Academic Advisor

The salary range for this position is $19.00 - 23.00 per hour depending upon qualifications and is non-negotiable. 

Under supervision, incumbents provide lead direction, training and/or mentorship to lower level Youth Leaders (Youth Leader I).

The San Diego State University (SDSU) Institute for Transformative Education (ITE) is an institute under the
School of Teacher Education, College of Education. Our Vision: For students to have the foundation and
resources to achieve their academic potential. The purpose of SDSU Upward Bound is to develop in students
the motivation and skills to assist them in pursuing and completing a program of postsecondary education.
SDSU Upward Bound (UB) educational programs assist eligible low-income and/or first-generation college-going
high school students in pursuing and completing postsecondary education.
The SDSU TRIO Upward Bound Program is 100% supported by the Office of Postsecondary Education of the
U.S. Department of Education through grant awards totaling $860,446 for the current grant year. San Diego
State University Research Foundation (SDSURF) administers these grants.
The SDSU TRIO Upward Bound Program is accredited by the American Camp Association.

The Advisor for Upward Bound is responsible for the implementation of program objectives in order to meet
program needs. The advisor also participates in planning program activities and data collection that meet
Department of Education requirements. During the academic year, the Upward Bound Advisor's primary role is
to conduct weekly advising sessions with student participants at the partner school sites, collaborate in the
planning and implementation of the recruitment processes and engagement activities, including Saturday
Sessions, and provide seniors with the support needed to successfully submit college and financial aid
applications. During the summer, the UB Advisor’s primary role is the Residential Advisor. As a Residential
Advisor, the role is to act as the summer camp counselor - ensure the safety of participants, team building,
activity planning, and basic needs support with daily routines, hygiene, and dietary needs.
The person assigned to this role is required to be a Mandated Reporter and must maintain professional
relationships with student participants.

Program Development (15%)
Help plan, implement, and co-facilitate new student orientations to include parents and their families.
Help develop and implement program curriculum in alignment with each grade level.
Assist in the development and facilitation of the engagement component (Advising sessions).
Helps plan and implement new innovations as required by the Department of Education and other
programmatic innovative services.
Proactively participates in assessing the program curriculum and provides actionable feedback.
Other duties of this position may include, but are not limited to:
Collection and assessment of student transcripts and exam results from the partner schools.
Translate transcript information to determine student progress on meeting program objectives.
Will assist with the system for student tracking to include participation in the academic year,
attendance at advising sessions, and academic progress in meeting A-G requirements.

Participant Recruitment (30%)
Assist the Executive Director and Assistant Director in monitoring recruitment protocols for assigned
school sites
In cooperation with the Executive Director and Assistant Director, assist with reviewing and revising
recruitment protocols, tools, and strategies to fit the needs of the school sites assigned.
Recruit students following the approved program protocol and eligibility standards. Use informational
materials, screen applications for appropriate documents, and verify recruitment eligibility using
established program protocols and criteria.
Conduct intake interviews, rate candidates, and recommend the selection of program participants to
the Director and Assistant Director.
Conduct timely/regular contacts with potential students and their parents to get complete program
applications.

Academic Advising (45%)
Provide advising services to participants at school sites, online, and where appropriate. These services
include, but are not limited to, personal problem-solving, academic advice, building positive peer
support, enhancing communication skills, career planning, academic skill-building, study skills
techniques, and motivational counseling.
Conduct needs assessment and develop Individual Learning Plans (ILPs).
Check students' A-G progress.
Conduct college admissions and financial aid advising with senior participants.
Document all student contacts and services: using the Participant Service Sheets (PSS), service
contacts, student case notes, Individual Learning Plans (ILPs), academic assessments/goals, senior
tracking information, attendance rosters, and the alumni tracking forms (student and registrar).
Conduct timely/regular student follow-up contacts at school sites and online.
Provide support to students with financial award letters and scholarships.

Six-Week Summer Academy (5% AY, 100% Summer)
Support with recommendations and recruitment of student participants.
Support with screening of submitted student applications for the summer academy
Assist with Summer Academy recruitment presentations at school sites as needed
Assist with the interview process for summer academy staff as needed.
Must be able to transition to the Residential Advisor position during the 6-week Summer Academy.
The Residential Advisor must live on campus with students in the residence halls.
Must be able to travel with students during any Summer Academy overnight activities.
Attends mandatory RA trainings and activities.
Is responsible for a group of 10-12 students during the summer.
Other summer duties of this position include, but are not limited to:
o Attend all program functions and staff meetings.
o Attend all field experiences.

Other duties as assigned (5%)

Qualifications & Special skills

• Experience working with high school students.
• One or more years of previous experience as a youth leader, tutor, camp counselor, or equivalent.
• Must be able to maintain a schedule to serve three assigned school sites: El Cajon Valley High School, Morse High School, and Mount Miguel High School.
• Must be able to maintain a schedule that requires in-person performance of duties at the assigned school sites.
• Must be able to adhere to common working hours; Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 4:30 PM at assigned school sites and the SDSU campus.
• Must be able to work a minimum of one Saturday each month during the academic year.

Minimum Education

• None

Minimum Experience

• One or more years of previous experience as a youth leader, camp counselor, or equivalent.

Preferred Qualifications

• Has the experience and skills necessary to help students attain and achieve their academic goals.
• Demonstrates an ability to work independently at in-person and remote sites.
• Can work collaboratively with key high school counselors and teachers at their assigned schools.
• Bachelor’s Degree in education, counseling, psychology, or a related field.
• 4 years of progressively successful experience in a role similar to that of this position.
• Two years of experience in advising/mentoring high school students.
• Experience coordinating events for groups.
• Knowledge of TRIO programs and regulations, or of other outreach programs with similar goals and objectives as TRIO programs.
• Experience working with the populations served by the three school sites assigned.

ADDITIONAL APPLICANT INFORMATION

• Candidate must reside in California and live within a commutable distance from SDSU at time of hire.
• Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on background check results (including a criminal record check).
• San Diego State University Research Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU Research Foundation provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin or any other categories protected by federal or state law.  
• Employment decisions are based on an individual’s qualifications as they relate to the job under consideration. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every employee has equal access to resources and support. 
• SDSU Research Foundation complies with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), and other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws including grant or contract terms and conditions related to funded program activities. Further the SDSU Research Foundation maintains a Nondiscrimination Policy that prohibits discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all programs, policies, and practices.  
• SDSU Research Foundation makes all employment decisions including, but not limited to, applicant screening, hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, benefits, disciplinary actions, and terminations on the basis of merit.