TBR | The College System of Tennessee

The Upward Bound Counselor is responsible to the Director of TRIO Programs.  The primary purpose is to recruit, counsel, and advise high school students who are first generation college and/or low-income students about college prospects. 

Upward Bound is an academic pre-college program designed to prepare and motivate high school students to attend and complete the college or university of their choice. DSCC’s Upward Bound program currently serves Halls High School, Lake County High School, Obion County Central High School, and Peabody High School.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Participate, along with other Upward Bound staff, in the recruitment of participants that are first generation and/or low income.
• Develop and complete the Individual Prescription Plan for each participant and update as needed.
• Conduct weekly sessions at the schools to meet with the participants.
• Monitor and record each participant’s academic progress including grades and ACT scores.
• Monitor participant’s behavior and attendance at school.
• Provide participants assistance on college enrollment, financial aid, scholarships, college testing and FAFSA.
• Provide adolescent counseling as necessary.
• Manage and provide tutoring for students.
• Counsel on career assessment.
• Chaperone youth on cultural trips.
• Manage participant files to document academic, social counseling, college preparation, tutoring, college enrollment, follow-up, and tracking.
• Other duties as needed per grant regulations to assist the students in the program.

Required Qualifications:

• Demonstrates knowledge in working with a variety of disadvantaged populations, especially high school students, and their respective teachers and staff for one to three years.
• Ability to communicate and work well with teenagers and high school staff members
• Interpersonal skills to identify, recruit, and provide services to Upward Bound participants.
• Understanding and knowledge of academic curriculum that will lead students to postsecondary school enrollment.
• Knowledge of postsecondary enrollment requirements, scholarship requirements, financial aid, and FAFSA.
• Ability to provide counseling or able to make necessary referrals when needed.
• Written skills to maintain accurate records.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment.

Working Conditions:

Travel is required.  The counselor must be able to work nights and weekends while traveling with the group.  Working conditions will include office work, weekly travel to schools, and group trips to a variety of settings such as museums, theaters, college campuses, recreational venues, etc. Must be willing to travel on the week-long summer trip that requires supervision of students at all times. During the summer, the counselor has to be able to keep up with a high paced program that requires working in the heat, going to different events, and extensive walking.

Minimum Requirements of Education and Experience:

• A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in counseling, education, or related field from a regionally accredited institution. Master’s degree preferred.
• Three years’ experience working with a diverse population that includes minorities, disadvantaged backgrounds, low-income, and academically at-risk students.

Minimum starting pay is $36,900 annually ($18.93 per hour). With additional experience pay increases to a maximum of $46,100.

Dyersburg State offers a comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to the following:

• Vacation and Sick Leave
• 14 paid holidays
• Medical, dental, vision and life insurance
• Retirement plans
• Optional 401K and 403B Deferred Compensation Plans
• Educational benefits for the employee and their spouse and dependents
• State Employee Discount Program with over 900 merchants

Special Instructions to Applicants:

To be considered for this position applicant must submit an application, a resume, cover letter, and transcripts if applicable.   Unofficial transcripts are acceptable for the application process; but official transcripts are required upon hire. You also must provide the contact information for a minimum of three (3) professional references.

Your skills, abilities, qualifications, and years of experience will be evaluated using only what is recorded on your application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

A completed satisfactory background check will be required before hire. 

Dyersburg State Community College is a TBR and AA/EEO employer and does not discriminate against students, employees, or applicants for admission or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, age, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or any other legally protected class with respect to all employment, programs and activities.