University of Maine

Maine Educational Talent Search

TITLE:  Advisor I                                                           

 Funding for this full time, Regular University position is secure through August 31, 2026.  Re-appointment is contingent on funding from outside the University and successful job performance.  

 ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Recruit, select, enroll and serve Talent Search participants as defined by federal regulations and program policy.

• Provide group and individual presentations to inform potential applicants and their parents about Talent Search services. Collect all necessary documents, such as educational transcripts and income documentation to support student applications.

• Provide group presentations to students, parents and school district personnel as a necessary part of the recruitment process. Communicate eligibility guidelines with such agencies to insure appropriate referrals.

• Provide Project Headquarters with completed applications and supporting documents in a timely manner.

• Recruit primarily low-income and first-generation (LIFG) students, 67% of caseload must be LIFG the priority for enrollment of “other” population is to be either LI or FG, students in “other” category require additional paperwork for selection into the program.

2. Provide educational, career and financial aid counseling to a minimum 200 participants per year.

• Conduct educational assessments for all program participants and communicate the assessment results to students. Assist students in developing an intervention plan to progress from their current educational level to the point of enrolling in a postsecondary institution.

• Perform educational career assessments and document results of assessments for all participants. Provide group and individual activities and instruments (standardized and non-standardized), from Talent Search curriculum and other available resources to insure that program participants' educational and career plans are congruent.

• Inform program participants and parents about federal, state, and school-based aid programs each year. Provide early awareness of such programs throughout student participation in Talent Search.  Assist in completion of financial aid forms as well as answer questions about financial aid.   Advocate on behalf of students and families when necessary.

3. Actively communicate with the secondary and postsecondary educational communities.

• Work directly with guidance counselors, college admission and financial aid officers, and adult education directors to insure that the target population is enrolled in and identified as Talent Search.

4. Advocate for and refer program participants to other institutions and appropriate

     educational and social agencies as necessary.

• Network with social service agency providers and other TRIO projects so as to ensure a continuity of services to participants. Document such referrals and agency contacts.

5. Advocate for and assist students with enrolling in postsecondary education.

• Work with students to familiarize them with the college admission and financial aid processes.

• Offer participants in grades 8-11 college awareness field trip(s) each project year.

• Help students locate and examine degree programs that are compatible with their career goals and objectives.

• Assist seniors with completion of college and financial aid applications.

• Obtain copies of admissions applications, acceptance/rejection letters from colleges, student aid reports, and financial aid award letters for all grade 12 participants.

• Advocate for the student during the admissions process, which includes such duties as reference writing, requesting that deposits be waived, and contacting PSE institutions regarding application files.

• Guide students in comparing college admission and financial aid offers.

• Make arrangements, if needed, for METS seniors to tour, interview, or attend orientation activities at the college of their choice.

6. Document work activities and other administrative actions.

• Comply with project policies and related paperwork on a weekly basis. Document a projected schedule of events using an on-line calendar system.

• Document travel on the on-line calendar system. Complete and submit a University of Maine Travel Expenses within 30 days of travel. Daily travel to target schools is not reimbursable.

7. Document student activities, progress and related communications into the

    Talent Search database

• Document all contacts with students, both individual and group, per established curriculum.

• Record contacts made with parents, mentors, and school personnel for program participants.

• Update student addresses and phone numbers on a regular basis.

• Document seniors progress throughout college admission and financial aid processes.

• Provide docuementation of promotion for grades 6-11and high school transcripts for seniors every June.

8. Perform other reasonably related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL QUALIFICATIONS:

Baccalaureate required in educational counseling, education, or other appropriate and related field.  A successful candidate for this position should have demonstrated employed experience working with low-income and educationally disadvantaged youth in an educational environment.  Required skills include the ability to relate to and work with disadvantaged youth, schools and community agencies, as well as strong organizational, interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work independently of direct supervision Preference given to individuals who have succeeded in overcoming the disadvantages of circumstance like those of the population of the project participants. Ability to travel normally requiring a driver's license.

WORK ENVIRONMENTIDYNAMICS:

The Advisor will work in a range of settings: home, U.M. or host campus, public schools, and on the road for college visitations or professional development experiences.  Some evening or weekend work is required.  Some travel to Orono headquarters and professional conferences/seminars is necessary.  The workload of the Advisor requires that they have the ability to work independently of direct supervision. The Advisor will be required to travel extensively within the project service area.

WORK SCHEDULE:

Regular University of Maine schedule.  It is expected that a time commitment of at least 32 hours per week (to include some nights and weekends) will be necessary in order to meet the needs of the program and the clients served.  The employee will establish regular office hours and in consultation with the METS Director, adjust the work schedule as necessary.

WORK YEAR:

Full-time -Nine (9) months, September 1 through May 30.

Job Family/Salary Band: 14/02.

The finalist for this position must successfully complete a State Bureau of Investigation and driver’s license background check.