Program Overview
The Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) program is a TRIO Program funded by the US Department of Education. VUB is designed to motivate and assist veterans in the development of academic and other requisite skills necessary for acceptance and success in a program of postsecondary education. The program provides assessment and enhancement of basic skills through counseling, mentoring, tutoring and academic instruction in the core subject areas. The primary goal of the program is to increase the rate at which participants enroll in and complete postsecondary education programs.
The VUB Students Training for Academic Readiness and Success (STARS), provides services to veteran participants in the Tulsa and Muskogee areas.
Position Overview
This full-time position is primarily an off-site field position that will not be permanently officed on the UCO Campus. The field of operation for this position is expected to be in-person in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and its surrounding communities, as well as in and around Muskogee, Oklahoma, and periodically at the VUB Hub located at the University of Central Oklahoma Edmond campus. On assigned working days at the VUB Hub, travel will be reimbursed calculated from Tulsa, Oklahoma or Muskogee, Oklahoma. The ideal candidate would live in one of these areas and/or be familiar with these areas to help with community connections.
The Outreach Specialist will be responsible for all aspects of communication with potential program participants and will attend applicable military and community events to detail program objectives to referral network stakeholders. This position will report directly to the VUB STARS Project Director.
Working hours are primarily Monday – Friday 8am – 5pm, some evenings and weekends are needed in order to reach the adult population that may work during regular business hours.
This position is a grant funded position which can be renewed yearly for up to 5 years but is not guaranteed. This grant cycle ends August 31, 2027.
Department Specific Essential Job Functions
Job duties include traveling to and from community partner locations and recruiting events, driving 12-15 passenger rental vehicles to transport students to and from activities (vendor requirements for van rental has a minimum age limit of 23 years old).
The VUB STARS Outreach Coach performs the following:
- Recruit veteran participants for VUB STARS
- Works with Project Director to assess recruitment and funded-to-serve ratios.
- Counsels’ Participants regarding academic endeavors.
- Acts as a resource person for academic information and decision-making strategies.
- Drive 15 passenger van to transport participants to program events.
- Meets with Participants on a regular basis to track their progress on VUB STARS program participation success.
- Collects, organizes, and enters data to address issues relating to persistence.
- Converts manual records to a computerized based information system.
- Manages personal data in accordance with federal human protections certifications requirements.
- Provide assistance with FAFSA completion and financial aid processing.
- Document unit-level services provided for each participant to chart data for monitoring project objectives and goals.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
- Ensure Standard Operating Procedures are followed in accordance with EDGAR, FERPA, GEPA, and GPRA.
Qualifications/Experience Required
Associate's degree or a minimum 90 college credit hours in counseling, education, or related field required and minimum two years of experience in a higher education setting, or equivalent combination of education and experience. This position requires expertise with under-represented populations or Participants with high risk of academic failure; demonstrated coordination of recruitment strategies; and experience conquering barriers analogous to participants.
Must have a valid driver's license, clean driving record, and be able to operate a typical motor vehicle.
Qualifications/Experience Preferred
Highly preferred U.S. Military Veteran, Military-Connected, or previous work related to serving veterans and TRIO experience as a staff or participant. Being bilingual in English and Spanish is preferred, but not required. Requires the application of expertise in a chosen field to achieve results. A Bachelor's degree in field plus 3+ years of relevant experience in the chosen field or 7+ years of equivalent work experience that provides knowledge of and exposure to fundamental theories, principles, and concepts.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
Demonstrated ability to work well with diverse populations. Ability to work well with peers, supervisor, faculty, staff and students. Excellent oral and written communication, interpersonal, human relations, public relations, and organizational skills. Excellent mechanical, computing, and networking skills. Ability to work independently, handles multiple tasks simultaneously, an interacts professionally with all segments of the University community. Ability to organize and coordinate personnel associated with the project. Ability to maintain confidentiality. Must be detail oriented. Understanding and knowledge of the veteran and military connected community.
Physical Demands
Reasonable accommodations (in accordance with ADA requirements) may be made, upon request, to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
