The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) is the state agency that advances public education and libraries in Wisconsin. Our mission is to advance equitable, transformative, and sustainable educational experiences that develop learners, schools, libraries, and communities in Wisconsin. Working at DPI offers you the opportunity to build on our long-standing commitment to public education so that students are learning the skills and knowledge necessary to become contributing members of our communities.

At DPI, we are committed to creating an environment where everyone feels safe, supported, and valued. Equity and inclusion are at the core of our organizational values, which include belonging, integrity, love, humility, and honor. These values guide how we build our teams, develop our leaders, and create a culture that empowers everyone to be their authentic selves. When employees are respected and valued for who they are and staff are held accountable for demonstrating that respect to others, we believe it drives greater engagement and collaboration, ignites creativity and innovation, and fosters connection between teams and those we serve. 

Our employees enjoy an exceptional employee assistance program that offers a variety of programs and tools to help promote wellness. We have a team-oriented atmosphere, focus on work-life balance, and offer flexible work schedules for most positions. Click this video to learn more about the benefits of working at DPI.

The Bureau of Wisconsin Educational Opportunities Program within the Division of Access and Opportunity is seeking applicants for four (4) LTE Upward Bound Mentors to assist with a six-week, Upward Bound Summer Academy at UW Stevens Point Main Campus.

Under the general supervision of the Upward Bound Project Director, Regional Supervisor, and Educational Specialists, this position provides direct services to WEOP Upward Bound program participants, engaged in an annual, six-week, Upward Bound Summer Academy at UW Stevens Point Main Campus in Stevens Point, WI.

UB Mentors assist first-generation college bound youth and/or low-to-medium income youth in pursuit of higher education and career preparation through targeted services. Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to the provision of some or all of the following: academic support, financial aid and/or college/career advisement for students; presentations; chaperoning field trips to college campuses, worksites, and/or cultural enrichment centers; collaborating with WEOP staff and UB Summer Academy instructors to support learning and increase college and career access opportunities for students; and supporting day-to-day summer UB operations. UB Mentors oversee and serve as role models for individual students and small groups of 10-15 high school students, and have shared responsibility for the supervision of all students enrolled in the annual UB Summer Academy.

This position is in the Educational Assistant-Entry classification. Starting salary will be $18.98 per hour. For current and eligible former State employees, compensation will be set in accordance with the State Compensation Plan effective at time of hire. This position is in pay schedule 06, range 10.

This position is eligible for a $0.80 per hour night differential for hours worked between 6:00pm and 6:00am.

This is a Limited Term Employment (LTE) position and will not automatically lead to permanent state employment or be entitled to the same benefits as permanent employees. The State of Wisconsin is a qualifying employer for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

LTE: Limited-term positions are not permanent civil service positions, and as such, these positions do not offer the full range of benefits of civil service employment. These opportunities can, however, provide insight to the variety of positions and opportunities for employment available with the DPI. LTE positions are limited to 1,039 hours per year and require Wisconsin residency.

Program expectations: Orientation is expected to be held on June 3 - June 4, 2026, on the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) campus in Stevens Point, WI. 

Summer Upward Bound Academy will be in session from June 8, 2026 - July 9, 2026, on the UWSP campus.

During the 5-week Summer Upward Bound Academy, Mentors will typically work an 8-hour day that will fit between the hours of 6:30 AM - 4:00 PM. Mentors will have staggered start and end times, with schedules subject to change based on student need.

Summer Upward Bound OVERNIGHT Capstone Field Trip will occur July 14, 2026 - July 16, 2026, in the Chicago, IL, or Milwaukee, WI, area. Overnight accommodations are provided at DPI’s expense.

During the three-day Summer Upward Bound OVERNIGHT Capstone Field Trip, working hours for mentors will fall between the hours of 7:00 AM - 10:30 PM with schedules subject to change based on student need.

Meals and transportation (by bus or state car) are provided between the WEOP Wausau headquarters site and Summer Academy and Capstone Field Trip sites. A valid driver’s license is required to drive a state car.

Headquarters: The position is headquartered at 2600 Stewart Avenue in Wausau, WI, and employees are required to report to the main office (201 W. Washington Ave. in Madison, WI) on their first day of employment. In addition, the employee may need to report to their headquarter location as operational needs require. Reimbursement for traveling between home and the employee’s headquarters is not provided (e.g., mileage, meals, parking, lodging, etc.).

Pre-hire requirements: A criminal background check will be conducted prior to an offer of hire. A TB screen will be required prior to start.

Legal authorization: Applicants must be legally entitled to work in the United States (i.e., a citizen or national of the U.S., without DPI sponsorship). The Department of Public Instruction does not sponsor visas, either at time of hire or at any later time.

Please address the following in your resume.

A minimally qualified applicant must have experience with all the below:

• Currently enrolled in college/postsecondary education and/or completed at least one year of college/postsecondary education
• Experience working with youth aged 14-18
• Must be at least 18 years old

Please note that a college degree is not required for this position.

Well-qualified applicants will also have experience:

• Experience with a TRiO program, such as Upward Bound.

For this position, please submit an updated resume and answer the required application questions. View our Application Tips page on the DPI website for additional guidance.

Application materials will be evaluated, and the most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the process. References will be requested from top candidates once interviews have taken place. 

The State of Wisconsin offers a special program for qualified veterans with a 30% or greater service-connected disability.  If you are a qualified veteran, please visit the Veterans Employment page for application instructions to be considered for the Veterans Non-Competitive Appointment program.  Once you have applied, please send an email indicating your interest in being considered for the Veterans Non-Competitive Appointment program to the HR staff listed in the​​ job posting.

The State of Wisconsin is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to applicants of any race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.

We provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities.

Questions? Please contact the recruiter at:
Maria Butters
DPI Human Resources Specialist-Senior
Email: Maria.Butters@dpi.wi.gov

The deadline for this announcement is 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, April 28, 2026.