AmeriCorps Academic Advisor

AmeriCorps Academic Advisor

Jumpstart your career and make a lasting impact on first-generation college students through a year of AmeriCorps service at Breakthrough Silicon Valley!  

About Breakthrough Silicon Valley

Breakthrough Silicon Valley launches talented students who have been historically excluded from higher education on the path to college, and inspires high school and college students to become the next generation of leaders, advocates, and educators. BTSV’s seven-year college access and success program, which supports students from 7th grade to first year of college, has proven to be effective in preparing these students for college: a stunning 99% of BTSV graduates attend college immediately after high school.

BTSV’s tuition-free program provides year-round out-of-school time academic support, counseling, and advocacy for a diverse group of talented students, most of whom come from under-resourced communities and will be the first generation in their family to go to college. Through our students-teaching-students model, BTSV also provides a consummate professional development experience providing talented high school and college students the opportunity to understand the K-12 system and the drivers of educational inequities, and to design and teach classes under the direction of seasoned educators.

Located in San Jose, California, Breakthrough Silicon Valley is an affiliate of The Breakthrough Collaborative, a leading national service organization that acts as the national voice for 25 Breakthrough sites across the country.

The AmeriCorps Positions

We are looking for full-time AmeriCorps members to provide academic and college readiness/planning support to 7th to 12th grade students in the Breakthrough Silicon Valley program. AmeriCorps members will serve full time from early September 2024 to early August 2025. 

The AmeriCorps members will serve alongside and be supported by the BTSV program team while preparing students for their college journey. This is a fantastic opportunity for passionate recent college graduates to make a difference in the educational trajectory of aspiring first-generation college students.

Academic and College Readiness Advisors (7th-8th grade)

• Build supportive relationships with approximately 30 students in grades 7-8 who aspire to be among the first generation in their families to graduate from college and who are just starting their Breakthrough journey.
• Provide coaching on academic and non-academic pursuits. Support students as they set goals for themselves that may range from grades and test scores, to getting involved in their community or exploring a career interest. Support students as they create their own plans for reaching their goals and meet with them regularly to encourage their progress!
• Lead after school and occasional weekend sessions, such as study skills workshops and “Super Saturday” community-building events.
• Staff program office hours and provide drop-in services including homework support as needed.
• Once the school year is over, AmeriCorps members transition from academic advisors to co-curricular activity leaders (CALs) at BTSV’s signature middle school summer program. CALs will support the building of culture and community at the daily All School Meeting and through planning special events such as Spirit Week, Crew Olympics, and the end of summer celebration.

Academic and College Planning Advisors (9-12th grade)

• Build supportive relationships with approximately 30 students in grades 9-10 who aspire to be among the first generation in their families to graduate from college OR support 11th-12th graders with their college exploration, application, financial aid, and decision-making process.
• Provide coaching on academic and non-academic pursuits. Support students as they set goals for themselves that may range from grades and test scores, to getting involved in their community or exploring a career interest. Support students as they create their own plans for reaching their goals and meet with them regularly to encourage their progress!
• Encourage students to take advantage of their summers to develop their leadership skills and broaden their horizons through work, enrichment camps, academic study, or volunteerism.
• Support evening and occasional weekend workshops on topics such as professional skills, career and major exploration, and college research; and organize social and community building events.
• Once the school year is over, AmeriCorps members transition from academic advisors to supporting BTSV’s summer programming: teaching High School Prep curriculum or serving as a co-curricular activity leader at BTSV’s 9th grade summer program, or assisting rising seniors and first-year college students at college camps and the annual Grad Summit.

Learn more about AmeriCorps and national service here!

Training and Professional Development

BTSV wants you to learn and grow as much as your students will. At the start of your service, you will receive a comprehensive orientation to your new team, to BTSV, our program, and your role. Throughout the year, you will be supported by your manager and the AmeriCorps Program Director to pursue training specific to your role and your own goals for professional development.  

Requirements

• Have a commitment to community service and the ability to serve the complete program year: a service term of 1,700+ hours from early September 2024 to early August 2025. 
• Bachelor’s degree or enrolled in college pursuing your degree
• US citizen, US national, or lawful permanent resident of the United States
• Access to reliable transportation to our program offices and summer program sites via personal vehicle, public transit, or other means
• As BTSV is an out-of-school time program, availability for evening and occasional weekend service is a must
• Spanish or Vietnamese language skills are a plus, but not required
• “Breakthrough Spirit”: You’re a collaborative team player who is committed to excellence and is open-minded. You demonstrate a growth mindset, think creatively to solve problems, and serve with a sense of humor and humility.
• Commitment to BTSV’s mission and goals as well as a passion for educational equity.

Compensation

AmeriCorps positions are volunteer roles which carry a living allowance. BTSV’s AmeriCorps members will receive:

• $30,000 living allowance (pre-tax) paid semi-monthly over the 11-month service term
• Health insurance, if needed
• Most AmeriCorps members will be eligible for food supplement programs, like SNAP/CalFresh to help cover monthly grocery expenses

AmeriCorps members who complete their service are eligible for a $10,000 education award via the AmeriCorps Segal Education Award and the California for All Education Award. This award can be used for continuing education or to even repay certain student loans. Many members will also qualify for student loan forbearance. Learn more about AmeriCorps Education Awards here!

Location

BTSV maintains two offices in San Jose:

• Bridges Academy: 1702 McLaughlin Ave, San Jose, CA 95122
• Herbert Hoover Middle School: 1635 Park Ave, San Jose, CA 95126

AmeriCorps members are required to serve full-time in person. This is not a remote position.

COVID-19 Information

BTSV is continually monitoring the COVID-19 situation locally and will continue to comply with all state, county, city, and/or school district directives on vaccination, PPE, social distancing, and remote work as they evolve.

Application Process

Apply at breakthroughsv.org/joinourteam. We will review applications on a rolling basis.

BTSV engages with individuals of all backgrounds and we are committed to embracing diversity within our organization, including developing a team who represents the communities we serve.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, BTSV is committed to providing employment opportunities to all individuals and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

• Health insurance, if needed
• Most AmeriCorps members will be eligible for food supplement programs, like SNAP/CalFresh to help cover monthly grocery expenses

AmeriCorps members who complete their service are eligible for a $10,000 education award via the AmeriCorps Segal Education Award and the California for All Education Award. This award can be used for continuing education or to even repay certain student loans. Many members will also qualify for student loan forbearance. Learn more about AmeriCorps Education Awards here!