College and Career Readiness Advisor

Role Description

The College Advisor is a mission-aligned, student-centered leader who believes deeply in the potential of every scholar and is committed to helping them navigate the path to college with confidence, clarity, and purpose. This role is essential in supporting students as they explore, apply to, and enroll in postsecondary opportunities, while building a strong college-going culture across the school community.

Rooted in HFCA’s mission to send scholars to and through college, the College Advisor provides proactive  and individualized guidance, leads group workshops, and engages families to ensure that every scholar is equipped with the tools, resources, and support needed for postsecondary success. The ideal candidate is highly organized, knowledgeable about college access and admissions, an effective communicator, and deeply passionate about helping students achieve their academic and career goals.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Advising
• Build relationships with scholars by managing a caseload, meeting individually with each student on a monthly basis to engage in college and career exploration and complete their graduation plan. 
• Create and execute a college & career family engagement plan related to key deliverables.
• Program Development and Collaboration
• Design and facilitate a curriculum focused on college exploration and college readiness topics specific to college enrollment, such as; college affordability, campus resources, etc…
• Plan, organize and chaperone college campus visits and information sessions to expose students to a variety of post-secondary options.
• Maintain strong relationships with college admissions representatives and scholarship representatives to stay informed about trends and admissions requirements.
• College Application Assistance:
• Provide guided support for students in navigating the college application process, including developing appropriate College Wish Lists, completing applications, and submitting supporting application documents in a timely manner
• Review and provide feedback on personal statements, resumes, and other application materials.
• Serve as an advocate for students as they collect Letters of Recommendation from their teachers
• Financial Aid and Scholarships:
• Guide students and families through the financial aid application process, including FAFSA completion and scholarship applications
• Target students eligible for specific scholarship programs (All in Milwaukee, Marquette EOP) and guide them through the application process

In addition to these responsibilities, College Advisors will also execute on any other assignments as delegated

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Counseling, Higher Education, Social Work, or a related field
• Minimum of 2–3 years of experience in college access, academic advising, or a similar student-facing role
• Experience working in a K-12 setting
• Deep understanding of the college admissions process, including applications, financial aid (FAFSA), scholarships, and enrollment
• Demonstrated ability to build strong relationships with students, families, and school staff
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to provide meaningful feedback on student essays and materials
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines, events, and systems simultaneously
• Commitment to educational equity and to supporting first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented students
• Flexibility to work occasional evenings for district-wide events. 
• Proficient in Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides), student databases, and college access platforms (e.g., Overgrad, Naviance, Common App)