ITE Upward Bound Advisor

Overview

• This position is open until filled with an initial application review to take place after November 19, 2025. 
• The pay rate for this position is $19.00 to $23.00 per hour depending upon qualifications and internal equities and is non-negotiable. 

The San Diego State University (SDSU) Institute for Transformative Education (ITE) is an institute under the College of Education. Our Vision: For students to have the foundation and resources to achieve their academic potential. Our Mission: To champion first-generation college-going, low-income students to discover their personal, educational, and career goals by providing comprehensive academic support, mentorship, and essential resources.

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. The Upward Bound (UB) Classic and STAR programs are grant-funded educational opportunity programs funded by the U.S. Department of Education. San Diego State University Research Foundation (SDSURF) administers these grants.

SDSU Upward Bound (UB) educational programs assist eligible high school students in pursuing and completing postsecondary education. Eligible students for Upward Bound are low-income or first-generation college students attending partner high schools in the San Diego area. UB is funded to serve 167 students (93 UB Classic and 74 UB STAR) during the Academic Year and a cohort of these students during the Six-Week Summer program. 

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, collaborate in the planning and implementation of the recruitment processes and engagement activities, and provide seniors with the support needed to successfully submit college and financial aid applications. In this capacity, the Advisor: 

• Has the experience and skills necessary to help students attain and achieve their academic goals. 
• Demonstrates an ability to work independently at in-person remote sites.
• Can work collaboratively with key high school counselors and teachers at their assigned schools.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for learning and adhering to the program and grant policies and procedures to secure the achievement of programmatic objectives. 
• 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 adjust work schedule to work at least one Saturday each month. 
• Must be able to work the Summer Residential Program as a Residential Advisor.

Program Development (15%)

• Help plan, implement, and co-facilitate new student orientations to include parents and their families.
• Assist in the development and facilitation of the engagement component (Advising sessions).
• Under the supervision of the Executive Director of ITE and the guidance of the UB Head Counselor, participate constructively in the ongoing development of ITE as a strategic-thinking, strategic-planning organization.
• Other duties of this position include, may include, but are not limited to:
• 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 Director and Assistant Director in monitoring recruitment protocols for assigned school sites 
• In cooperation with the 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 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.
• The Academic Advising role turns into the Residential Advisor role over the summer. 
• The Residential Advisor lives on campus with students in the dorms.
• 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:
• Attend all program functions and staff meetings.
• Attend all field experiences.

Other duties as assigned (5%)

Qualifications

Minimum Required Qualifications

• Experience working with high school students. 
• One or more years of previous experience as a youth leader, camp counselor, or equivalent. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS AND SPECIAL SKILLS

• 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

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.