JOB PURPOSE

We seek a creative, driven, caring, responsible, ambitious and experienced educator to serve as Educational Alliance’s program college advisor for an innovative program designed to prepare and advance our teen girls for college and their careers by caring for their academic, social and emotional needs, while also providing the training needed to ensure their success in college and beyond. This is a hybrid in-person and remote part-time role requiring 15 hours per week.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Co-manage, along with a program lead and program coordinator, a mentorship program for high school juniors/ seniors to begin in June 2022.
• Support the design of program planning and materials.
• Advise program participants on the selection of colleges and universities aligned with their interests, career goals, academic foundations, and social and emotional needs.
• Plan and schedule college tours and aid program participants in reaching out to colleges of their interests.
• Advising and working one-on-one with each participant to prepare their college applications and their financial aid forms, as well as help participants research and apply for scholarships.
• Ensure college applications are complete and submitted timely.
• Be present to help facilitate weekly sessions with during the academic year; most sessions will include guest speakers will and follow a curriculum. Occasionally the Program Lead/Educator will lead the weekly session. Occasionally, the program college advisor will lead sessions relevant to the college application process.
• Continue to provide support to participants through their first year in college by facilitating weekly Zoom meetings with participants and advising on course enrollment, developing a study plan, and being accessible to address any issues or questions that typically arise during the first year in college.
• Track the schedule of participants during their first year in college to plan events and to schedule time for first year college participants to share their experiences with the cohort behind them.
• Help program participants identify jobs and/or internships when they return to NYC during extended college breaks.
• Serve as a mentor, champion, coach and teacher to participants both within and outside of scheduled program times. Overseeing student participation and retention.
• Facilitate the ongoing relationship between participants and mentors during the first year of college.
• Lead EA’s efforts for recruiting, selecting, and on-boarding participants.
• Coordinate with mentors and guest speakers, along with EA internal staff to create program materials that deepen and advance the learning experience for participants.
• Create educational materials to support the curriculum.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Undergraduate or graduate degree in education, sociology, psychology, or related field.
• Experience working with high school seniors as a college advisor.
• 3-5 years of experience working with young adults in an informal or formal educational setting, including teaching and curriculum development; coaching, etc.
• Experience mentoring high school or college students.

ROLE KEY COMPETENCIES

• Self-motivated and able to work autonomously;
• Detail-oriented and extremely organized;
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and commitment to a high level of professionalism;
• Excellent judgment and discretion in dealing with confidential and sensitive information;
• Resourceful and adaptable to changing needs and demands.
• Strong vision and sense of purpose in working with teens and/or young adults.
• Motivational and highly empathetic to recognize when participants are in need of encouragement and support.
• Highly committed and dedicated in working to achieve positive outcomes in the lives of teens and the youth we serve.

Program Description and Mission:

Educational Alliance’s Teen Center, Edgies, is launching the GRACE initiative, an enrichment and mentorship program for 25 high school junior and senior girls interested in making an impact upon the world in which they inhabit. The program will take place over two academic calendar years (September 2022 - June 2023; September 2023 - June 2024).

Students will have the opportunity to meet and learn from accomplished women working in fields and areas in which they are making great impact like the United Nations and shaping Healthcare and Education policy to ignite their passion and jumpstart their career or studies in areas aligned with their interests.

In alignment with Educational Alliance’s commitment to find innovative ways to motivate and provide access to students, Edgies is committed to partnering with pioneering women to introduce exciting learning opportunities and apprenticeships to a high school girls.

About Educational Alliance (EA):

Educational Alliance is a leading social institution that has been serving communities in New York City’s Lower Manhattan since 1889. It provides multi-generational programs and services in education, health and wellness, arts and culture, and civic engagement across 15 sites and a network of five community centers: the 14th Street Y, Center for Recovery and Wellness, Manny Cantor Center, Sirovich Center for Balanced Living, and Educational Alliance Community Schools.

What to expect:

The program is a two-year stipend program open to all rising New York City high school juniors and seniors, who will be chosen via application and interview.

Students will spend approximately 5 hours per week at either Educational Alliance or working with their mentors. Workshops will take place over mid-winter and spring breaks.

Students will receive both instruction and guidance through enrichment programming/ development and professional development through mentorship.

Students will be enrolled in college preparatory programmings, such as SAT prep, college application essay writing assistance, and one-on-one support in developing a robust portfolio to be used for their careers, college, and other applications.