Position Description

The Department of Education & Early Learning’s (DEEL) mission is to ensure that all Seattle children have the greatest opportunity to succeed in school and in life, ultimately helping scholars graduate from school, ready for college, and a career. As part of this mission, DEEL is hosting the Upward Bound program. Upward Bound provides fundamental support to participants in their preparation for college entrance and graduation. The program provides opportunities for participants to succeed in their precollege performance and ultimately in their higher education pursuits. Upward Bound serves high school students from low-income families in which neither parent holds a bachelors degree. The goal of Upward Bound is to increase the rate at which participants complete secondary education and enroll in and graduate from institutions of postsecondary education.

To ensure the success of the students in this program, we are looking for a temporary Counselor who will work with school principals, staff, and local community partners to recruit and maintain a caseload of 50-60 students. Students in this program face various barriers to success, which may include homelessness, teen pregnancy/parenting, violence and youth offenders, foster youth, youth with disabilities, and those with limited English skills. In this role, you will build lasting and trusting relationships with students by meeting 1:1, maintaining a personal and education plan that results in on-time graduation, successful postsecondary application, enrollment, and completion.

The Department of Education & Early Learning strives to embed the City’s Race and Social Justice Initiative into its education objectives and seeks staff that value the importance of working together as a government and community to eliminate racial disparities and achieve racial equity. Our core values of equity, results, stewardship, transparency, and collaboration guide our work, support our operations, and hold us accountable.

Job Responsibilities

Heres what you’ll be doing to support the Upward Bound program:

Directly supporting individual students with their academic success:

• Maintaining a caseload of 50-60 students within minimum monthly contacts that lead to the students’ on-time graduation, successful postsecondary application, enrollment, and completion
• Reviewing students’ academic history, transcripts, and current class schedule to provide sound academic guidance and individual advising to plan and prepare for successful completion of college
• Meeting at least monthly individually with students to maintain a personal and education plan, review and track academic progress, set goals, identify challenges, and provide guidance, support, and community resources

Guiding students through other aspects of their college transition:

• Fostering a college-going environment by hosting workshops, inviting college recruiters, etcetera
• Supporting students to increase the college-going rate, FAFSA completion, and application prep
• Providing monthly workshops to support students’ college research and selection, college application preparation and acceptance, course selection, scholarships, financial aid, transition to college, connection to community resources and services, and related skills building that prepare students for success in college, career, and life
• Planning and leading college visits/tours that provide students a sense of college life and campus resources available to support their successful transition to and completion of college

Providing resources to groups of students in the program:

• Maintaining case notes online that document progress on each student’s individual plan in Career Cruising or have student print out from Naviance and providing program reports to the Program Supervisor as needed
• Building relationships and coordinating and collaborating with onsite school staff (such as principals, counselors, teachers, security, and others), to increase awareness and knowledge of the Upward Bound program and referrals of eligible students by participating in staff meetings, parent or student orientations, and other appropriate school events
• Identifying and organizing career exploration opportunities that fit student interests or broaden their knowledge of the opportunities within fields of interest

Participating in Upward Bound program planning by:

• Supporting continuous improvement and updating college-readiness curriculum in addition to other related curricula, program services, and supports
• Coordinating access to resources across community partners
• Streamlining workflow processes
• Coordinating resources that support student success across K-12/Postsecondary team
• Attending regular meetings, including with the Upward Bound Team, K-12/Postsecondary Division, and DEEL all-staff meetings

You will be most successful in this role with a combination of the following:

Experience:

• As a successful program participant in Upward Bound or a similar program so that you can support students in developing the skills and knowledge for success in achieving personal, postsecondary, and career goals
• Working with students from diverse ethnic, social, and economic backgrounds (either paid or as a volunteer)
• Helping students develop habits, skills, and attitudes that help foster resilience and persistence
• Working with public schools, secondary, and postsecondary education programs
• Assisting students with writing and editing for college and internship applications

