Upward Bound Lead Counselor/Educational Outreach Advisor
Upward Bound Lead Counselor/Educational Outreach Advisor
Job Description
Rappahannock Community College (RCC) is a two-campus institution serving a rural and diverse 12-county area in the Chesapeake Bay region of Virginia, whose mission is to provide inclusive access to exceptional training and educational opportunities meeting the community’s needs and preparing individuals for success as learners, employees, and citizens.
RCC seeks applicants for the Upward Bound Lead Counselor/Educational Outreach Advisor who shares RCC’s values of integrity, diversity, equity, and inclusion, excellence, access, and learning for life. This position is a professional faculty appointment. Excellent benefits package; salary commensurate with education and experience but no less than $59,441. Immediate appointment.
The College desires candidates with a commitment to the community college mission and experience working in a diverse student population, including adult learners and at-risk students. The successful candidate will be committed to academic excellence, continuous improvement through professional development, assessment, program and course development, and creating a collegial environment of civility, collaboration and open communication. The College strives for a faculty and staff with expertise in best practices, innovative strategies, and instructional technologies that support teaching and learning and who are well connected to the communities we serve. Finalists will be expected to deliver a presentation.
Under the guidance of the Project Director, the Upward Bound Lead Counselor/Educational Outreach Advisor’s duties include, the administration and implementation of the U.S. Department of Education funded Upward Bound Project. This project is dedicated to preparing high school students in the Essex, Lancaster, and Westmoreland counties to pursue post-secondary education. RCC’s Upward Bound program serves students who meet income eligibility guidelines, are potential first-generation college students and/or are considered academically at risk according to federal definitions.
The Upward Bound Lead Counselor/Educational Outreach Advisor is responsible for but not limited to conducting initial interviews with prospective program participants; completing comprehensive needs assessments; maintaining frequent contact with participants at target high schools; providing individual and group academic, career, college, personal and financial aid counseling to participants and their families; assisting with development and implementation of the academic year and summer programs; serving as liaison to participants, parents, high school and community outreach contacts. Extensive travel within RCC’s service region is required. The individual will need to be available to work some weekends during the academic school year (September – May) and some evenings after hours.
This is a full time, 12-month restricted professional faculty appointment with an excellent benefits package; contingent upon continuation of federal TRiO grant funding (current grant is funded through 8/31/27). Work will include limited evenings and weekends. Satisfactory completion of criminal background and reference checks are a condition of employment.
KSA’s/Required Qualifications: Master’s degree preferred, in counseling, education or related field required. Demonstrated ability to work with and a strong commitment to the educational advancement of low-income, first generation students required. Familiarity with grant-funded programs and ability to work within federal and state guidelines required. Must have demonstrated capability of being a team player and possess strong organizational, customer service, writing, and public speaking skills. Personal experience in overcoming academic and economic obstacles, and professional and/or experience with individualized and group counseling preferred. The position requires flexibility with work hours. Weekend and some evening work required.
Preferred Qualifications: Previous work in academic counseling. Experience with TRiO grant programs; experience working with disadvantaged populations. Experience in a higher education. Experience with retention and completion strategies employed with community college students and first-generation college students.
Special Instructions to Applicants
A FULLY completed VCCS online employment application, CV, cover letter describing qualifications, and a complete, legible and updated set of unofficial transcripts are required to be considered for this position. Copies of any licenses and certifications required by this position must also be included. Official transcripts of all college coursework completed are required of the selected candidate. Applications will only be accepted online through the VCCS ATS and must be received on or before April 12, 2022.
Rappahannock Community College intentionally develops its workforce to reflect the diversity of its region. The College maintains a workplace culture which values inclusion and demonstrates respect for all people. Further, Rappahannock Community College is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, disability or genetics. Rappahannock Community College complies with applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every college location.
For full description and to apply, visit: https://jobs.vccs.edu/postings/54670
The Virginia Community College System, an EEO employer, welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds and recognizes the benefits of a diverse workforce. Therefore, the VCCS is committed to providing a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. Employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications. We prohibit discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, mental or physical disabilities, political affiliation, veteran status, gender identity, or other non-merit factors.