College Admissions Advisor, High School Students

Location: This is a hybrid position. We expect the College Admissions Advisor to be working remotely 2 days per week and on high school campuses in West Contra Costa (El Cerrito, Richmond, Pinole area) up to 3 days a week with some variation due to seasonality.

Students Rising Above (SRA) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit founded nearly 30 years ago to serve all nine counties of the San Francisco Bay Area, now supporting students across the country. Students Rising Above (SRA) believes in the transformative power of education and every day we work to empower underrepresented students to achieve their life goals by connecting them to the tools, resources, and supportive community they need to excel and thrive on their college-to-career journey.

Comprised of a tightly organized team of trained experts, corporate partners, an engaged student community, and the commitment of both individual donors and foundations, SRA has created an all-encompassing program that offers students support, including but not limited to:

• Social-emotional support
• Academic advising and support
• Mental Health & Healthcare navigation
• Career guidance
• Professional development

By providing comprehensive guidance and support whenever and wherever it’s needed, SRA accomplishes its mission through a series of proven initiatives that have a direct and profound impact, affecting lives for generations. For more information, visit www.studentsrisingabove.org.

Overview

The College Admissions Advisor provides direct college access, admissions guidance and financial aid support to high school seniors. The advisor will support students from low-income and first-generation backgrounds as they navigate the college application, financial aid, and postsecondary decision-making process. This role will sit in our Pre College program and will support SRA Rising Stars students virtually and the SRA Bridge program on campus in West Contra Costa County.

This role is ideal for a professional with knowledge of the college admissions landscape - particularly CSU, UC, and Common App systems—who thrives in student-centered environments and demonstrates a commitment to equity, access, and culturally responsive advising. SRA is a growing organization; successful candidates will need to be flexible with additional duties resulting from expansion. SRA is committed to supporting a positive and diverse workplace to meet the needs of all of our students and encourage applicants with experience serving students from diverse backgrounds and underserved communities to apply. We expect this role to be on campus approximately 3 days per week and remote 2 days per week.

Key Responsibilities:

College Admissions & Financial Aid Guidance

• Provide individualized and group advising to high school seniors on college selection, applications, and financial aid.
• Develop and maintain a personalized college application plan for each student, monitoring progress and deadlines.
• Host workshops and drop-in hours for topics such as essay writing, college fit, and financial literacy.
• Support students with FAFSA, CADAA, and scholarship applications across multiple schools.
• Guide students through interpreting financial aid award letters and making informed college choices.
• Guide students with waitlist and financial aid appeals.
• Assist with organizing annual student overnight retreat, financial aid workshops, and the Off to College workshop.
• Build trusting, mentoring relationships with students to ensure emotional and academic support throughout the college process.
• Communicate regularly via in-person meetings, calls, texts, and email to ensure consistent engagement.
• Collaborate with school counselors, teachers, and community partners to coordinate student support and referrals.

Program Administration

• Maintain accurate and timely student data in Salesforce or designated tracking systems.
• Collaborate with high school college centers to work with caseload of identified students
• Participate in regular check-ins with SRA program staff and High School site team.
• Collaborate with other staff and departments to ensure students receive comprehensive support services which may include: Career Development, mentorship, health care needs, etc.
• Provide updates and reflections to inform ongoing improvement of college access programming.

Data Entry & Analysis

• Enter and update all required SalesForce data for students.
• Review data consistently and use collected data to recognize trends and inform advising.

Organizational Commitment:

• Strong interpersonal skills and effective at building relationships with all stakeholders.
• Position may include occasional travel for conferences or other program-related events.
• Participate in on-going training with the SRA programs team.
• Travel throughout the Bay Area is required (primarily in the East Bay).
• Because our students are in school during the day, advising often happens in the late afternoon or evening and on weekends. This position requires you to be available to work shifted hours (for instance, 12pm - 8pm) up to 3 days per week and some seasonal Saturdays or Sundays throughout the year.

Required Qualifications:

• Proven college advising experience with high school students from diverse racial, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Deep knowledge of the CSU, UC and Common Application.
• Experience with FAFSA and CA Dream Act applications and the verification process.
• Strong computer skills and knowledge of Salesforce is a plus.
• Excellent judgment and ability to coach students through difficult situations.
• An ability to work both independently and in a group environment.
• Ability to reach out for help when support is needed.
• Commitment to a personal and professional exploration of power and privilege, including a willingness to self-reflect and experience discomfort in difficult and transformative conversations. Previous progress along this journey required.
• Bachelor’s degree required
• 2+ years minimum of relevant experience post college graduation.
• Current driver's license and regular access to a vehicle.
• Holds self accountable, and consistently produces quality work.
• Flexible learner and problem solver who feels comfortable taking initiative.

• Medical, Dental, & Vision
  • Plans through Kaiser, United Health, Anthem Blue Cross, Sutter Health, Ameritas, and other providers
• Self-Care Days
• Flexible Vacation Time
• Monthly technology stipend
• Ability to invest in 403(b) Retirement Plan
• Mission-driven work with meaningful impact