Student Programs Advisor I

About Us:

USC TRIO Upward Bound program launched at USC in Fall 1977. Upward Bound program provides academic, career, and financial counseling to encourage students to graduate from high school and continue postsecondary education. Upward Bound also provides academic opportunities for youths who are at risk by encouraging them to re-engage with the educational system, complete their high school education, and continue to higher education.

Position Overview:

As the Student Programs Advisor I, you will assist with the recruitment, interviewing, and orientation of new students. This position will provide academic, career, and individual counseling to all student participants. The Advisor will assist with the planning and implementing educational, cultural, and social field trips and events and conduct graduation workshops to help participants successfully navigate the high school graduation process.\

This position will work with high school students to help them successfully enroll in postsecondary institutions and assist with career exploration and selection. This position will provide support and assistance with completing college and scholarship applications as well as workshops to prepare students to take the SAT college entrance test. The Student Programs Advisor I will support the Upward Bound program documentation efforts including maintaining program files and reports that adhere to federal mandates.

This role is primarily onsite work with very limited or no remote work. The position requires regular travel to partner high schools and community sites; a valid California driver's license and eligibility to operate your personal vehicle for program-related travel are required. The work schedule varies but is generally Tuesday through Saturday, with Sundays and Mondays off. The work schedule varies but is generally Tuesday through Saturday, with Sundays and Mondays off. The summer program involves living on campus with assigned day or night shifts.

The Student Programs Advisor I will report to the Upward Bound's Program Director and will work closely with a team of other professional staff members. This is a full-time, non-exempt, grant-funded position.

Key Responsibilities:

• Advises students regarding the college-going process.

• Reviews and evaluates applications.

• Works with the Program Director to plan and implement outreach programs and other recruitment projects.

• Assists in providing guidance to other academic advisors.

• Identifies, recruits, and serves a caseload of assigned participants.

• Establishes and maintains rapport with high school counselors and administrators.

• Counsel students on the college-going process.

• Assist in managing the program database.

• Ensure compliance with grant and federal regulations.

Preferred Qualifications and Skills:

• Computer skills, including complete knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, mail merges and printing, office equipment, and any supportive skills.

• Data management

• Bilingual in English and Spanish (written and verbal proficiency strongly preferred due to the predominantly Spanish-speaking students and families served by the program).

• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.

• Strong organizational skills, including the ability to organize resources.

• Ability to manage workload well and prioritize effectively when faced with multiple projects, events, and deadlines.

• Ability to respond/follow through quickly to problems and questions.

• Strong attention to detail.

• Ability to coordinate and maintain a complex calendar.

• Ability to work well under deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Ability to work independently as well as in a team setting.

• Ability to organize and coordinate special projects.

• Knowledge of barriers to postsecondary education faced by low-income and potential first-generation college youth in the target area.

Preferred Education/Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred in education, counseling, social work, higher education administration or other related fields.

• Minimum three (3) years of professional experience with federal TRIO Programs or related programs serving low income and first-generation college bound high school students.

Required Application Documents:

• Upload resume with cover letter as one document.

Compensation and Benefits

The hourly salaryrangefor this position is $25.05 to $26.00 per hour. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer alignment, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.