College Access and College Success Coaches (AmeriCorps) -Seattle, WA

Serve Students in the Greater Seattle Area for a year, as an AmeriCorps College Coach with College Possible (Starting August 2022)

What is College Possible?

College Possible is one of the largest and most successful college access and success programs in the country. We are a non-profit organization dedicated to coaching students from low-income backgrounds to and through college using a near-peer coaching model. Our programming is delivered to students by recent college graduates serving a year or two in AmeriCorps. This coaching support is provided at no cost to students or their families and begins in the fall of students’ junior year of high school, continuing for 6+ years until college graduation. 

During the 2021-22 school year, we will reach an estimated 21,245 students in all 50 states, with the support of 169 partner high schools and 107 partner colleges.

Thanks to the support of their AmeriCorps coaches, compared to their peers from similar backgrounds, College Possible students are 30% more likely to enroll in college the year after high school graduation, and three times more likely to earn a bachelor’s degree after graduating high school.

What is AmeriCorps?

When you think of AmeriCorps, think of the Peace Corps but in your own backyard. AmeriCorps is a civil society program supported by the U.S. federal government, foundations, corporations, and other donors engaging adults in public service work with a goal of "helping others and meeting critical needs in the community." 

This national service opportunity at College Possible is a great match for:

• Recent college graduates interested in…
• Kickstarting their career in K-12 education, higher education, non-profit organizations, social work, and/or counseling, or corporate work, just to name a few. 
• Gaining valuable experience working directly with a diverse student population both in groups and 1-on-1 
• Taking a gap year(s) before graduate school
• Building a network of nonprofit professionals in the Greater Seattle Area and a national AmeriCorps alumni network

Available AmeriCorps opportunities (may vary by site)

High School Coach:

College Possible High School coaches work in our partner High Schools to support juniors and seniors as they begin to familiarize themselves with the college application process and prepare for college.

Major duties: 

• Lead weekly in-school and after school sessions to deliver curriculum to groups of juniors or seniors at a given High School
• Provide 1-on-1 coaching to students to develop their college plan
• Support college-going culture within school
• Work alongside school administration and counseling staff
• Support juniors with ACT/SAT test preparation 
• Guide seniors through the college application process, including essay writing, applications, scholarships and FAFSA 
• Help seniors choose their best match school
• Build and maintain strong relationships with students
• Attend weekly strategic team meetings
• Log and track student milestone data to prioritize student support

College Coach:

College Possible college coaches work with our students once they begin their college journeys. These coaches support students as they navigate major milestones essential to graduating from college.

Major duties: 

• Manage caseload of college students at schools in the Greater Seattle Area and around the country 
• Build and maintain in person and tech-connected relationships with students using texting, video chatting, and social media
• Support students with key milestones including course registration and financial aid renewal
• Network and collaborate with university staff within academic advising, financial aid and student services offices.
• Log and track student milestone data to prioritize student support
• Visit Seattle university campuses to meet with students in person 

Major Duties for All AmeriCorps Members:

• Participate in all online training, orientations and staff meetings
• Participate in organization-wide events
• Weekly check-in with supervisory staff
• Maintain a professional and courteous office atmosphere

College Possible Benefits:

• Receive a bi-weekly living stipend in the amount of $869.57 (before taxes). This will total $20,000 for the full term of service (August 15, 2022 - June 30, 2023)
• Public transportation cost covered
• Health insurance for those who need coverage
• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award in the amount of $6,495 that can be used to repay federal student loans or pay future education expenses
• Childcare benefits paid by AmeriCorps
• Loan forbearance and interest accrual payments for qualified loans
• Continuous professional skill and career development

Required Skills:

Four year college degree required. Ideal applicants will have demonstrated leadership skills, a high level of achievement in academics, employment and/or other pursuits, and a commitment to the mission of College Possible. Applicants of all academic majors are welcome to apply. Once hired, individuals will receive extensive training and ongoing support from full time College Possible program staff.

Please visit www.CollegePossible.org/serve to learn more about College Possible and serving with our organization!

College Possible is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, or status with regard to public assistance. Individuals with disabilities encouraged to apply. We provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals and conduct all possible activities in fully accessible settings. Alternative application formats are available upon request by contacting HR@collegepossible.org.

College Possible is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, and seeks to build a diverse workforce to create impact in partnership with the communities we serve. We welcome a diverse pool of qualified applicants. For each of its positions, College Possible is mindful about what best serves our students, and seeks to hire staff with relevant experience, skills and aptitude, and a commitment to the power of education. To learn more read our Diversity and Inclusion Plan.

Headquartered in Saint Paul, MN, College Possible operates regional sites in: Chicago, IL; Milwaukee, WI; Omaha, NE; Philadelphia, PA; Portland, OR; and Seattle, WA; College Forward in Austin, TX; and has Catalyze partnerships in California, Iowa, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, and Tennessee. Learn more at CollegePossible.org.

We have opportunities available beginning in August, 2022 in our Saint Paul, Minnesota; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Portland, Oregon; Chicago, Illinois; Philadelphia Pennsylvania; Seattle, Washington; and Omaha, Nebraska sites.