College Adviser, University of Washington College Advising Corps

Location: Washington

Supervisors: Program Manager, University of Washington; Partnership Director, Far West, CAC

Travel Requirements: Within state

Training: Required 2-3 weeks hybrid (online and in-person) in Washington before placement

Time Period: One year position, renewable for a second year

In August 2021, Washington’s governor, Governor Inslee, announced a directive (Proclamation 21-14.1) requiring all employees working in public and private K–12 schools to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If you are offered this position, you will be asked to submit proof of your vaccination at one of the first stages of hiring.

Position Summary

As the largest college access nonprofit in the country, College Advising Corps (CAC) is devoted to giving every student the opportunities that college offers. CAC focuses on post-secondary enrollment and completion among low-income, first-generation college, and underrepresented high school students by delivering personalized, knowledgeable guidance on college admission, financial aid, and enrollment. We accomplish this by placing well-trained, recent college graduates as full-time college advisers in high schools across the nation. Advisers become part of their school community, collaborate with teachers and administrators, devise creative approaches to reach and connect with students and families, and play an integral role in changing the lives of the students they serve.

College Advising Corps seeks to hire recent college graduates to serve as college advisers in high-need high schools in the counties of Skagit, Yakima, Klickitat, and Grant. As college advisers in the state, through a partnership with the University of Washington, advisers are part of a national movement that will help students in underserved communities realize their dreams of post-secondary education. Day-to-day supervision of the college advisers will be performed by a program manager of the University of Washington and overseen by the CAC Partnership Director, Far West.

  Position Type

• Full-time 11-month position, receives a $31,000 annual living allowance, paid monthly, health insurance provided as members of AmeriCorps.

•  College Advisers are appointed for one academic year of full-time service, with a maximum service term of two years. The full-service term begins on August 1, 2023.

Upon satisfactory completion of a service contract, College Advisers may receive the Segal Education Award in the range of $4,441.50-6,345 per year which must be credited toward undergraduate loans or held for future educational costs.

Roles and Responsibilities 

Washington CAC advisers will be expected to tailor programs and activities to support the achievement of school-based targets to increase post-secondary enrollment and persistence for students. Performance is monitored by advisers’ progress toward achieving KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) and the additional adviser responsibilities below.

•  Provide one-on-one admissions and financial aid advisement to students.
• Help students complete and submit admissions and financial aid applications.
• Visit classrooms, assemblies, and student organization meetings to make presentations and offer college advising services and emphasize the importance of post-secondary education.
• Work to engage families in support of their students’ college-going process.
• Organize events and activities that encourage students and their families to consider, plan for, and apply to college and universities.
• Collaborate with school personnel to promote the college-going culture at the high school.
• Record service activity data using the College Advising Corps’ web-based system, called GRACE.
• Submit reports to the program manager documenting progress and outcomes.
• Represent Washington College Advising Corps, as requested by the program manager, to potential supporters and other interested parties.
• Represent the 2023-24 AmeriCorps program and adhere to all guidelines of AmeriCorps and the Corporation for National and Community Service.

Required Skills and Experience 

College Advising Corps has found that the characteristics of successful advisers include the following: approachability, independence, professionalism, persistence, graciousness, and proactivity. These characteristics, in addition to the following skills and competencies, are needed for success in the adviser role:

• Culture and mission-driven – extremely passionate about CAC and increasing opportunity for all students;
• A can-do attitude and willingness to go the extra mile in service of our mission;
• Enthusiasm for collaborating effectively with others to achieve goals;
• Ability to meet deadlines, plan events, and keep track of data and records;
• Superb communication skills which allow you to speak persuasively and tactfully, write professionally, and create multi-media texts such as flyers, presentations, and websites;
• Problem-solving abilities that aid in surmounting challenges and solving problems creatively, ethically, and diplomatically as they help students navigate the college admissions process.

     Qualified candidates for this position will:

• Have earned a bachelor’s degree by June 2023,
• Have earned a bachelor’s degree within the past two years preferred,
• Have a strong desire to serve and support diverse populations, and
• Meet qualifications to be enrolled as AmeriCorps Members, including consent to a comprehensive background check

  You must submit all required documents (listed below) at the time you complete the application,  

  including a resume, cover letter, and transcripts (unofficial transcripts are acceptable).

    1. Resume

    2. Cover Letter:

a. Explain how your skills and background will prepare you to make the college process accessible for high school students in the state of Washington.

b. If you are not a recent college graduate, explain what you know about the college-going process for high school students.

    3. Unofficial Transcripts – Should demonstrate your status as a college graduate.

This job description is intended to provide general information about the position.  It is not an employment contract and is not intended as a complete list of all job roles and responsibilities.  The incumbent may be required to perform other roles and responsibilities.  As with all positions, the responsibilities, roles, and requirements of this job may change.  The organization, at its discretion, may alter this job description at any time with or without notice.