College Access Advisor

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Job description

Start Date: December 6, 2021

History

Higher Heights Youth Empowerment Programs, Inc. (HHYEP), founded in 2004, is a state-wide college access program that provides college-planning services to high school students, grade 9 thru 12, and their families.

Our mission is to change the lives of under-represented college bound students and Empower, Encourage, and Equip them to obtain a post-secondary education.

Our organization's goal is to provide more equitable access of college preparatory resources and services to a broad range of students and their families who have a history of being deprived and who as a consequence are underrepresented in the pool of academically high-achieving students.

Description

Job Title: College Access Advisor

Reports to: Executive Director

I. Job Summary

Summary/Description: The College Access Advisor is assigned to a high school in New Haven, Connecticut to build and sustain a college-going culture and promotes awareness of the link between higher education and professional careers. *Due to COVID-19 the position is a hybrid model (days in the school and working remotely- schedule varies).

The position is from December 6, 2021 through June 30, 2022 with a strongly possibility for a contract renewal based on performance.

There is a focus on supporting high school juniors and seniors. This person provides comprehensive college-readiness supports: informing and facilitating college-readiness programming and financial aid workshops; assisting with researching and applying for scholarships; engaging and coaching parents about the college application process; and cultivating and maintaining relationships with college admissions counselors.

Primary Responsibilities-

The Advisor will:

· Serve as the college advisor for students (grade 11-12).

· Develop workshops, events and virtual college trips that will support, inspire, and inform students about the skills needed to pursue higher education and other opportunities (trips, panels, and college tours/fairs).

· Coordinate admissions visits, financial aid, and FAFSA workshops; assist students and parents with navigating the financial aid/FAFSA process.

· Coordinate with the school counselors to provide differentiated college prep support to participants according to their individual plans, in small groups and in one-on-one settings.

· Develop and lead parent workshop series on post-secondary options and process.

· Track youth progress report program and student data;

· Attend staff and planning meetings as needed.

· Establish and maintain effective working relationships with school counselors, school administrators, post-secondary institutions, and organization staff

· Participate in professional development activities to keep current on changing rules and regulations in financial aid matters and to network with other college access advisors

III. Knowledge and Abilities

· Excited about community-based youth development work.

· Proven ability to serve as a role model in an after-school setting, as needed.

· Ability to connect with youth, provide needed support and demonstrate patience and maintain a positive attitude.

· Demonstrated ability to work individually and as part of a team.

· Ability to work well with diverse types of people; eagerness to help low-income young people improve themselves.

· Excellent communication, organization, and time management skills.

· Ability to multitask and handle potentially stressful situations calmly and appropriately.

· High energy, enthusiastic, strong commitment to public service and social justice.

· Familiarity with college admissions process, including standardized tests, application process and financial aid strongly preferred.

· Desire to work in a growing nonprofit organization, ability to adapt, creativity, and commitment to excellence highly valued.

IV. Education and Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree

• Knowledge of college application process and financial aid

• Experience teaching or facilitating groups

• Computer skills; experience working with Google/Microsoft Office Suite

• Knowledge of CommonApp, FAFSA, CollegeBoard and Naviance

· Access to reliable transportation required.

Logistics

The College Access Advisor will commit to a schedule of 35 hours per week; workday will be Monday through Friday. Work day 7:15am - 3:00pm. Evenings are likely components of the College Access Advisor's schedule for special programs with parents.

FLSA Status: Exempt

Date: 12/2020

Higher Heights Youth Empowerment Programs, Inc. is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment with Higher Heights Youth Empowerment Programs, Inc. is based solely on qualifications and competence for a particular position, without regard to race, color, ethnic or national origin, age, religion, creed, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or marital, military, or citizenship status.

Job Types: Full-time, Contract

Pay: $2,830.00 per month

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

COVID-19 considerations:
All staff are to wear mask and must present proof of complete COVID vaccinations prior to start date.

Education:

• Associate (Required)

Experience:

• college advising/counseling: 1 year (Required)

Work Location: Multiple Locations