College and Career Advisor

An established leader in the Northeast Ohio civic landscape, College Now has been changing the lives of students in our region since 1967. We do this by providing college and career access advising, financial aid counseling, and scholarship and retention services to students from middle school through adulthood with a special focus on supporting those from low-income backgrounds and first-generation college students. An individual filling this position can expect to have a direct impact on Northeast Ohio students and families.

When you work for College Now, you are part of an innovative and visionary team, committed to College Now's mission, vision and values as we are committed to creating a collaborative, inclusive workplace for team members.  Offering superior benefits, ample opportunities for professional growth and development, and the chance to make an impact on the community, College Now is where careers are made and grown.

POSITION TITLE: College and Career Advisor
STATUS: Non-Exempt 
STANDARD HOURS: 8 hours per day for full-time; hours worked in a given day may vary depending on needs of school or partner site
LOCATION: In Lorain, Cuyahoga and/or surrounding counties
REPORTS TO: Manager of Advising Programs and Services
SALARY: Starting at $43,000 and may increase based on relevant experience

Position Summary: 
The College and Career Advisor helps students aspire to, prepare for, enroll in, and find resources to pay for postsecondary education. This is mainly accomplished via classroom workshops, group sessions, individual student meetings, and parent/guardian meetings. 

Essential Functions: 

• Work within each assigned location’s unique environment in order to best serve students while meeting College Now expectations. 

• Provide group and individual services to students and students’ parent(s)/guardian(s).

• Assist students with discerning career and college goals, using web-based tools, by providing information regarding educational options beyond high school, including institutional choice, career options, admissions and financial aid. 

• Advise students about college entrance exams (including ACT, PSAT, SAT) and test preparation resources; assisting students with test registration and providing fee waivers. 

• Assist students with ACT, PSAT, SAT test preparation. 

• Supply students with admission and financial aid applications; providing waivers, where appropriate, for application fees and tuition/housing deposits. 

• Guide students through the college and career application process. 

• Guide students and/or students’ parent(s)/guardian(s) through the financial aid process, including assistance with the FAFSA and CSS Profile, advocating for those with special circumstances, reviewing the SAR, interpreting college financial aid award letters, assisting with verification and helping students with any other necessary paperwork. 

• Promote scholarship opportunities and encouraging students to research and apply for applicable scholarships and awards. 

• Recommend qualified high school seniors for College Now scholarships; collect required documentation and enter appropriate information in a student information database. 

• If applicable, serve as a mentor/team leader to AmeriCorps College Guide(s) assigned to the Advisor’s school(s) by facilitating integration into the school, assisting with delivery of classroom presentations, and working as a team to provide services to students and families. 

• Track all services by accurately entering demographic information, contacts and notes in a student information database. Adhere to strict confidentiality in student record keeping. 

Serve as a student advocate through: 

1. Communication with colleges and universities

2. Communication with parent(s)/guardian(s)

3. Collaboration with school

4. Communication and cooperation with outside scholarship programs. 

• Refer students to other services, e.g. school counselors, staff, college departments and other agencies for assistance in areas outside of College Now’s responsibilities, if deemed necessary. 

• Become aware of and open to opportunities to promote College Now services through community outreach. 

• Attend all advisor trainings and meetings. 

• Perform other duties as assigned. 

Qualifications

• The Advisor must have a bachelor’s degree, experience working with adolescents, and strong communication and interpersonal skills.

• Teaching certificate and/or experience within schools or organizations that support schools are a plus, but not required. 

• Fluency in Spanish is a plus for some location assignments but is not required. 

• Must be able to work autonomously and in a team environment with a collaborative focus.

• Must be comfortable using a laptop computer, able to conduct searches on the internet and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook), and must be able to enter data in a student database. 

• Must be oriented to meeting goals and due dates. 

• Must be willing to work evening and weekend hours.

• Must be able to provide own transportation to multiple locations throughout Northeast Ohio.

• Must be able to carry up to 10 pounds daily, consisting of a laptop computer, printer, and advising materials.

 
DISCLAIMER: “Nothing in this position description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.”