PROFESSIONAL POSITION DESCRIPTION
Position Title: TRIO Advisor, Upward Bound
Division:
Provost
Department: Upward Bound
Location:
Primary location is Gorham with regular travel to high schools and
communities served by Upward Bound at USM
Schedule:
Full time, Monday-Friday, morning/evening/weekend/holiday hours required.
Position is a soft-money appointment.
Reports to: Executive Director, TRIO Programs at USM
STATEMENT OF THE JOB: Upward Bound at USM is a federally-funded program supported by
two 5 year competitive renewable grants from the U.S. Department of Education’s TRIO
program. The goals of Upward Bound at USM are to assist high school students who are
income-eligible, would be first generation college students, and/or who meet academic high
risk criteria, to succeed in high school and to become college graduates. USM has offered a
regular Upward Bound program since 1995 and the current grants are funded through August
2017. Upward Bound at USM serves students at Biddeford, Bonny Eagle, Massabesic, Sacopee
Valley and Sanford High Schools.
The Advisor works with the Executive Director and other Upward Bound at USM staff to
collaboratively plan and implement the program and achieve standardized program goals and
objectives for two federal grants: 1) RSU and 2) Sanford/Biddeford. This position provides
direct service and support to students through academic, career and college planning, and
monitoring student progress toward graduation from college. Specific responsibilities include
the provision of guidance and mentoring to optimize the student retention and success in
college. The person in this position reports to the Executive Director of TRIO Programs at USM.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
 Work with the Executive Director and UB Coordinator and Advisors to develop and
implement the “Plan to Inform” the USM community and southern Maine community
including meetings, presentations, articles, activity calendars, events, posters,
brochures, newsletters and reports designed to inform others about the Upward Bound
program and generate referrals of students to the program.
 Enter and maintain data for caseload of Upward Bound at USM students in compliance
with funder requirements, standardized program objectives and program record
keeping protocols.
 With the Executive Director and other Upward Bound at USM staff, develop and
implement of the academic-year activities including but not limited to student
recruitment, admission, orientation, retention, graduation, reunion, tutoring, college
visits; educational field trips, cultural enrichment, workshops on leadership, study skills,
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career and educational development, college admissions and financial aid; and other
regularly scheduled events for Upward Bound at USM students.
With the Executive Director and other Upward Bound at USM staff, develop and
implement the Summer Residential Program including but not limited to monitoring and
support of student participation; development and preparation of course and program
materials; in-classroom delivery of course materials and curricula; supervision of
Summer Program staff; monitoring students in summer internship placements; lead
and participate in scheduled events for Upward Bound at USM students; coordination of
food service, residential accommodations, classroom scheduling and reservations,
transportation reservations and route mapping; etc.
Develop and maintain effective and on-going working relationships with administrators,
guidance professionals and teachers at Upward Bound at USM’s partner schools;
develop and maintain effective and productive relationships with Upward Bound at
USM students and their parents/guardians.
Counsel and advise all Upward Bound at USM students and their parents/guardians on
college preparatory academic and co-curricular activities. Work in high schools with
students and their guidance counselors and teachers.
Counsel and advise all Upward Bound at USM students on career exploration and
selecting a college or university.
Counsel, advise, and assist Upward Bound at USM seniors on application to and financial
aid for college, including coordinating standardized exams, writing letters of
recommendation; assisting with assembly and submission of applications to colleges
and universities; and advising students on and completing FAFSA, CSS PROFILE, and
applying for scholarships.
Seek, hire, and supervise tutors as necessary and as budget allows. Provide directly or
arrange for tutoring and/or other academic support to Upward Bound at USM students
across the subjects, as needed and appropriate.
Plan and lead college visits, field trips, cultural enrichment and other scheduled events
for Upward Bound at USM students; as well as workshops for Upward Bound at USM
students on study skills, career and educational development, college preparation,
admission and financial aid.
Counsel and support Upward Bound at USM alumni, as appropriate to support UB grant
goals.
Participate in the updating of the Upward Bound web page and other electronic
communications. Work with office publications; i.e. editing, drafting, etc.
Additional duties as reasonably assigned by the Executive Director.
SPECIAL ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES*:
 Broad access, including but not limited to master key or swipe card access, to University
facilities, residences, or apartments.
 Direct access to or responsibility for controlled or hazardous substances.
 Direct responsibility for safety and security of employees, students, minors, and/or
visitors or property.
 Direct responsibility for care, safety, and security of minors (under 18), incapacitated
persons, or persons with developmental disabilities who participate in Universitysponsored programs.
 Ability to drive a University vehicle and provide proof of a valid driver’s license.
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Ability to drive colleagues, students or others and provide proof of a valid driver’s
license.
Ability to provide own transportation (fully-insured vehicle), provide proof of a valid
driver’s license, and compliance with Maine law regarding vehicle insurance.
