COLLEGE READINESS ADVISOR, HIGH SCHOOL

COLLEGE READINESS ADVISOR, HIGH SCHOOL

Waukegan to College (IL) Waukegan, IL Job Details Full-time $45,000

• $47,000 a year 4 hours ago Benefits Health savings account Health insurance Dental insurance 401(k) Tuition reimbursement Paid time off Parental leave Employee assistance program Vision insurance 401(k) 2% match Professional development assistance Flexible schedule Life insurance Qualifications Spanish Teamwork Writing skills College planning Schedule management Driver's License Bachelor's degree Attention to detail Working with students Student admissions Data entry Project management software Computer skills Community relationship building Grammar Experience Google Slides Time management Full Job Description

ABOUT US

Waukegan to College is a nonprofit organization founded in 2009 in Waukegan, IL. Our mission is to create brighter futures for first-generation students, their families, and their community by preparing students to enroll in and graduate from a four-year college or university. Our work is focused on three main areas: College Readiness

• providing academic support, advising, and mentoring for students to maintain their grades and take the necessary courses to be considered college-ready. College Access
• helping students identify where they would like to attend college and apply for acceptance, financial aid, and scholarships. College Persistence
• provide advising and mentoring to help students be resilient, succeed in college, and graduate in four years. The following Core Values guide us: Equity
• access, opportunity, and inclusivity Relationships
• local, family, and community Collaboration
• work together; everyone does their part Ambition
• strive for excellence, dare to dream Leadership
• accountability, self-advocacy, and influence Operating more like a startup than a traditional nonprofit, we are bold, lean, and mission-focused.

We make data-driven decisions and are human-centered. We care deeply and work hard to serve our students and families. We strive for excellence and to increase our impact to meet the needs of our community. In the last 4 years, we have doubled in size. Our vision is called 1000 Dreams, and our goal is to grow to serve 1000 Waukegan students by 2030. At Waukegan to College, a team of 16 committed staff members serves 300+ students and their families in our program. We also provide on-site post-secondary pathways programming in the middle schools and high schools. Since 2009, we have helped 132 students graduate from college

• the first in their families!

POSITION SUMMARY

Waukegan to College is seeking a High School College Readiness Advisor to support Waukegan students in building the skills and confidence needed for success in high school and lay the foundation for college matriculation and graduation. The ideal candidate is deeply committed to investing in the lives of first-generation, college-bound students and supporting their academic and personal growth. Under the supervision of the team lead, the advisor will work with students in small group cohorts and one-on-one settings, guiding them in developing personalized Student Success Plans.

WHAT WE EXPECT FROM YOU

You initiate. You follow instructions, but also see where work needs to be done. You will research solutions and propose them with the hopes of helping our organization operate more smoothly. You don't just do the status quo. You are a communicator. You know how to craft messages to many different audiences, whether it is a student who needs help with course selection or building a college list, a parent who is learning about the path to college, or a mentor asking what they can do to help their mentee. You know what to say or to whom to pass along the information. You care deeply and know why this work matters. We are a resource to the community and essential to helping students reach their potential. Since our approach is holistic, we support the whole person, not just academically. We also work closely with the parents and include them in advising and programming. You are collaborative. You come with positive energy and want to work as a team to get things done. You practice vulnerability and aren't afraid to ask if you don't know. You trust others and have their back. You are willing to support others with tasks that may be outside of your normal responsibilities.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

College Readiness Build strong relationships with students and parents to foster engagement and trust. Serve as an academic advisor to 10th-grade students, providing individualized guidance and support. Coordinate with teachers and school counselors to align academic and social-emotional supports. Develop a personalized Student Success Plan to set and track goals with each student. Motivate and guide students to actively participate in program components such as tutoring, workshops, summer learning, and field trips. Monitor and track student progress through CRM data collection, ensuring appropriate support and accurate documentation for program evaluation and reporting. Other Participate in the Waukegan to College new student recruitment and intake selection process. Attend college and university events, meet with admission counselors, and gather information about college admissions to support students in developing their college plans. Chaperone students to Waukegan to College-sponsored events, including after-school, weekend, or week-long trips. Engage in professional conferences and participate in other professional development opportunities. Perform other duties as assigned to support the organization's mission and goals.

QUALIFICATIONS

ESSENTIAL Prior experience with college advising and/or admissions processes. Strong familiarity with U.S. colleges and universities, including requirements, programs, campus culture, size, and location. Knowledge of what schools value in extracurriculars, personal statements/essays, interviews, and other application components. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including grammar and presentation. Bilingual in Spanish (speaking, reading, writing). Demonstrated computer and software skills (Google Suite, presentations, project management tools, data tracking, etc.). Highly organized, reliable, and detail-oriented, with strong scheduling and time-management skills. Quick response times and ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, consistent with student and office needs. Friendly, confident, and professional demeanor.

QUALIFICATIONS

STRONGLY

PREFERRED

Experience working with lower-income, first-generation, or underrepresented student populations. Customer-service experience, particularly with students, families, and volunteers. Demonstrated ability to collaborate with a diverse population of students and colleagues.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Must have a valid driver's license and use of a personal vehicle. Must be able to pass a background check.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS A

bachelor's Degree in education, public administration, non-profit management, business, social work, or human services is strongly preferred. Contribute to a culture of teamwork, inclusion, and continuous improvement across all programs. Hours and Compensation Full-time exempt, an average of 40 hours per week Salary based on experience, starting at $45,000 Must have a flexible work schedule to support in school hours and after-school hours. Typical school year hours,

Monday-Thursday:

11 AM

• 7 PM for after-school programming. Not to exceed 6 evenings per month Summer hours: 9 AM
• 5 PM Occasional weekends A laptop, cell phone, and other tools necessary for the position are provided Benefits Health, dental, and vision insurance
• up to 80% (plan dependent) 401K with a 2% annual employer contribution $25,000 life insurance policy Generous PTO
• starting with 15 days of vacation, 1 personal day, 5 sick days, two week-long breaks (December and June), and 8 holidays Professional development opportunities

Pay:

$45,000.00

• $47,000.

00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) Dental insurance Employee assistance program Flexible schedule Health insurance Health savings account Life insurance Paid time off Parental leave Professional development assistance Tuition reimbursement Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person