Academic Advisor

Jan 1 - Priority Deadline

College Track is the nation’s most comprehensive college completion program, partnering with students from historically underserved communities who aspire to become the first in their families to earn a bachelor’s degree. Through our holistic, 10-year Promise, we partner with scholars to unlock their brilliance—supporting them through high school, college, and into their careers with the tools, networks, and opportunities they deserve to thrive. 

What began in 1997 with 25 students in East Palo Alto has grown into a national movement of more than 5,400 scholars and alumni who are driving change in their families, campuses, workplaces, and communities. Today, we operate 13 centers rooted in communities across California, Colorado, Louisiana, and the D.C. Metro Area, with our newest site opening in Baltimore, thanks to a bold partnership with the Baltimore Ravens, M&T Bank, and Baltimore City Public Schools. To learn more, please visit www.collegetrack.org. 

Our Impact - Our scholars are leaders on more than 300 college campuses nationwide, including at partner institutions like Middlebury College, Tulane University, Bowie State University, and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. They graduate at rates that are three times the national average for first-generation students, proving what’s possible when talent meets opportunity. One year after college, 80 percent of our alumni are employed, and by age 30, they earn an average of $89,823—outpacing the national median and demonstrating the long-term economic mobility a bachelor’s degree unlocks. 

These outcomes are the result of a deliberate approach that supports scholars to minimize student debt, secure paid internships, and reduce the need to work excessive hours while in school—ensuring they can focus on learning, leadership, and personal growth. By preparing our scholars to capture the full value of their degree, we position them to thrive in the 21st-century economy and lead lives of opportunity, choice, purpose, and power. 

Our Values 

At College Track, our values drive the way we do our work, and we look for individuals who share our passion. We blend an entrepreneurial spirit with our nonprofit roots, cultivating a dynamic culture where everyone's contributions are valued and encouraged. 

• COMMITMENT: With every choice and every decision, we center the 10-year promise.
• PASSION: It is the fire that drives us, and we’re in it for the long haul. 
• JOY: Energized by the hopes, ambitions, and growth of our scholars, we celebrate the impact of our community. 
• AUTHENTICITY: What each brings to the table contributes to deep and trusting relationships. 
• EXCELLENCE: Every day is better than the last, we’re always learning, always progressing, always evolving. 

Position Overview 

The Academic Advisor reports to the Director of Program. The Academic Advisor will work closely with their peer Academic Advisors, in addition to other members of the site team. By delivering engaging content and facilitating dynamic workshops and hosting 1:1 advising appointments, the Academic Advisor will help ensure scholars matriculate into colleges that match their academic and personal goals. 

Primary Responsibilities 

• Academic Curriculum Delivery 

o Deliver College Track’s Academic Curriculum to positively impact scholar achievement, supporting their journeys to become successful in college 

o Track and analyze data; ensure all students are attending workshops and advising appointments, meeting organizational and site requirements, and are making academic progress 

o Create and implement individualized student academic success plans as needed o Regularly collect student data and feedback and incorporate it into future interactions o Stay current with best practices by participating in professional development, including those provided by the central program team 

• Community, Caregiver, and Scholar Engagement 

o Quickly build trusting relationships with students, providing them with culturally relevant support and ensuring they feel a sense of belonging within College Track o Develop and maintain strong relationships with teachers, college counselors, coaches, and caregivers to create an integrated web of support for scholar success 

o Hold one-on-one meetings with students and their caregivers to provide scholars with the information and support they need to thrive 

• Academic Advising and Reporting 

o Manage a diverse caseload of ~120 high scholars, ensuring each student has the tools, resources, and support plans they need to matriculate to college and earn a bachelor’s degree 

o Provide individualized, one-on-one academic advising to scholars quarterly o Assess, track, analyze, and report leading indicators (like GPA, high school and college coursework, and transcript submission) to design data-driven interventions 

o Serve as a conduit for organizational resources for scholars and families. 

o Collaborate with colleagues at the site and at central about student needs, creating a supportive environment where students can succeed in all aspects of programming ● Other duties as assigned 

Qualifications 

First and foremost, the Academic Advisor will be a fierce advocate for College Track’s mission to equip students confronting systemic barriers to earn a bachelor’s degree in pursuit of a life of opportunity, choice, and power. Additionally, candidates bring with them the following skills, experience, and knowledge: 

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree 
• ~2 years of academic tutoring/advising/teaching skills. 
• Knowledge of emerging trends, policies, and practices in holistic, student-centered, culturally responsive, and asset-based pedagogy 
• Demonstrated success in analyzing student data and developing targeted, data-driven interventions. Academic advising experience within a college-access institution is a plus. ● Strong sense of possibility; unwavering belief that students can accomplish any goal. Hold the highest expectations for all students and learner types. 

Academic Advisor 

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships across lines of difference, including scholars, teachers, and caregivers. 
• Comfortable navigating a Learning Management System such as Google Classroom, or Coursera, and grade portals such as PowerSchool, or IIluminate. Experience with Salesforce is a plus. 
• Spanish fluency strongly preferred 
• Physical Requirements: alternating between sedentary work that primarily involves sitting, standing, typing on a keyboard, manipulating a mouse to use a computer's operating system/internet, and more active work such as moving around an office environment, communicating with scholars/stakeholders, (conveying and receiving information), classroom management, far visual acuity, near visual acuity lifting/carrying/moving objects (20 pounds). 

Compensation and Benefits 

The full salary range for this position is $60,000-$72,500, with the exact salary depending on experience. As a new staff member, you can expect an offer between $63,500 - $66,499 to ensure internal equity while leaving room for salary growth during your time at College Track. 

College Track provides access to extensive benefits centered around three core areas of wellness: health care, work-life balance, and financial security. We believe time off is essential to success and provide up to 23 discretionary time off days (Sick and Vacation) in addition to 23 paid office closures and holiday days in your first year of employment. Learn more about benefits here (bit.ly/JpBs22). 

What Else You Should Know 

• The hours for this position are: 10:40am-7:05pm
• While we hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds, we especially encourage applicants who identify as first-generation college graduates to apply for open opportunities on staff.

● College Track is an equal-opportunity employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce. College Track does not discriminate based on race, age, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression.