Counseling Services Coordinator

Program Overview

The GEAR UP RISE UP program has an outstanding opportunity for a Counseling Services Coordinator. This position is a grant‑funded position and contingent upon funding. This position is located in a remote site:
Yakima School District Middle/High School buildings. This position will interact with school administrative level staff such as the principal, counselors, and teachers.

For over 55 years, the Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity (OMA&D) has advanced diversity, equity, and inclusion at the University of Washington. Through our programs and partnerships, we create pathways for diverse populations to access postsecondary opportunities, nurture and support their academic success, and cultivate a campus climate that enriches the educational experience for all. This legacy of work continues to drive excellence at UW and together, we help the university work toward its vision for becoming a more just and equitable campus community.

More information about the Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity is available /OMAD.

Within OMA&D is the College Access unit that implements programs focused on expanding access for underserved communities by partnering with K-12 school districts, two‑year colleges, and community coalitions. The Gaining Early Awareness & Readiness for Undergraduate Programs, Rural Initiatives in STEM Education and Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP RISE UP) is the largest college access program serving middle and high school students.

Under the direction of the GEAR UP Director and Associate Director, the Counseling Services Coordinator (CSC) develops, plans, and delivers GEAR UP services to low‑income and first‑generation students and their families in Yakima School District. The CSC will help refine and implement GEAR UP Program objectives, procedures, practices and policies, and serve as the main point of contact for students and the public for information about GEAR UP.

The CSC monitors student performance and identifies students in need of extra support or intervention. They help prepare curriculum and services and collect data.

The CSC position requires sound judgment and expertise in school district and higher education policies, rigorous secondary curriculum and graduation requirements, postsecondary admissions, financial aid and career development, and an understanding of UW, Yakima School district and GEAR UP grant policies and regulations, and the educational landscape for low‑income and first‑generation student populations. The position requires the ability to collaborate with GEAR UP central office, district administrators, superintendents, principals, counselors, teachers, and staff;

and community partners to provide optimal services to students. The CSC must be able to utilize multiple systems for collecting, organizing and presenting information including databases, websites, and content management systems. They must also coordinate group activities, possess excellent time and project management skills, and be very organized to manage multiple concurrent projects. They need excellent communication skills and the ability to work with middle school and high school students, college staff and faculty, and parents/guardians from diverse backgrounds.

• Conduct advising sessions at each target school, monitor student progress, and communicate with students, families, teachers, and guidance counselors to support students and overcome obstacles to their success.
• Advise students about course selection and placement in advanced coursework and arrange for tutorial support, behavioral interventions, or referral to service agencies when needed.
• Work with students to individualize college planning by providing individual advising sessions to seniors and their families on college research and selection, college, scholarship and financial aid applications, and college enrollment and financial literacy.
• Monitor completion of college, financial aid, and scholarship applications, FAFSA, and college enrollment requirements for annual performance report (APR).
• Provide programming as services to participants and parents in the forms of family financial literacy…