About UMass Amherst
UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.
Job Summary
Within the Advocacy, Inclusion, and Support Programs (AISP) and under the supervision of the Upward Bound Director, the Assistant Director for Upward Bound plans, coordinates and supervises components of the program, including the provision of instructional services, oversight and assessment of all academic support programs, college access and career counseling for eligible students and coordination of the tutor mentoring component for the summer program.
Essential Functions
- Works with the Director on developing and modifying program goals, objectives, services, activities and policies that are in accordance with student needs, institutional objectives, services, activities and resources
, and grant requirements.
- Works with the Director in planning, implementing, administering, coordinating, monitoring and evaluating specific activities, functions, and services of the program.
- Participates in recruitment and manages program intake, working in schools with prospective applicants and their parents.
- Formally assesses students’ strengths and needs. Works with the schools and the surrounding community to resource students accordingly.
- Maintains comprehensive electronic data on students and their academic outcomes.
- Participates in postsecondary placement of students, provides advice and resources to students and families during the college application and financial aid application process. Plans college visits for seniors and provides transportation if needed. Serves as a general education and behavioral consultant for staff, parents, and school personnel.
- Designs, plans, organizes, and offers workshops during the academic year focused on increasing students’ academic and personal success.
- Facilitates academic, social, cultural, and social development enrichment activities to promote completion of a high school diploma and prepare to enter a postsecondary institution.
- Establishes positive rapport and lines of communication with program staff, University staff and faculty, teachers and administrators of target schools, as well as parents and members of the local community.
- Confers regularly with staff to plan and coordinate activities and workshops, assigns and reviews work and resolves problems.
- Participates in planning and implementation of all facets of the summer program, to include evaluation of students for appropriate class levels, scheduling of academic programs, planning of group excursions, hiring of summer staff, and arranging use of campus facilities.
- Establishes, monitors and refines participants’ instructional objectives and academic year activities through regular contact with program staff, school personnel, students, and family members.
- Monitors participants’ academic progress through regular contact with students, school personnel and family members.
- Assists the Director in preparing reports related to program goals and outcomes in accordance with grant requirements. Maintains and collects data needed for completion in accordance with federal reporting guidelines.
- Maintains confidentiality of information exposed to during business regarding students, supervisors, and other employees.
- Supports and implements Affirmative Action and non-discrimination policies and procedures and contributes to departmental goals.
Other Functions
- Performs related duties as assigned or required. Understands responsibilities with respect to Title IX, Clery and other compliance requirements.
- Demonstrates capacity, skill, and willingness to engage students and contribute to student success.
- Understands responsibilities with respect to conflicts of interest and behaves in ways consistent both with law and with University policy.
- Contributes toward creating a positive and respectful workplace. Uses access to sensitive and/or not yet public University-related information only in the performance of the responsibilities of position and exercises care to prevent unnecessary disclosure to others.
Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
- Bachelor’s Degree and two (2) years’ experience, including but not limited to, with students and/or individuals from diverse backgrounds, low income, and/or first generation to attend college; AND with Academic advising, TRIO programs, counseling, supplemental instruction and/or teaching at the secondary school level.
- Demonstrated sensitivity to circumstances of students and/or individuals from diverse backgrounds including low-income and/or first generation to attend college.
- Experience and knowledge about schools in urban environments.
- Ability to organize large and small group meetings at assigned school sites.
- Ability to develop curriculum appropriate to Upward Bound needs.
- Persuasive written and oral presentation skills.
- Demonstrated competence with Microsoft Office Suite, and presentation software and social networking sites.
- Evidence of supervisory skills.
- Valid driver’s license.
Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
- Master’s Degree or MSW.
- Knowledge and experience implementing the principles of youth development and positive behavioral supports and/or restorative practices.
Physical Demands/Working Conditions
- Typical office and high school environment.
- Ability to travel frequently to and from educational sites.
Work Schedule
37.5 hour per week position, must be available to work some evenings and weekends.
Salary Information
Level 26
PSU Hiring Ranges
Special Instructions to Applicants
Upload your resume, along with your completed application. Our team will check references at the final stage of the interview process. Please be prepared to provide contact information for at least three (3) professional references. This position will remain open until filled or the advertised closing date, whichever occurs first. Early submissions are recommended.
UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or genetic information in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of the UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.