Labor and Community Job Opportunities, Opportunities

Urban Upbound Seeks Program Manager, College Access & Youth Development

Founded in 2004, the mission of Urban Upbound is to provide residents of public housing neighborhoods the tools and resources needed to achieve economic mobility and self-sufficiency, and to break cycles of poverty.

Urban Upbound advances its mission through four integrated programs: employment services, financial counseling, youth development/college access, and community revitalization, all anchored by the Urban Upbound Federal Credit Union.

The College Access and Youth Development Program at Urban Upbound connects youth in public housing communities to SAT and college prep, summer internships, 1- on-1 mentoring, and other activities year-round that lead to positive youth development and readiness to enter and succeed in college.

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer and working in collaboration with the UU leadership team of Directors, the Program Manager of Youth Development and College Access will be responsible for overseeing day-to-day programmatic operations of Urban Upbound’s youth college and career programming.

Responsibilities include:

  • Researching best practices in College Access and Success to further develop existing curriculum and resources;
  • Ensuring the program is on track to achieving annual goals;
  • Building department database and tracking outcomes;
  • Managing College Access Coordinator and volunteers to ensure they have knowledge and resources needed to support students;
  • Establishing and strengthening relationships with partners in college access and success, including students, parents, schools, colleges, and other local CBOs;
  • Collecting, analyzing, and using data to manage the program and demonstrate results;
  • Supporting the Development Team in cultivating donor support;
  • Managing caseload of students;
  • Planning and facilitating additional college and career access workshops for students and their parents (e.g. resume-building, interviewing, financial aid, etc.);
  • Recruiting and supervising volunteers for SAT Prep, Financial Aid Lab, and summer internship preparation workshops;
  • Planning and leading college tours;
  • Providing one-on-one academic counseling to students and their parents to ensure students are ready for the college admissions and financial aid process;
  • Acting as liaise between school and home on progress of the student; recommend interventions needed to keep student or get student on the college ready track;
  • Helping students and parents navigate the high school testing and college entrance process;
  • Connecting students with other services, opportunities, and supports offered by partners and other UU programs; and
  • Other tasks as assigned by CEO and UU leadership.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree;
  • 1-2 years of experience working with at-risk young people in a youth development or school setting required;
  • Experience counseling students on college access, career readiness, and the world of work preferred;
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, with ability to form strong relationships with students, parents, volunteers, community partners, and staff;
  • Effective time-management and strong presentation and written communication skills;
  • Proficient writing, research, and computer skills;
  • Eager to learn, organized, and works well with a team and independently;
  • Bilingual in Spanish & English preferred.

Salary is based on experience.

How to apply

Urban Upbound is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes candidates of all backgrounds. To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to Bethany Goldszer at bethany@urbanupbound.org.