COLLEGE SUCCESS ADVISOR

Who We Are and What We Believe:

Founded in 1997, Bottom Line is a nationally recognized nonprofit organization with a mission to partner with degree-aspiring students of color from under-resourced communities as they get into college, graduate, and go far in life. We achieve this mission by providing one-on-one guidance during the college application process through college graduation and the successful launch of their careers.

Our vision is to dramatically transform urban communities by producing thousands of new career-ready college graduates.

When you join Bottom Line, you will find a rewarding, fast-paced, results-oriented environment. We build strong relationships with our students and with each other. We take our work seriously, and we know that a focus on data and metrics is integral to our continued success. Experts in our fields, we are driven by our mission and extremely proud of the work we do.

What You Will Do:

The primary focus of the College Success Advisor is to effectively serve a caseload of 75 – 80 college students at 2 to 3 college campuses using the Bottom Line DEAL (Degree, Employability, Affordability, Life Skills) model. The College Success Advisor provides one on-one academic, financial, personal, and career guidance, and tracks and records student progress in our database using both quantitative and qualitative data. Advisors are expected to build advising skills and learn the Bottom Line program model and expectations for supporting a caseload of students, with the goal of being ready for promotion to Senior Advisor after their first or second full year as an Advisor. Training and professional development in the Advisor role is focused on the Bottom Line curriculum and student services, as well as Bottom Line Foundations.

Please Note: This role does require frequent travel, with the Advisor’s caseload being a 50:50 split between universities in Boston and Western Mass (Worcester and Amherst specifically). Also, there is an expectation to be in our home office in Jamaica Plain, approximately 2-3 times/month.

Direct Student Support – 70%

• Follow Bottom Line’s structured curriculum (DEAL), which supports students in four areas: Degree, Employability, Affordability, and Life Skills, to help students progress towards specific goals/milestones
  • Coach students toward reaching DEAL Milestones, including, but not limited to: “Enroll in fall classes,” “Create a professional resume,” “Complete financial aid applications”
  • Conduct and document end-of-semester assessments for each student (twice annually)
  • Based on these assessments, create service plans for each student
• Maintain ongoing communication with all students on caseload
  • Lead 45-minute meetings for 18 - 21 students per week on campus
  • Meet with incoming first year students over the summer to ensure a smooth transition to their new campus
  • Send messages of encouragement, congratulatory cards, care packages, etc.
  • Respond to all student text/calls/emails within 2 business days
• Guide students through financial aid renewal process by appropriate deadlines
• Support students through career exploration, career planning, and career development, working collaboratively with Career Connections Team if applicable (in MA/NY)
  • Research relevant career information and resources to send to students
  • Identify students for specific Bottom Line partner internships and opportunities, and support students through the application process for these opportunities
  • Connect students with Bottom Line job coaching volunteers (“Go Far Volunteers”)
  • Market Career Connections opportunities and events (MA/NY)
• Help students resolve general obstacles that come up throughout the school year by coaching them on self-advocacy and resourcefulness skills, and communicating with school offices to advocate for students
• Refer students to appropriate resources when needed

Caseload & Data Management – 20%

• Track and record student progress, using both quantitative and qualitative measures
  • Enter data into the database within 3 business days of a student interaction or status change
  • Enter assessments and service plans twice annually
  • Maintain accurate student contact information in the student database
  • Enter and update data for students applying to Bottom Line and/or transitioning into the Success Program
• Manage a caseload of approximately 75 – 80 college students, including, but not limited to:
  • Schedule all student meetings on a weekly, or as needed, basis
  • Manage time and calendar to meet minimum meeting standards as outlined by KPIs
  • Support students who have become unenrolled or who have transferred out of a Bottom Line Success school

Secondary Responsibilities:

Program Support – 5%

• Support student recruitment for Access and Success Direct
• Attend Success Program Events, including Recognition Night, Send Off, Success Orientation, and career-related student workshops
  • Additional program support as assigned by Team Manager

Organizational Support – 5%

• Represent the Bottom Line brand in a positive light, and take actions to increase brand
• awareness throughout the community
• Support the Development and External Affairs team by attending events, networking with guests / supporters, and providing event logistics as needed

Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without advanced notice.

Work Schedule:

College Success Advisors work an 8.5 hour shift, including a daily ½ hour unpaid meal/rest break to comply with FLSA. Advisors are expected to be present during the following core hours. There may be times throughout the year when you may be expected to work additional hours and/or flex your schedule to meet the needs of our students.

Expected Travel:

50% -- Frequent campus travel (3 days per week) during the college semester. Commute to campus can be up to 3 hours roundtrip. Approx. 1/3 of advisors will be assigned to college campuses that require overnight stays every 3 weeks. This particular role will require regular travel between Western MA, Boston and our office in Jamaica Plain.

Who Should Apply:

If you meet the qualifications below, you should apply.

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree and work authorization
• 1 – 2 years of related work experience
• Experience developing trusting relationships with students, and coaching them toward goals
• Demonstrated commitment to Bottom Line’s Mission, Vision, and Core Values
• Demonstrated proficiency and/or growth potential in Bottom Line's core competencies: Relationships, Results, Communication, Inclusiveness, Talent Development, Agility, and Planning
• The ability to make a minimum of a two-year commitment
• Valid driver's license

Preferred:

• Fluency in a language other than English a plus
• Access to a car strongly preferred