EOC Part-Time College Access Advisor (Johnson County)

Job Summary: The College Access Advisor will be responsible for advising eligible program participants, assisting participants with creating educational plans, guiding participants as they complete college and financial aid applications, preparing program mailouts, and planning and developing educational events and materials. As part of the TRIO EOC division, the College Access Advisor will support the three TRIO EOC programs at ORS, which collectively serve 3,000 individuals annually, two-thirds of which will be first-generation and low-income. They will support the Assistant Directors and Program Director in ensuring project objectives are met. 

Candidates for this position must be comfortable working with individuals from all walks of life including  former foster youth, unemployed/underemployed adults, formerly incarcerated individuals, high school students, participants experiencing homelessness, veterans, adults of all ages, etc. Candidates must be willing to meet with clients using virtual meeting platforms, in-person, and over the phone. Additionally, candidates must be a self-starter, ready to work a flexible schedule, and willing to work on-site at various partner locations. This is a part-time position that requires excellent customer service skills,  innovative problem-solving, a passion for education and serving the community, knowledge of the college admissions and financial aid process, as well as the barriers that low-income students may encounter when enrolling in postsecondary education. This position will primarily work out of our Cleburne office.

Expected Hours: 25-28 hours/week (Between hours of Mon-Thurs, 9 AM – 5 PM, occasional evenings or weekends required)

Locations: Hybrid position with various work locations in and around Johnson County, including the ORS office in Cleburne, and occasional outreach at various partner schools and agencies, and some possible remote work

Roles and Responsibilities:

Administrative

• Manage a caseload of EOC clients (roughly 300)
• Ensure all programming, publications, and part-time team members reflect positively on the organization;
• Answering office phone calls and routing them to the correct staff member as needed;
• Monitoring office text messages and emails to ensure they get responses;
• Prepare mailouts to participants, including information packets to incarcerated individuals;
• Organize, scan, and track incoming mail;
• Maintain clean data in the student database;
• Maintain accurate participant records, including electronic participant files on Google drive and the student database;
• Complete time and effort reports promptly and accurately;  
• Help to maintain epic partnerships with community stakeholders, community partners, and program clients;
• Complete intake forms and contact forms promptly and accurately;
• Keep an updated inventory of office supplies, publication needs, and tech;
• Attending meetings & training and submitting required paperwork on time.

Programmatic 

• Assist participants with completing college applications, financial aid applications, and scholarship applications;
• Inform students of the variety of opportunities available to further their education or skills for high-demand occupations;
• Recruit clients based on established recruitment plans;
• Help plan and facilitate workshops and events;
• Provide high impact advising services to inform participants of their next steps needed to pursue their education or career goals;
• Refer participants to other relevant services and resources in their communities;
• Complete an individualized education and career skills action plan for participants;
• Connect formerly incarcerated and currently incarcerated students with opportunities for postsecondary education;
• Connect adult learners to institutions with credit-based learning opportunities; 
• Provide intentional follow-up via text, email, and phone calls to participants served by the TRIO EOC programs to to support program retention and engagement;
• Organize program supplies for outreach, including technological equipment and publications;
• Support participant state ID/vital document recovery processes as needed.

Minimum Qualifications: Completion of post-secondary coursework in education, social work, or another related field, or a degree (Associate’s or higher) from an accredited institution; experience working with individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds; experience with college admissions and financial aid procedures; possession of a valid driver’s license and access to reliable personal transportation to travel between designated school sites.

Candidates must be adept in using technology, including Google Workspace, social media, learning management systems, and project management systems. The candidate should also possess the ability to work independently in a results-oriented environment. 

Preferred Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in education, social work, or another related field; experience working in high education; experience working with veterans; personal experience overcoming barriers similar to those confronting the project's target population; and experience working in TRIO Programs.

Travel Requirements: Candidates must be willing to travel regularly throughout DFW to develop partnerships, facilitate events, and meet with clients. There is also some overnight travel throughout the year for conferences.

Physical Demands: Must be able to lift and carry 40 lbs., to stand and walk for long periods, to endure intense heat and cold, to climb stairs, and to fly on an airplane. Must be able to project voice and speak publicly. Must be able to drive a vehicle, read road signs, judge distance, and spend extensive hours in front of a computer screen. Must be able to listen carefully to others on the telephone. 

Reports to: Program Director

Opportunity Resource Services is committed to a policy of providing employment opportunities to all qualified people regardless of economic or social status and will not discriminate based on race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, veteran status, or physical or mental disability.