Lead College and Career Readiness Advisor

Lead College and Career Readiness Advisor
Date: May 12, 2025
Application Open Until Filled  

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BACKGROUND

Elevate is a dynamic community partnership facilitated by the United Way of the Blue Mountains, uniting diverse cross-sector members to strengthen the educational pipeline from cradle to career. Our mission is to ensure every student, regardless of background, has the opportunity to reach their full potential. Through collaborative efforts and data-driven strategies, Elevate works to eliminate barriers and foster success in education, creating a brighter future for all students in the region.  

The Elevate partnership received the Horizons Regional Grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.  This grant funds Elevate’s efforts to increase postsecondary enrollment and through increasing FAFSA completion rates, providing effective college and career advising, and increasing dual credit completion.  Essential in this work is an understanding of the postsecondary landscape and a commitment to engaging with low-income, rural, and Latino communities in the Blue Mountain region.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Lead College and Career Readiness Advisor (Lead CCRA) provides high-quality college and career advising services to students while also serving as a mentor and leader for a team of CCRAs across the region. This role combines direct service with strategic responsibilities, such as supporting school partnerships, leading professional learning, and using data to strengthen advising systems. The Lead CCRA helps ensure alignment across school sites and works closely with the Director of Postsecondary Access to implement Elevate’s postsecondary goals.  

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Student and School Support

• Work collaboratively with high school administrators, teachers, counselors, community-based organizations, and other staff to support high school students and families to navigate the postsecondary landscape and process.  
• Provide culturally-appropriate support to students and families in understanding and completing college applications, financial aid applications (including both FAFSA and WASFA), and other postsecondary application forms.
• Meet individually and in small groups with students to understand their aspirations and goals for after high school, and help students understand pathways to achieve those goals.
• Support students in the selection of high school coursework that aligns with their postsecondary and career goals, including career and technical education and dual credit coursework.
• Assist students with scholarship searches and applications.  
• Support students with the transition to postsecondary programs to prevent summer melt, including warm handoffs to postsecondary support staff.  
• Participate in school-based Postsecondary Ecosystems, including leading financial aid run chart data gathering and presentation.
• Collaborate with school teams to plan and support school and community events such as financial aid nights and college and career fairs.
• Collaborate with higher education partners and other regional higher education institutions to plan and carry out campus visits for high school students, including chaperoning part-day, full-day, and overnight field trips.  
• Participate in case management and professional development sessions, conferences and convenings, and other local and statewide professional learning opportunities.  
• Work collaboratively with building and regional partners to plan and carry out career exploration and readiness activities such as career fairs, guest speakers, job site visits, résumé and cover letter writing workshops, leadership opportunities, interviewing skills, and work-based learning.
• Work with school staff to assist students in completing their High School and Beyond Plans.  
• With support from school districts and Local Data Intermediary, collect and analyze student postsecondary application and enrollment data.
• Conduct and provide logistical support for family-focused workshops on postsecondary access, including Family Academy/Academia Familiar.
• Lead special projects in collaboration with the Director of Postsecondary Access.
• Maintain confidentiality of student and family information.  

CCRA Mentorship and Team Support

• Serve as a mentor and coach to other CCRAs, providing guidance on advising practices, school relationships, student engagement strategies, workflow, setting and assessing goals, collaborative work, communication, and scheduling.  
• Support onboarding, training, and continuous development of CCRAs, including co-facilitating professional development and workshops with technical assistance partners.
• Lead weekly case conferencing sessions with CCRA team and troubleshoot challenges raised by CCRAs, elevating concerns as necessary.  
• Serve as a liaison between CCRAs and the Director of Postsecondary Access.  
• Oversee CCRA completion of student-level data tracking, including financial aid run charts, school data trackers, and outcome tracking.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

1. Bachelor’s degree in education, counseling, social work, or a related field and three years related work experience, with demonstrated leadership or mentorship responsibilities.
2. Excellent interpersonal, relationship building, and communication skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships with high school students, school staff, and families.  
3. Demonstrated experience working with youth and a knowledge and passion for youth development, including at least two years’ experience working in K-12 schools or higher education, preferably in rural, low-income, or Latino communities.
4. Demonstrated familiarity with a variety of postsecondary options, financial aid, and career development strategies.
5. Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
6. Ability to manage projects and lead peers.  
7. Access to reliable transportation and valid insurance for travel throughout the region.  

ADDITIONAL PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Previous experience in project management, preferably in an educational setting.
2. Experience in facilitating workshops and meetings and adapting communication style to engage diverse groups of students, parents, and stakeholders.
3. Written and oral fluency in Spanish.

OTHER

This is a full-time, year-round position that requires in-person work at multiple school sites throughout the Blue Mountain region.  Some evening and weekend availability may be required for student and family events.  

COMPENSATION

Compensation will range from $70,000 to $76,000 depending on qualifications, experience, and benefit selections.  

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit the following information to amy@uwbluemt.org with the subject line “LEAD CCRA APPLICATION”

1. Cover letter
2. Resume

We will consider applications on a rolling basis until we find the right person.  

If you have questions, contact Amy Ly, Director of Postsecondary Access, at amy@uwbluemt.org.  

United Way is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.