Student Assistant (GEAR UP Advisor)

OUR STATEMENT
The San José State University Research Foundation (SJSURF) is committed to building a work environment where everyone can show up as their own self and have an opportunity to contribute, develop, and advance in their career. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) are core values of the organization. We strive to attract, retain, and develop employees who reflect the community and society where we work and live. The Research Foundation aims to develop a culture where everyone feels welcome, shares their views, and where differences in backgrounds and perspectives are seen as adding value.

GENERAL NATURE OF POSITION
GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) is a federally funded program designed to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in college. The San José GEAR UP Community Achievement Project has been providing services to a cohort of students starting in 7th grade (2023) through high school graduation and one year into college (2030). The program is now in its third year, with GEAR UP students currently in 9th grade and attending one of five high schools in the East Side Union High School District (ESUHSD).

GEAR UP Student Assistant/Advisors work under the direct supervision of the GEAR UP Site Coordinators, with general oversight by the GEAR UP Directors. GEAR UP Advisors work directly with students to provide academic advising, help them make meaningful connections between their education and future college, career, and vocational pathways, and connect them to resources that support their personal, social, and emotional development.                                                        

Work location: At one or more high school sites in East San Jose, California.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
• Provide individual and group academic advising to support students’ grade-level promotion and long-term success.
• Guide students in creating, updating, and following a Student Achievement Plan (educational action plan).
• Develop and deliver academic and college readiness curriculum and workshops in coordination with Site Coordinators and school staff.
• Assess student progress and prepare regular reports in collaboration with Site Coordinators.
• Plan and present workshops for students and families on college admissions, financial aid, scholarships, and postsecondary transition and success.
• Facilitate student access to STEM activities and careers through partnerships with schools and external organizations.
• Support parent/guardian liaisons in completing Family Achievement Plans (FAPs).
• Coordinate related activities with postsecondary partners and manage daily program operations.
• Collaborate with school staff and partners to design summer programming for remediation and acceleration.
• Work with teachers, counselors, administrators, and other GEAR UP staff to align school practices with GEAR UP program goals.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation for services, activities, reports, and communications; manage data entry in the Compass system; assist with outreach efforts (e.g., newsletters, social media).
• Attend school, college, and community meetings, as appropriate.
• Communicate effectively with diverse individuals and groups to disseminate information, resolve concerns, and ensure equitable service delivery.
• Handle confidential information with discretion and maintain the integrity of program records.
• Represent the GEAR UP program at campus functions, and regional, statewide, or national meetings and conferences, as needed.
• Promote a culture of excellent internal and external customer service.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Qualifications
● A bachelor's degree (or equivalent) from an accredited college/university
● Strong communication and organizational skills
● Working knowledge of best practices in K-12 and higher education, academic counseling, and student development theories.
● Demonstrated ability to interact successfully with a variety of constituencies, including middle/high school and college personnel and partnership members

Desired Qualifications
● Enrolled in a Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) Credential program.
● Understanding of partner districts, schools, and the target population
● An understanding and analysis of various challenges that impact low-income and first-generation college students, and how to support these students through high school graduation and the transition into postsecondary education.
● Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to the SJSU Strategic Plan and the core values of mutual respect, collaboration and service orientation, multiculturalism and diversity, community service, and institutional excellence.
● Strong leadership, team-building, and group facilitation skills
● Any amount of proven work experience with pre-college access and support programs
● Fluency in spoken and written Spanish and/or Vietnamese

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
● Knowledge of statewide efforts to promote a sustainable college-going culture in schools.
● General knowledge of the principles, practices, and strategies currently used in improving access and retention support to low-income students.
● Ability to gather and analyze data; ability to reason logically, draw valid conclusions, and make appropriate recommendations; ability to participate in and contribute to group meetings, conferences, and interviews; ability to present clear and concise information orally and in written reports.
● Ability to develop student support activities related to assigned areas of responsibility.
● Ability to determine appropriate courses of action and proper techniques to utilize while engaged in sensitive situations.
● Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with school administration and other personnel, parents/guardians, students, and community leaders.
● Ability to work effectively and interdependently in a diverse school environment.
● Ability to interpret and apply federal, state, and school policies and regulations pertaining to college and career readiness.
● Ability to coordinate and oversee large groups of students, especially on field trips, excursions, or after-school program activities.
● Demonstrated information and technical literacy.
● Ability to multitask, prioritize responsibilities, and meet deadlines.
● Ability to work both independently and within a team and collaborate on projects.

Work location:
● On-site position
● This position will be assigned to work at one or more high school sites within the East Side Union High School District (ESUHSD), located in East San Jose.
● This position may also report to San Jose State University at the College of Education, Counselor Education Department (Sweeney Hall), One Washington Square, San Jose, CA 95192-0073.

The person holding this position is considered a “mandated reporter” under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

This position will have a duty to report to the Campus Title IX Officer information pertaining to victims of sex discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, dating/domestic violence, and stalking as required by CSU Executive Order 1095.

This position is required to comply with confidentiality requirements outlined in the Department of Education's Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and California's Educational Code Chapter 13 regarding sensitive student issues.

PLEASE NOTE: This position is considered a “sensitive” position by SJSURF and California State University (CSU) policy. Consequently, the successful candidate must undergo and successfully complete the Live Scan (fingerprinting) background check as a condition of their employment. This background check must be completed before the actual start of employment.

NOTE: This position description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. It is not intended to include all duties and responsibilities. The order in which duties and responsibilities are listed is not significant.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE
If interested in being considered for the position, email a copy of your resume to Dolores.Mena@sjsu.edu

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
The SJSURF is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with physical or mental disabilities in the employment, recruitment, examination, interviewing, and hiring processes. If you are a job seeker with a physical or mental disability, and you require a reasonable accommodation to search, apply, or interview for a job opening or otherwise need a reasonable accommodation during the application and hiring process, please contact us at foundation-jobs@sjsu.edu. In the email message, please indicate your full name, phone number, and the type of assistance required. You must not reveal the underlying medical reason for your needed reasonable accommodation or otherwise disclose confidential medical information.

ABOUT THE SJSU RESEARCH FOUNDATION
SJSURF employment is separate and distinct from San José State University (SJSU) or state of California employment. SJSURF employees are not employees of SJSU or of the state of California.

SJSURF is a non-profit auxiliary of SJSU. SJSURF is totally self-supported. The majority of the organization’s funding comes from the federal government and other public and private entities. With annual revenues totaling over $65 million, programs managed through SJSURF cover a rich diversity of applied research, public services, and educational-related activities.

SJSURF is an equal opportunity employer, and it does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, gender, religion, marital status, registered domestic partner status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sex, genetic information, sexual orientation, military and veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws. It also prohibits unlawful discrimination based on the perception that anyone has any of those characteristics, or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics.