AmeriCorps Academic and College Planning Advisor

Breakthrough Silicon Valley • San Jose, CA

1d • $30,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Breakthrough Silicon Valley (BTSV) is dedicated to launching talented students who have lacked access to higher education on the path to college and inspiring high school and college students to become the next generation of leaders, advocates, and educators. BTSV's seven-year college access and success program has a proven track record, with 99% of its graduates attending college immediately after high school. The tuition-free program offers year-round out-of-school academic support, counseling, and advocacy for students from underserved communities who will be the first in their families to attend college. Through a students-teaching-students model, BTSV also provides professional development for high school and college students, enabling them to expand access to educational opportunities, design and teach classes, and learn about the K-12 system. BTSV is an affiliate of The Breakthrough Collaborative, a national service organization with 25 sites across the country.

Requirements

• Commitment to community service and ability to serve the complete program year: a service term of 1,700+ hours from September 8, 2026, to August 6, 2027.
• Bachelor’s degree or enrolled in college pursuing your degree.
• US citizen, US national, or lawful permanent resident of the United States.
• Candidates 18 years of age or older must pass a National Service Criminal History Check.
• Access to reliable transportation to program offices and summer program sites.
• Evening availability and occasional weekend service are required.

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual proficiency in Spanish or Vietnamese is a plus.
• A team-first mindset and ability to work closely with fellow AmeriCorps members, program staff, and school-based partners.
• A collaborative team player committed to excellence and open to growth.
• Ability to think creatively, solve problems with humility and humor, and bring genuine passion for BTSV's mission.

Responsibilities

• Build supportive relationships with approximately 30 students in grades 7-12.
• Provide coaching on academic and non-academic pursuits, supporting students in setting goals and creating plans to achieve them.
• Monitor students’ grades throughout the semester and connect them with tutoring resources or advise on course recovery options as needed.
• Support after school and occasional weekend sessions, including workshops, college field trips, and high school transitions.
• Transition to supporting BTSV’s summer programming as a Summer Activities Lead (SAL) or Summer Advisor, focusing on building culture, community, and planning special events.
• Support evening and occasional weekend workshops on topics such as professional skills, career and major exploration, and college research.
• Guide students through the college access journey by monitoring grades and test scores, encouraging community involvement, and helping them explore career interests.
• Encourage students to utilize their summers for leadership development and broadening horizons through work, enrichment camps, academic study, or volunteerism.
• Support students in applying to a broad range of best-fit colleges and guide them through the enrollment process.
• Support 11th–12th grade students through 1-on-1 or group-based advising, grade tracking, and preparation for a two-week college camp during the summer.

Benefits

• $30,000 living allowance (pre-tax) paid semi-monthly over the 11-month service term
• Health insurance, if needed
• Eligibility for food supplement programs, like SNAP/CalFresh
• $10,000 education award via the AmeriCorps Segal Education Award and the California for All Education Award upon completion of service
• Potential eligibility for student loan forbearance

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees