SEARCH HAS BEEN REOPENED

The goal of TRIO College Access Programs is to assist students who are income-eligible and/or would be first-generation college students, to succeed at each level of school from grades 6-12 and to become college graduates. This position provides direct service and support to students through academic advising, career and college planning, financial literacy, and other instruction, and monitoring student progress at each grade level toward graduation from college. The Talent Search program is federally funded through a 5-year competitive, renewable grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s TRIO division, a part of the Office of Post-Secondary Education.

This position is a part-time (20-hour), 10-month position. Some morning/evening/weekend/holiday hours are required. Most business days (Monday-Friday) are spent in the partner schools following a mutually agreed upon schedule, which includes travel to middle and high schools in the Fort Kent and Madawaska area. The Academic Advisor’s position is fast-paced with job duties that are diverse in nature and vary from day to day. The workload requires an individual to have initiative, good judgment, and frequent multi-tasking. All positions are grant-funded, soft money appointments.

Based on the qualifications and experience of the successful applicant, the starting salary is $21,000. Additional benefits include medical, dental, vision, and tuition waiver programs for employees and dependents. The UMS is a recipient of the Wellness Councils of America’s Well Workplace Award and offers wellness programs.

Duties include:

• Recruit, select and enroll Talent Search students as defined by federal regulations and program policies.
• Use appropriate diagnostic tools to conduct needs assessment for each eligible student; design an individual plan of support, and provide ongoing monitoring.
• Visit assigned target schools monthly to provide academic support and program services to participating students.
• Coordinate academic enhancement activities including career exploration, high school curriculum planning, study skills, test-taking strategies, college visits, and other pre-college preparation and planning.
• Develop and conduct presentations and workshops for ongoing curriculum.
• Engage in collaborative efforts to ensure comprehensive support and education opportunities for students, seeking internal and external resources to augment program services as appropriate.
• Document student progress as it relates to the needs assessment and learning plan.
• Maintain student hard files and electronic database to include all necessary documentation in compliance with federal requirements.

For a full list of the position's duties, please visit the complete job description.

Learn more about what Aroostook County has to offer here.

Required:

• Baccalaureate required in educational counseling, education, psychology, social work, or other appropriate and related field.
• At least two years of demonstrated, employed experience working with low-income and educationally disadvantaged youth and/or adults in an educational environment.
• Demonstrated respect for adolescents.
• Demonstrated sensitivity and experience working with individuals from diverse social, economic, ethnic, academic, and cultural backgrounds and understanding of barriers to be overcome by TRIO participants.
• Must have ability to travel to assigned schools, including a valid driver’s license and ownership of a reliable, fully-insured vehicle, and a clean driving record to drive University vehicles.

Preferred:

• Master’s degree strongly preferred in the above degree fields, or individuals who are currently pursuing master’s degrees and have the required experience in direct service.
• Three or more years of related work experience.
• Preference is also given to individuals who have succeeded in overcoming the disadvantages of circumstances like those of the population the project serves.
• Experience with and demonstrated understanding of college admissions and financial aid processes for low-income students.
• Experience working in programs with objectives similar to Talent Search.
• Knowledge of respective target schools preferred.

Employees in the University of Maine System are required to comply with UMS COVID protocols which currently include but are not limited to, being vaccinated or obtaining a qualified vaccination exemption. Further information can be found here.

WE ARE UNABLE TO CONSIDER APPLICANTS WHO NEED VISA SPONSORSHIP.

Appropriate background screening will be conducted for the successful candidate.

The University of Maine at Presque Isle is an EEO/AA employer, and does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender expression, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, genetic information or veteran’s status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The following office has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Office of Equal Opportunity, University of Maine, 101 North Stevens Hall, Orono, ME 04469 207-581-1226. TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).