Knowledge of:

• Communities served by the high school where services are delivered and recent effective involvement with students in that school and communities
• College application, admissions, scholarships, financial aid, and web-based systems that support students in tracking and managing students’ career and postsecondary education planning

Skills and Interests:

• Ability to track student progress and notes and follow up as needed on longer-term goals and benchmarks
• Ability to work with minimal supervision
• Strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills
• Commitment to serving diverse families in the community
• Second language fluency in Spanish, Somali, Vietnamese, or other language
• The ability to communicate both orally and in writing in English and in a second language

Qualifications

In addition to the qualities mentioned above, you will need to possess the below required qualifications (or a combination of education, training or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class):

• A Bachelor’s degree in Social Services, Psychology, or a related field
• Three years of experience in social services involving interviewing, counseling, crisis intervention, recruitment, academic advising, college preparation and admissions, or a related field

OR

• An Associate degree in Social Services, Psychology, or a related field
• Four years of experience in social services involving interviewing, counseling, crisis intervention, recruitment, academic advising, college preparation and admissions, or a related field

OR

• Five years of experience in social services involving interviewing, counseling, crisis intervention, recruitment, academic advising, college preparation and admissions, or a related field

Additional Information

This temporary non-benefits eligible position is eligible for overtime and is classified as Counselor* and is expected to last through May 13, 2025. The full pay range for this step-progression position is $37.07 - $43.10 per hour. New employees begin at Step 1 of the pay progression, which is $37.07 hourly. Employees will be given premium pay in lieu of benefits. The pay rates listed are reflective of the 2024 salary schedule. There is a 4% AWI (Annual Wage Increase) for 2025.

Your work will take place in-person at Garfield High School (Monday and Tuesday, 1:30pm to 6:30pm) and Rainier Beach High School (Wednesday and Thursday, 12:30pm to 5:30pm). In addition, this position will require the ability to make on-site campus tours with students and attend trainings and meetings, both in and out of state, in various locations.

Interviews for this temporary position are tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, January 21 and/or Wednesday, January 22, 2025.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact Lindsey King at Lindsey.King@seattle.gov to request accommodation.

Individuals selected to fill these temporary positions may be eligible to receive Language Premium Pay (SMC 4.20.360), which provides a $200.00 monthly stipend to qualified bilingual employees who are properly evaluated and assigned to provide direct communication in-language, interpretation, or translation services to the public on behalf of the City of Seattle.

Applicants must successfully pass a background check, which will be conducted in accordance with Seattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17. Applicants will be given a chance to explain or correct background information and provide verifiable information of good conduct and rehabilitation.

DEEL supports the City of Seattle’s Race and Social Justice Initiative to end institutionalized racism by eliminating barriers to access, providing the staff and public with opportunities for growth, and developing equitable access to the programs and services we offer. If you share those values and meet the qualifications, we invite you to apply for this position. Please visit http://www.seattle.gov/education to learn more about the Department of Education & Early Learning.

The City of Seattle recognizes every City employee must play a role in ending institutional and structural racism. Our culture is the result of our behavior, our personal commitments, and the ways we courageously share our perspectives and encourage others to do the same. To cultivate an antiracist culture, we seek employees who will engage in the Race and Social Justice Initiative by working to dismantle racist policies and procedures, unlearn the way things have always been done, and provide equitable processes and services.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Please submit your application at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/seattle/no later than 4:00pm Pacific Time on Tuesday, January 14, 2025. To be considered for this position, in addition to completing your application fully, please attach:

• A PDF of your current resume which illustrates your related skills, experience, and abilities
• Cover Letter explaining your interest in this opportunity with the Department of Education & Early Learning and capability to perform in this role

These temporary positions are open to all applicants that meet the minimum qualifications. The Department of Education & Early Learning values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, medical condition, or pregnancy. The Department of Education & Early Learning encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences. If you have questions, please contact Lindsey King at Lindsey.King@seattle.gov.