirements.
Proficient in Microsoft Office including Excel PowerPoint, SharePoint and Teams.
Bilingual in one of top 10 language spoken in South King County. Application Process: The application process may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you will be prompted to do so the next time you your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are access ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.
University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.