Job Location: Main Campus - Edmond, OK

Position Type: Staff

Salary Range: $38,000.00 - $40,000.00 Salary/year

Job Category: OTRS Classified

Program Overview

The Talent Search program identifies and assists individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds who have the potential to succeed in higher education. The program provides academic, career, and financial counseling to its participants and encourages them to graduate from high school and continue on to and complete their postsecondary education. The program publicizes the availability of financial aid and assist participant with the postsecondary application process. Talent Search also encourages persons who have not completed education programs at the secondary or postsecondary level to enter or reenter and complete postsecondary education. The goal of Talent Search is to increase the number of youths from disadvantaged backgrounds who complete high school and enroll in and complete their postsecondary education.

The UCO Talent Search Central Connect (TSCC) program works with students from grades 6 – 12 from John Marshall Middle School, Kenneth Cooper Middle School, James L. Capps Middle School, John Marshall High School, Putnam City High School, and Putnam City West High School.

Position Overview:

Assist coordinate program and/or service activities to ensure relevant guidelines, specifications, policy and/or procedures are followed for academic related programs, groups, and/or services. Assess to make sure the educational needs and goals are being met. Facilitates communication between administrators, faculty, staff, parents, and students concerning program and/or services. Maintains relevant databases to ensure accurate and accessible records. Prepare reports summarizing statistical data or describing program objectives and accomplishments. 8am-5pm Mon-Fri, Occasional nights and weekends required.

Department Specific Essential Job Functions:

Track participant participation and thoroughly document participant status changes and update the student data management tool. Assists create curriculum for participant programing. Provide services to participants, which will include information dissemination of post-secondary programs, and assisting with the completion of applications for admissions, financial aid, and enrollment. Participate in staff development and training opportunities. Develop relationships with community stakeholders by attending applicable events both during and outside business regular business hours. Work inside target middle schools and high schools to recruit students and to provide services. Assist with workshop planning, creation, facilitation, and implementation to provide grant funded services. Plan activities and events to meet program funded objectives. Transport students to and from program events and activities.

Reliable transportation is needed for travel to target schools in the Oklahoma City metro area.
Must be comfortable working with students from grades 6 – 12 in small and large groups.

Must be able to drive 12 or 15 passenger vehicles rented by the program to transport students to and from activities. (Vendor requirements for van rental has a minimum age limit of 23 years old).

Experience Required:

Bachelor's degree (or equivalent experience) in related field to the program and experience that provides knowledge of and exposure to fundamental theories, principles, and concepts.

Experience Preferred:

Bilingual preferred; at a minimum, the ability to understand and to make oneself understood to all Spanish speaking individuals. Knowledge in higher education attainment process. Minimum of three (3) years of experience with federal TRIO programs, academic support programs, or similar programs for disadvantage youths.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

Ability to serve as a mentor to program participants. Demonstrated ability to work effectively with target population, officials in high schools, post-secondary education institutions, community agencies, community organizations and community centers. The ability to cooperate and communicate with colleagues, participants, parents, and community members involved with the program. Knowledge of current educational resources and information in testing, career planning, college admissions, and financial aid resources. Experience in planning, coordinating and implementing counseling sessions, workshops, seminars, campus visits, and group activities. Ability to work independently and comply with program guidelines. Ability to coordinate various components of program goals. Demonstration of excellent written, oral, and interpersonal skills. Commitment to the target population and the principles of equal educational opportunity.

Physical Demands:

Reasonable accommodations (in accordance with ADA requirements) may be made, upon request, to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.