College Readiness Advisor, Middle School

JOB DESCRIPTIONWaukegan to College seeks a Middle School College Readiness Advisor to support Waukegan students in preparing for success in high school, which will lead to matriculation and graduation from a 4-year college or university. Waukegan to College seeks a candidate committed to investing in the lives of 5th-8th grade students.

The Middle School College Readiness Advisor works directly with a caseload of middle school students in one-on-one and group settings. Candidates should be passionate about and have experience working with students from diverse backgrounds, including first-generation, low-income students. The qualified candidate will demonstrate commitment to equitable access to education, working with students and families, not telling them what to do, and believing in the power of a student’s dream!

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 needed help with course selection, a parent who is learning about the path to college, or a mentor asking what they can do to help their mentee – you know exactly what to say or who to pass along the information to.

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.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESIncludes but is not limited to

Primary:Serve as an academic advisor for a caseload of students in 5th-8th gradeEngage with students at a middle school and provide instruction on college readiness awareness, exploration, and preparationBuild and cultivate relationships with students and parents Coordinate and collaborate with teachers and administrative staff at our partner schoolsCreate an Academic Success and Life Plan with each studentDevelop a program plan and deliver the curriculum through a cohort modelProvide 1:1 academic advising as neededMotivate and guide students in program participation, such as tutoring, workshops, summer learning, and field trips through our Expanding Horizons programMonitor and track student’s progress through data collection in our CRM to ensure that they receive appropriate support, and we can document their progress for program evaluation and reporting purposesSecondary:You may…Collaborate with team and other staff to support developing and delivering other Waukegan to College programming (i.e., Youth Leadership Retreat, Summer Learning on College Campuses, College and Career Visits, etc.)Chaperone up to a week-long college visit to numerous schools once a year (summer)Participate in cross-departmental activities, projects, and processes as needed (i.e., Community Outreach/Tabling Events; Waukegan to College Presentations, Fundraising events)We highly prefer candidates who can speak Spanish. Because most of our students come from Spanish-speaking families, the Middle School Program Associate must have fluency in oral and written Spanish communication.Waukegan to College team members receive program-specific training throughout the school year. Waukegan to College ensures team members feel prepared, confident, and supported while working with students and facilitating programs. Team members can also take advantage of various professional development opportunities.

Qualifications: The EssentialsDemonstrated computer and software skills (Google Suite, presentation, project management, etc.)Extreme attention to detailStrong communication and interpersonal skillsCustomer-service experience (our main customers are our students, their families, and our volunteers)

Qualifications: Strongly PreferredExperience working with lower-income and first-generation familiesExperience in working on remote teamsExperience in curriculum development and lesson planningBi-lingual in Spanish: Speaking, Reading, Writing

Other RequirementsMust have a valid driver’s license and use of their own vehicleMust be able to work some evenings and weekends, especially during the school year

Educational RequirementsBachelor’s Degree in education, public administration, non-profit management, business, social work, or human services is strongly preferred

Hours:Full-time, 40 hours per weekMust have a flexible work schedule to support in school and after school hours. Typical school year hours, Mon - Fri:7 am - 3 pm if assigned to a middle school; 2-3 days per week11 AM -7 PM for after-school programming (Mon - Thur)Summer hours: 9 AM - 5 PM

Salary and Benefits:Salary based on experience, from $40,000-45,000Health, dental, and vision insurance – 90% (covered by employer)401K with a 2% annual employer contribution$25,000 life insurance policyGenerous PTO (minimum 15 days of vacation, 1 personal day, 5 sick days, the week between Christmas and New Year, 4 summer Fridays, and 8 holidays)Professional development opportunitiesA laptop, cell phone, and other tools necessary for the position are providedProfessional development opportunities

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 to identify where they would like to go to 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 inclusivityRelationships - local, family, and communityCollaboration - work together; everyone does their partAmbition - strive for excellence, dare to dreamLeadership - accountability, self-advocacy, and influence

At Waukegan to College, over 200 students and their families are part of our program. During the last 14 years, we have helped 80 students graduate from college - the first in their families!