Join Our Staff

Summer Search Silicon Valley currently has an opening for:

Part-time College and Financial Aid Advisor

part-time college and financial aid advisor

Organizational Summary

Summer Search is a dynamic national non-profit organization that finds resilient low-income high school students and inspires them to become responsible and altruistic leaders by providing a four-part program that includes year-round mentoring, life-changing summer experiences, college advising and a lasting support network. Summer Search started in 1990 in San Francisco and currently serves over 1,000 high school students and 2,000 alumni in the Bay Area (San Francisco, North Bay and Silicon Valley), Seattle, Boston, New York and Philadelphia. 93% of participants go on to become first generation college students and professionals.

Job Summary 

Manage college and financial aid advising process by collaborating with program staff to ensure that students meet our intermediate and long term outcomes, including: college readiness and persistence. Provides direct one-on-one college and financial aid advising, facilitates college workshops and develops relationships with students and alumni that aid in progress toward meeting outcomes. Part-time with potential for full-time status based on performance.

Principal Accountabilities

Advises students and alumni in the college and financial aid process

• Supports students on an individual basis providing college advisory services that encourage the best match post secondary plans  specific to each student’s needs and strengths. Partners with Summer Search mentors to help students explore options and create college plans that will best provide support for college persistence.

Facilitates college and financial aid preparation workshops

• Coordinates, prepares and facilitates a series of  college and financial aid workshops to students and parents.

Collaborates with mentors and post-secondary coordinators to address student progress toward outcomes

• Communicates with mentors and post-secondary coordinators about progress of students toward high school completion, college matriculation and persistence.
• Works with mentors and post-secondary coordinators to address student specific needs in meeting outcomes.

Creates learning opportunities

• Supports mentors with appropriate training regarding post-secondary education process to aid in mentors’ ability to support their students toward meeting high school graduation and post-secondary matriculation.
• Participates in organization-wide college and post-secondary program cohorts to learn from other sites and ensure best practices from the BA are shared nationally

Ensures tracking, management and communication of key college data

• Tracks progress toward multiple college goals (and other key data) and frequently updates staff on a regular basis.

Advocates for students and alumni

• Works with other Summer Search Bay Area college staff to present students to college and university partners in support of creating more opportunities for Summer Search students. Clearly conveys student strengths and background information.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

• Minimum of three years experience in college advising
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Experience in leading small and larger group facilitation a plus.
• Experience working with first generation college students a plus.
• A bachelor’s degree required, an advanced degree in a related area a plus
• Flexibility and openness to a professional environment that expects direct feedback, self-evaluation and the capacity to learn and grow on the job

Job Specifications

Start date: Immediate
Office: Silicon Valley
Location: San Jose
Benefits: Competitive salary commensurate with experience
Not eligible for regular benefits
Apply: Send resume and a cover letter that speaks to why you are applying to Summer Search Include in the letter your track record of performance, your desire to learn and your ability to overcome challenges. Send your application to Sarah Ham, Director of Human Resources, at bayareahire@summersearch.org