Academic Counselor

Position Summary: The Academic Counselor for Educational Talent Search, under the supervision of the Director for Educational Talent Search, will provide guidance and assistance in postsecondary education for students at target schools. The job responsibilities of the Academic Counselor will be 100% related to the goals and objectives of the grant. Documentation of services and maintaining public relations are requirements for this position. The candidate must have a minimum of two (2) years of academic counseling experience. Additionally, experience in preparing and maintaining grants is preferred. Excellent written and oral communication skills are necessary. The candidate must be sensitive to, responsive to, and adept at working with low-income/first-generation/disabled students. Furthermore, the candidate must display a sincere interest and understanding of the absolute importance of increasing the retention and graduation rates of eligible students. This is a full-time position scheduled for forty (40) hours per week. This position is a 100 percent (100%) grant-funded position with an anticipated end date of August 31, 2026, and may or may not extend beyond the duration of the grant.

Qualifications: Candidate must have a minimum of two years experience in Counseling, Education, and/or other related fields. The candidate will have experience working with students from various backgrounds. The qualifications listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:

• A Bachelor’s degree is required (Master’s degree preferred) and a minimum of two years experience in Counseling, Education, or other related fields. Experience working with TRiO-eligible students, multicultural populations, and/or under-prepared students
• Ability to establish rapport with students from diverse backgrounds
• Ability to establish rapport with school, college, and community professionals
• Effective oral and written communication skills
• Familiarity with technology, internet, software, etc.
• Commitment to record-keeping, documentation, and data management
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and adapt to change.
• An understanding of federal grant program guidelines
• Prior experience with grant-funded programs is strongly preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Outlook, Excel, and other Microsoft functions
• Demonstrated ability to exercise good judgment and discretion in handling sensitive and confidential information
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively deal with diverse groups and individuals at various levels within the organization and the public
• Ability to work in a higher education environment and adapt to change
• An understanding of federal grant program guidelines
• The successful candidate will have experience in working with students from diverse backgrounds; additional qualifications would include prior experience working with TRiO, and knowledge of programs that serve low-income, first-generation, and/or disabled students.

Responsibilities:

• Note: Performs related duties as assigned
• Note: Duties are subject to change as the needs of the department change
• Note: Extended hours may be required on an as-needed basis, including evening, early morning, and weekend assignments (Note: Saturdays are required during the academic year)
• Assists with the general operations of the Educational Talent Search program

• Recruits, identifies, and selects the required number of verified program participants in each target school
• Assesses students’ interests, needs, and goals and develops meaningful curriculum and services to meet the needs of program participants
• Provides students with information about educational opportunities, financial aid/literacy, career exploration, motivation, and self-awareness through workshops, individual counseling, and classroom presentations
• Facilitates completion of applications for post-secondary education, summer academic enrichment camps, financial aid, scholarships, etc.
• Plans, organizes and co-supervises student field trips, college visits, and cultural activities
• With guidance and supervision implement mentoring (with college students and/or alumni), tutoring, re-entry, parent outreach, and/or after-school programming
• Provides parent workshops in a variety of areas such as financial aid/literacy, planning for college, study skills, summer enrichment, etc.

• Participates in staff meetings, team development sessions, school faculty meetings, and relevant committees; facilitates proactive communication amongst program staff.
• Assists with the creation of programmatic procedures and policies
• Maintains progress towards successful accomplishment of Division of Student Success and program objectives and goals

• Documents students’ need for service, their potential for post-secondary education, and verification of their income and first-generation status
• Maintains timely and accurate records including contact logs, case notes, and files
• Assists with data management, surveys, and program evaluations
• Assists with data collection (e.g., student information, school rosters, lunch roster, etc.)
• Provides information and referrals to program participants regarding community resources
• Maintains liaison with middle and high school staff, principals, and counselors in the target schools, professionals in the communities, parents, mentors, and Dillard University personnel
• Establishes and maintains relationships with post-secondary admissions personnel, TRiO professionals, TRiO alumni, and financial aid officers
• Maintains membership in TRiO professional organization (i.e., LASAP and SWASAP)
• Compiles data for Educational Talent Search
• Operates Blumen software system for data and student records
• Assists in maintaining the database and files of program students
• Assists in maintaining program files
• Assists with data management, surveys, and program evaluations
• Assists with data collection (e.g., student information, school rosters, lunch rosters, etc.)
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Program Director

Requirements: Candidate must have relevant academic counseling/advising experience. The candidate will have experience working with students from various backgrounds.

Physical Demands: The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. The job may require long hours sitting in front of a computer, walking across campus, and/or bending, stooping, and lifting.