Counselor, TRIO Upward Bound

Title: Counselor, TRIO Upward Bound

Employee Classification: Professional F/T 52 Wks Unit  

Department: VP, Student Affairs' Office

Salary Range: $45,028

Who we are:

We are not-for-profit: St. Louis Community college (STLCC) is a non-profit institution dedicated to empowering students, expanding minds, and changing lives. Employees are committed to strengthening the St. Louis community with inclusive and transformative education.

We are a respected employer: For 60 years, STLCC has served the St. Louis community, expanding to 4 main campuses, 2 education centers, 2 workforce training centers, and 5 centers of excellence. More than one-half of the households in St. Louis have at least one member who has taken classes at STLCC.

We make an impact in the community: Through credit courses, continuing education, and workforce development programs, STLCC annually serves nearly 69,000 students.  More than 80% of career and technical graduates employed in their fields or continue their education at four-year institutions within six months of graduation.  STLCC sends more transfer students to Missouri’s four-year colleges/universities than anyone else.

We value Diversity, equity & inclusion: STLCC is committed to fostering an atmosphere of appreciation for all people, regardless of race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or class.

What you get:

Benefits package [for full-time employees]: STLCC offers one of the best benefit packages in the St. Louis area. As a STLCC employee you will have access to a 100% match on your contribution to retirement, two health insurance plans options that are no cost to the employee - including an HSA option, low-cost life insurance with a 3x salary benefit, and other low-cost benefits including dental, vision, AD&D, ST LT disability insurance.

Opportunity to grow: Over half of our employees have served the college for more than 12 years, exploring different career paths and advancing to higher level positions.

Education & training opportunities: STLCC offers tuition waivers for employees [full-time and part-time] + their dependents.  Full-time employees can take advantage of tuition reimbursement for other institutions after just 6 months of service, and an annual professional development allotment.

Work/life balance: Full-time STLCC employees have access to a generous time off package, including holidays, vacation, personal days, medical leave, and other leave options. Our holiday schedule even includes a paid winter holiday at the end of the calendar year.

Commitment to wellness: STLCC HR boasts a dedicated health and wellness specialist who is enthusiastic about creating a culture of wellness throughout the College. With access to college wellness vendors, employees are educated, motivated, and rewarded for healthy behaviors. STLCC employees and anyone living in their household also have access to an employee assistance program (EAP) that can help them with virtually any life need.

The basics of this position:

Serves students in the TRIO Upward Bound program, a federally funded grant designed to support limited income and potentially first-generation students in reaching their academic goals including high school and college graduation. Upward Bound Counselors work in area high schools (Soldan High School, Roosevelt High School & Confluence Prep Academy) and provide advising and mentoring, assist in course selection, assist students and families in applying for federal financial aid and scholarships, and assist students in identifying and applying to post-secondary institutions. Counselors also plan and implement cultural enrichment activities, college tours, Saturday classes, and organize a six-week summer program.

What you'll do:

• Conducts individual and group advising sessions with Upward Bound students related to course selection, major and career exploration, college entrance preparation and financial literacy.
• Assists with new student recruitment efforts, including facilitating orientations, meeting with students to conduct intake interviews, and facilitating presentations to various stakeholders including students, parents, and area middle and high schools.
• Develops and updates individualized education plans for students.
• Administers assessments and inventories and assists in conducting follow-up surveys with graduates.
• Assists students and families in applying for federal financial aid such as completing the FAFSA.
• Assist students in identifying and applying for scholarships.
• Maintains student files, tracks contacts, maintains student records, and completes reports.
• Builds and maintains cooperative working relationships with students, families, high school instructors, counselors, administrators, and community organizations.
• Plans, implements and facilitates personal, academic and career development classes during Saturday and Summer academies.
• Plans and implements cultural enrichment activities, college tours, Saturday and Summer academies.
• Plans and facilities workshops including those for students and parents as well as training workshops for tutors, facilitators and student workers.
• May supervise and oversee tutors, facilitators and student workers.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

*This position requires staff to work two Saturdays a month beginning in October – April of each year. This position also requires traveling with students on multi-day college tours and field trips throughout the year.

Education, experience, and other requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in the area of education, counseling required, and at least two years’ experience working with target student population.
  
• Applicant must also possess strong communication, organizational, public speaking, and interpersonal skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in education, counseling or related field is preferred
• Experience in overcoming barriers similar to those confronting students served by the project
• Previous experience working for TRIO Upward Bound or other TRIO programs

About St. Louis Community College

STLCC has provided opportunity for all. As the largest higher educational institution in the region, STLCC has served more than 1.2 million students. Over 50% of households in the St. Louis area are represented in our former and current student body. Since 1962, St. Louis Community College has held fast to the fundamental belief that education has the power to lift us up — as individuals, as communities and as a city.Today, STLCC consistently ranks among the top associate degree-awarding institutions in the United States. As we launch students into new and better careers, four-year degrees and richer lives, we strengthen St. Louis one student at a time. The College employs 1,400+ full-time faculty and staff and 2,300+ part-time faculty and staff

Connections working at St. Louis Community College