College Persistence Advisor

Title: College Persistence Advisor

Department: SEO College Scholars

Report to: Assistant Director, College Persistence & Advising

Compensation: $64,350 - $73,000

FLSA: Exempt

Location: Hybrid – 3 days/week in office

All candidates must be within commutable distance of SEO’s offices at 55 Exchange Place, New York, NY 10005, upon hire.  

ABOUT SEO

Founded in 1963 during the Civil Rights Movement, SEO closes educational and career opportunity gaps for 7,000 ambitious young people annually.  

SEO Scholars is a free, eight-year, academic program that transforms public high school students in New York City, San Francisco, North Carolina, and Miami into college graduates. SEO Scholars successfully educates and mentors students to and through college. 100% of Scholars are accepted into four-year colleges, 85% of Scholars graduate with a Bachelor’s degree, and 80% are first-generation college graduates. All are welcome to apply.

POSITION OVERVIEW

College Persistence Advisors (CPAs) adhere to the College Scholars advising model in working directly in support of College Scholars’ success in college. CPAs support Scholars in three general buckets of support: personal, academic, and career. CPAs are responsible for building relationships and catering their support to each Scholar specifically as needed and desired. CPAs also lead or support the Scholars Program, College in running workshops and programming for Scholars. Topics vary from career development, academic strategies, to infinity focused support groups. In addition to the direct student work, CPAs are expected to manage a variety of administrative tasks, including but not limited to: documentation of advising sessions and outreach, tracking Scholar document submissions, looking at data to analyze engagement trends, and noticing trends across school clusters.

Direct Student Management (80%)

• Manage and engage one-on-one a cohort of ~70 Scholars remotely and in person, ensuring that each Scholar has equitable support.
• Advise Scholars in college preparedness, academic support, personal support, and career development support throughout their time in college.
• Provide case management services for Scholars who need support with basic needs.
• Apply the College Scholars Advising model in the direct work with students, implementing intentional use of skills and tools that uphold our pillars or advising.
• Reinforce and discuss linkages and relationships between Scholars’ instructional program and their desired occupation/career.
• Assess for Scholars’ well-being and safety as needed.
• Foster rapport with students through consistent and non-judgmental communication in advising sessions, as well as through proactive identification of supports that address the unique needs of first-generation and low-income students.
• Maintain student confidentiality.

Indirect Student Management (10%)

• Advocate for students with universities and other stakeholders.
• Maintain, collect, and report student data on an ongoing basis, such as degree audits, resumes transcripts and financial aid completion for purposes of reporting, institutional research, and institutional effectiveness.
• Assess engagement of the assigned cohort to ensure that outreach efforts and re-engagement strategies are implemented when needed.
• Document student case notes promptly and accurately into Salesforce database.
• Utilize Salesforce systems, as necessary, to aid in the delivery and reporting of advising services.
• Foster rapport with students through consistent and non-judgmental communication of outreach efforts, as well as through proactive identification of supports that address the unique needs of first-generation and low-income students.

Scholar Programming (10%)

• Actively participate in the College Scholar’s CPA Professional Development Plan.
• Engage in internal professional development opportunities around student support through on-going and regular feedback and coaching for continued growth.
• Contribute to a safe educational and working environment by participating in all training and being prepared to act.
• Facilitate and co-facilitate programming workshops designed to increase student success in college and the high school to college transition.
• Participate in or attend occasional evening and weekend work are required, dependent on program needs.
• Support program initiatives that contribute to College Scholar success, usually in the second year.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree required, preferably in Social Work, Counseling, School Counseling, School Psychology, or related field from an accredited university.
• 2-3 years graduate school field placement or work experience in education or related field.
• Prior experience working with high school and college students a must.
• Understanding of the unique needs of first-generation and low-income students.
  
  

COMPETENCIES & SKILLS

• Demonstrates unequivocal passion for closing the opportunity gap and driving and inspiring student achievement.
• Highly detail-oriented and organized approach to tasks while able to meet competing deadlines.
• Exceptional communication skills: verbal, written, interpersonal (phone and in-person).
• Self-starter who can work independently and collaboratively in a group, is team-oriented, has a growth mindset and is willing to do what it takes to get the work done (whether it is their specifically assigned task or not).
• Ability to delegate tasks.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Google Drive.
• Data-driven experience using Database/CMS program preferred (e.g. Salesforce).
• Spanish speaking strongly preferred.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS 

SEO offers a competitive compensation package and comprehensive benefits plan including low-cost health, vision, and dental options, a generous holiday schedule and PTO policies, disability coverage, fully paid time off for new parents, and employer contributions to health reimbursement and retirement accounts. We are constantly working to improve our benefits each year based on the needs of our employees. We value wellness and strive to put people first and foremost.

The compensation listed in this posting reflects what SEO believes it will pay for this position at the time of this posting. Consistent with applicable law, compensation will be determined based on the skills, qualifications, and experience of the applicant along with the requirements of the position, and SEO reserves the right to modify this pay range at any time.

EEOC Policy

At SEO we are committed to cultivating a team that embodies the backgrounds and experiences of the constituencies we serve and the communities we live in, and a workplace that reflects the impact we make in the world. Candidates from all communities – including people of color, women, members of the LGBTQIA+ Community, veterans, and people with disabilities – are strongly encouraged to apply.

Equal Employment Opportunity is not just the law, it is our commitment.

Sponsors for Educational Opportunity is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer – M/F/D/V. We will consider all qualified applicants for employment regardless of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, parental status, genetic information or characteristics, or any other legally protected status.

If you need accommodation while applying for a role with SEO, due to a disability, please email SEO Talent.

THE ORGANIZATION

Established in 1963 by Michael Osheowitz, SEO (Sponsors for Educational Opportunity) is an educational non-profit founded on the belief that talent is everywhere; but opportunity is not. Our programs are designed to educate, train, mentor, and amplify the voices of our participants to give them a seat at the table – every table. We propel human potential.

SEO is an innovator in education, mentorship, and creating educational career opportunities that maximize the full potential of our participants. Each year SEO serves 7,000+ participants nationally, and the organization is widely recognized for developing best-in-class programs with exceptional results.

Not every SEO participant is on the same journey, but all are hungry for opportunity and SEO creates an ecosystem of excellence. Learn more about SEO's programs here: https://www.seo-usa.org/our-programs/.