Educational Adviser, Young Scholars

Exempt Full-Time
Date Posted: 03/29/2024

Under the direction of the Program Manager, the Educational Adviser is responsible for providing comprehensive, one-on-one educational advising and arranging educational opportunities for a caseload of approximately 35 scholarship recipients from low- to moderate-income families throughout the U.S. Leads community engagement with Scholars via monthly phone & video chats, online hangouts, summer programming, regional activities, and a learning management system.

 

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES

  1. Cultivates collaborative, multi-year partnerships with Scholars and their families.
  2. Works closely with Scholars and families from grades eight through twelve on Individualized Learning Plans (ILPs) that help Scholars first consider and then work toward their academic, talent, and career-related goals. Supports Scholars’ growth and curiosity throughout high school so they are prepared to thrive in a college environment. Builds annual and multi-year plans that include four-year course planning, evaluation of high school curriculum, talent enrichment activities, summer learning experiences, leadership activities, college advising, and internships/mentorships. Develops budget recommendations for each scholarship recipient’s ILP throughout the Scholar’s high school career.
  3. Provides ongoing academic advising and support to scholarship recipients and their families throughout the year, in person and remotely (via videoconference, phone, email).
  4. Facilitates regularly scheduled Scholar group hangouts using Teams videoconferencing and supports Scholar’s learning and engagement via a learning management system, Canvas.
  5. Works with each new scholarship recipient and their family during the eighth-grade year to assess high school options, including public and independent schools, and prepare for entry into high school.
  6. Partners with the Dean of College Counseling to ensure that Scholars receive appropriate college advising during the eleventh and twelfth-grade years. Also helps the Scholar to become a competitive applicant for selective colleges and scholarships.
  7. Visits Scholars and their families in fall of eighth grade to foster strong reciprocal relationships and learn more about Scholars’ needs, accomplishments, and school setting.
  8. Tracks and records communication notes and Scholar progress in program’s database with attention to accuracy, substance, and timeliness.
  9. Supports families to identify high-quality vendors to provide ILP services to Scholars and helps to arrange for vendor payment.
  10. Manages Scholars’ ILP budget opportunities. Assists with tracking of payments to vendors for ILP services provided to Scholars and maintains adequate accounting records. Reports unspent funds quarterly and checks in with families and vendors about inconsistencies in lesson visits, etc.
  11. Researches, recommends, and, as appropriate, establishes relationships with independent school admissions and business office personnel, college admissions officers, as well as summer program admissions staff. Assists Scholars with applying for financial aid for private schools, colleges, and summer programs.
  12. Reviews report cards, standardized testing score reports, and other periodic progress reports from Scholars, their families, schools, and vendors as well as makes recommendations for additional Scholar-centered academic supports (like tutoring).
  13. Participates in the annual Young Scholars selection process.
  14. Attends in-person events throughout the academic year and during the summer; supports curriculum development and delivery for Welcome Weekend and Senior Summit.
  15. Assists with preparation and management of residential summer Young Scholars programs on college campuses across the U.S.
  16. Actively participates in Foundation meetings and works collaboratively with others to complete projects and goals.
  17. Other tasks as assigned.

 

JOB QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

  • Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree; Master’s degree in curriculum & teaching, school counseling, school psychology, or other education-related field preferred.
  • Minimum of three years of experience in a counseling, education, teaching, youth development, or other relevant setting required.
  • Experience working with students whose families demonstrate financial need and/or who are first-generation preferred.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills as well as experience with conflict resolution; strong desire and ability to work with individual young people and their families.
  • Strong preference given for bilingual language fluency.
  • Ability to work independently and simultaneously on multiple projects within close, overlapping, and/or conflicting deadlines.
  • Must be a flexible team player, detail oriented, and have excellent organizational skills.
  • A demonstrated commitment to supporting and enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion.
  • The Foundation follows a 35-hour work week schedule for full-time positions. Exempt employees may be required to work additional hours as needed to perform the duties of the job.
  • This position will require occasional evening and weekend hours for Scholar meetings, events, and/or programs.
  • Ability to make a minimum of a two-year commitment.

 

To apply, submit a resume and cover letter through the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Career Center. E-Verify employer. No phone calls please.