Program Advisor at Reading High School - TRIO Upward Bound Programs

POSITION SPECIFICS

Upward Bound Programs (UBP) includes five federally funded TRIO grants through the Department of

Education:

four Upward Bound (UB) and one Upward Bound Math and Science (UBMS). Two grants serve students at Reading High School. These grants help high‑school students gain academic skills and motivation to continue their education beyond high school. UBP is located within The Office of the Vice Provost for Educational Equity at Penn State.

UBP is seeking a Program Advisor to work with approximately 100 students attending Reading High School. Office space at Penn State Berks will also be provided and shared with an additional Reading High UBP program advisor. A UBP program advisor assists in organizing, developing, and implementing social, educational, and service learning programs and activities for Upward Bound Participants. The successful candidate will be responsible for student recruitment and programming for grant‑determined school district population, parent/student events, and community stakeholders.

The counselor will advise, tutor, or refer program participants on various student services including high school course selection, college readiness, financial aid, health and wellness, career services, academic advising, student leadership, and diversity and inclusion. Additionally, the counselor will develop and implement academic year and summer residential programming in compliance with federal guidelines as outlined in the grant, and develop and maintain effective working relationships with school districts, community partners, and campus and university‑wide offices.

This position will require occasional evening and weekend hours, as well as some overnight travel for UBP meetings, retreats, and conferences. The program advisor will also reside in a residence hall during the annual UBP Summer Academy to help implement programming and supervise students.

This position is funded for 1 year; continuation beyond 1 year will be based on university need, performance, and or availability of funding.

• Understand and articulate unit policies and federal grant guidelines in oral and written communication.
• Demonstrated experience in providing direct college preparation services to 9th through 12th‑grade students.
• Experience working with low‑income, first‑generation high‑school students from different backgrounds.

• Bachelor’s degree in counselor education, college student personnel, psychology, social work, education, higher education administration, or a STEM field.
• Knowledge and experience with federally funded TRIO programs.
• Familiarity with second language learners as many of our students are bilingual.

Bachelor’s Degree; 1+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Required

Certifications:

None.

This position requires the following clearances in addition to applicable background checks: PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form, and Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check. This position requires that you operate a motor vehicle as part of your job duties. A valid driver’s license and successful completion of a motor vehicle records check will be required in addition to standard background checks.

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $42,100.00 - $61,000.00.

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full‑time employees, including comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, robust retirement plans, and substantial paid time off that includes holidays, vacation, and sick time. One of the standout benefits is a generous 75 percent tuition discount, available to employees and eligible spouses and children.

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact .