TRIO Upward Bound Academic Specialist

TRIO Upward Bound Academic Specialist

Salary

Depends on Qualifications

Location

Main Campus - Portales, NM

Job Type

Full time permanent

Job Number

2026-00147

Department

Student Affairs

Division

Upward Bound

Opening Date

08/31/2026

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Position Overview

Position Summary:

The Academic Specialist provides professional academic advising, student development, and program coordination services to support academic success, college readiness, and personal development of Upward Bound participants. This position exercises independent judgment in evaluating student academic needs, developing individualized success plans, coordinating academic support services, monitoring student progress, and implementing educational and enrichment activities. The Academic Specialist collaborates in coordinating participant recruitment and selection, tutoring services, workshops, family engagement, college access activities, and program data collection and reporting. The position works collaboratively with students, families, school personnel, program staff, and community partners and serves as a resource regarding academic preparation, college access, career exploration, and student success.

Requirements

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide academic advising, financial literacy education, career exploration guidance, and college readiness support
• Review and evaluate student academic records, including grades, transcripts, standardized test scores, and course enrollment, to develop individualized success plans aligned with participants' academic, career, and personal goals.
• Assess participants' academic needs and monitor progress toward program objectives
• Coordinate academic tutoring services, including scheduling, tutor assignments, program expectations, and monitoring the effectiveness of tutoring support
• Train, assign, supervise, and evaluate academic tutors and provide ongoing guidance regarding tutoring expectations and program requirements
• Organize and facilitate study sessions, workshops, and academic enrichment activities
• Develop, organize, and facilitate group learning experiences focused on financial literacy, personal development, leadership, college access, career exploration, and other student success areas
• Coordinate with the department in the identification and recruitment of eligible Upward Bound participants
• Develop and implement parent and family engagement activities.
• Maintain regular communication with students, parents, guardians, and school personnel
• Collaborate with the Director and Coordinator in the planning and execution of college tours, educational enrichment activities, and special events
• Regular and predictable attendance required
• Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Job Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in education, counseling, social work, advising, or a related field.
• Two (2) years of experience working with youth, families, or educational support programs
• Experience providing academic advising, educational support, or student development services to individuals with diverse educational needs
• Valid New Mexico Driver's License or ability to obtain one within thirty (30) days of employment
• Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle in varying weather and road conditions

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with TRIO programs or prior participation in a TRIO or similar college access program
• Experience with website maintenance, social media platforms, and electronic communications
• Knowledge of financial aid processes, college admissions procedures, student recruitment practices, community outreach, and assessment tools
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills
• Ability to analyze problems, evaluate available options, and implement appropriate solutions
• Knowledge of TRIO programs and services
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and related software
• Basic website management and content development skills
• Strong organizational, planning, and time-management abilities
• Ability to exercise independent judgment in assessing student needs, developing individualized support strategies, and resolving student and program-related issues
• Ability to analyze student academic data and develop appropriate interventions
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment
• Flexibility to travel and work occasional evenings and weekends

Working Conditions

Physical Demand and Working Conditions:

• Work is primarily performed in an office and educational setting
• Position requires exerting up to 10 pounds of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Occasionally requires up to 25 pounds of force to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects at events or other limited occasions.
• Frequent use of computers and standard office equipment is required
• Regular travel to schools, educational events, conferences, and program activities is required
• Occasional evening and weekend work is necessary to support program operations and student activities

Essential Functions: [As defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, these include the aforementioned duties and responsibilities, minimum job requirements, knowledge, skills, and abilities, physical demands, and working conditions. This is not necessarily an all-inclusive listing.]

Additional Information

Application Review Date:

Condition of Employment: Must pass a pre-employment background check.

Electronic Application Instructions: Electronic applications should be submitted through the "Apply" link at the top of this page. Please attach the following required documents to your electronic application:

Required Documents:

Please ensure that you attach all required documents, even if you have applied for other positions at ENMU, as the committee does not have access to those records.

Letter of interest

Resume

Contact information for three references (blind or off-list reference checks may be conducted on finalists)

Transcripts (unofficial for application purposes)

Equal Employment Opportunity /Title IX/IPRA. Eastern New Mexico University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local laws. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, or to perform essential job functions, please contact the Office of Human Resources at (575) 562-2115. New Mexico is an open records state; therefore, ENMU complies with the Inspection of Public Records Act, NMSA 1978, Chapter 14, Article 2, from the Office of the New Mexico Attorney General. Any concerns regarding sex discrimination should be addressed to the Title IX Coordinator at either titleix.coordinator@enmu.eu, (575) 562-2235, or Curry Hall Office 127, 1500 S Avenue K, Portales, NM 88130. Requests for inspection of public records should be sent to planning.analysis@enmu.edu . For any other inquiries, please contact Human Resources at (575) 562-2115 or e-mail ENMU.HRrecruiter@enmu.edu .

Insurance

Insurance for Eastern New Mexico University is offered through the New Mexico Public Schools Insurance Authority. High coverage and low coverage options are offered for medical and dental insurance so employees can choose the plan that's right for them.

• Health insurance is offered through both Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico and the Presbyterian Health Plan
• Dental insurance is offered through United Concordia, Delta Dental , and Blue Cross Blue Shield Dental
• Vision insurance is offered through Davis Vision.
• Life insurance is offered through Standard Life Insurance Company and UNUM Life Insurance Company.

Retirement

Eastern New Mexico University participates with the New Mexico Educational Retirement Board (NMERB), Social Security, and Medicare.

The University also offers supplemental retirement plans. 403b and 457b plans are available through TIAA/CREF, AIG VALIC, Roth 403b and 457b plans are also available through TIAA/CREF.

Paid Time OffFull time exempt employees accrue 14.66 hours of annual leave and 14 hours of medical leave per month.

Employee Educational Assistance Plan

Eastern New Mexico University offers a tuition waiver for regular employees and retirees. This program waives the tuition for three courses (up to nine credit hours) per semester. Employees spouses or children may be eligible to use the tuition waiver during any semester that it is not being used by the employee.

01

Ethical Conduct Section - Complaint with NM HB-128 Please type your name

02

Ethical Conduct Question (Compliant with NM HB-128) Have you ever been under investigation for, or found to have violated, any ethical rule or policy approved by a former employer?

• Yes
• No

03

Ethical Conduct Question (Compliant with NM HB-128) Have you ever had a professional license or certificate denied, suspended, surrendered or revoked due to a finding of child abuse or ethical misconduct or while allegations of child abuse or ethical misconduct were pending or under investigation?

• Yes
• No

04

Ethical Conduct Question (Compliant with NM HB-128) Have you ever been under investigation for, or have been found to have violated, any state or federal statute relating to child abuse or neglect, sexual misconduct, or any sexual offense?

• Yes
• No

05

Ethical Conduct Question (Compliant with NM HB-128) Please provide a list of current and former employers that were schools or that employed you in a position involving unsupervised contact with children or students. The list shall include the name, address, telephone number and other relevant contact information for each of the entities listed.

06

Ethical Conduct Question (Compliant with NM HB-128) By checking yes in this box, you authorize disclosure of information relevant to the ethical conduct questions and you authorize the release of related records by your previous employers, releasing them from any liability related to the disclosure or release of records.

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer Eastern New Mexico University

Address 1500 S. Ave. K, Station 21

Portales, New Mexico, 88130

Phone 575-562-2115

Website http://www.enmu.edu