Work on federally funded projects.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Graduate Assistants, temporary and student employees,
volunteers and Summer Residential Program staff. Demonstrates knowledge and experience in
maintaining a safe working/learning environment.
BUDGET RESPONSIBILITIES: The Advisor must have a working knowledge of the program and
grant budget requirements and the program’s budget context. He/she does not have
budgetary responsibilities.
PUBLIC AND PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES RELATED TO JOB PERFORMANCE: Maintain
membership and participate in TRIO professional organizations. Attend and, as appropriate,
make presentations at, conferences or workshops in the field of expertise. Serve on University
committees or task forces as appropriate. Participate in professional development activities.
INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL CONTACTS:
Internal: Communicates with all departments and all ranks as appropriate for
implementing all components of the Upward Bound at USM program, e.g.
Undergraduate Admission; Student Support Services; Business Office; Facilities and
Maintenance; Dining Services; Transportation Services; Residential Life; Registrar and
Room Scheduling, etc. Maintains collaborative relationship with all levels of faculty,
professional, classified staff at USM.
External: School guidance directors, counselors, and administrative support staff;
students and parents/guardians; business and community organization partners; TRIO
and Upward Bound at USM community including MEEOA and NEOA; and other colleges’
and universities’ admissions and financial aid offices.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
 Understanding of high school and higher education.
1. Knowledge of high school curriculum and college preparatory academics.
2. Knowledge of public high-school guidance practices (e.g. curriculum,
administration, culture, and politics).
3. Knowledge of the college admissions and financial aid process.
4. Knowledge of career and educational development processes and strategies.
 Demonstrated understanding of adolescent development and learning.
 Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds, interests, and abilities.
 Strong interpersonal and written communication skills.
1. Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion, as appropriate.
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2. Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with all audiences in person, on
the phone, and in large group settings.
3. Ability to listen openly and attentively, to ask questions designed to gather
necessary information, to assess student, staff, parent/guardian, or school
personnel needs, and to respond appropriately within established guidelines.
4. Comfort with different types of writing styles such as federal grants,
performance reports; evaluations; and correspondence.
5. Ability to write clear and concise contact notes documenting student progress
and plans for future in a timely manner
Demonstrated skill in group dynamics, able to facilitate meetings and negotiate
differences.
Demonstrated leadership and organizational skills.
Ability to learn new information quickly and easily including details of the Upward
Bound at USM program, requirements of the funders, and policies, practices, and course
offerings of each partner high school.
Sound project management skills including timely completion of tasks and multi-tasking.
Ability to establish and reestablish work priorities based on the relative importance of
tasks and time constraints.
Ability to work independently and in teams. Personal initiative and self-starter
inclinations are important.
Technology Skills: Have proficiency with PC operating systems including word processing
and database programs and with internet applications including on-line registrations
and webinars.
Other: Have the physical ability (manual dexterity and prolonged sitting) to work at the
computer for variable amounts of time with frequent interruptions and possess an
attitude that fosters a respectful, non-threatening workplace environment.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Required:
 Bachelor’s degree, preferably in education, psychology, social work, or a related field.
 Previous advising, teaching, or direct service experience with adolescents and
demonstrated respect for adolescents.
 Demonstrated sensitivity and experience working with students and /or individuals from
diverse social, economic, ethnic, academic, and cultural backgrounds similar to that of
Upward Bound participants and knowledge and understanding of barriers to be
overcome by Upward Bound at USM students.
 Must be able to provide own transportation to and from partner schools and provide
proof of a valid Driver’s license, ownership of a reliable, fully-insured vehicle and
compliance with Maine law regarding automobile insurance, e.g. medical payments and
uninsured motorists coverage.
License/Certifications:
 Valid motor vehicle driver’s license.
Preferred:
 Master’s degree from an accredited institution in an appropriate discipline; candidates
with a Baccalaureate degree who are pursuing a Master’s degree and who have the
required experience in direct service may also be preferred.
 Personal experience overcoming barriers similar to those faced by Student Support
Services students.
 Three (3) or more years related work experience.
 Experience working in programs with objectives similar to Upward Bound at USM.
 Experience with and demonstrated understanding of college admissions and financial
aid processes for low-income students.
*NOTE: All individuals who are recommended to fill and subsequently offered a position with special essential responsibilities
as listed above, or other licensure or certification, shall have the following additional applicable background screening
completed (in addition to regular and standard background screening) based on the responsibilities of the position: Credit
history screening, and/or Sex offender registry screening, and/or Federal criminal history screening and/or License/certification
verification.
Date Approved: 03/31/2011
Date Revised: 07/17/2013; 03/25/15
Job Family: 14
Salary Band: 03
Unit:
UMPSA
CUPA code: 401130
Employee:
Position #:
00018646