EOC Part-Time College Access Advisor (Tarrant County)

Opportunity Resource Services•Fort Worth, TX

6d•$18 - $20•Hybrid

About The Position

The College Access Advisor recruits eligible participants and conducts outreach throughout the target area. The advisor helps participants create educational plans and complete college, financial aid, and scholarship applications, and plans and develops educational events and materials. As part of the TRIO EOC team, the advisor helps recruit and serve at least 950 clients annually, at least two-thirds of whom are first-generation and low-income, and supports the Assistant Director in meeting project objectives. The role serves people from a wide range of backgrounds, including former foster youth, unemployed or underemployed adults, formerly incarcerated individuals, high school students, people experiencing homelessness, veterans, and adults of all ages. Advising may take place on virtual meeting platforms, in person, or over the phone. The position requires a flexible schedule and work at various partner locations. It is part-time, 25 hours per week, generally between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, with occasional evenings or weekends required. This is a hybrid position with work locations throughout Tarrant County, including community partner locations, partner schools, agencies, and area correctional facilities. Occasional mandatory training takes place at the central ORS office in Cleburne. The advisor manages a caseload of roughly 250 EOC clients, maintains accurate participant records and database information, handles office communications and program paperwork, and organizes outreach supplies. Program services include high-impact advising, referrals to community resources, individualized education and career skills action plans, connecting incarcerated and formerly incarcerated students with postsecondary opportunities, and connecting adult learners with credit-based learning opportunities. The advisor also follows up with participants by text, email, and phone to support retention and engagement. Regular travel throughout the Dallas–Fort Worth area is required to develop partnerships, facilitate events, and meet with clients. Some overnight conference travel is required during the year. The position reports to the Program Assistant Director.

Requirements

Completion of post-secondary coursework in education, social work, or a related field, or an associate degree or higher from an accredited institution.
Experience working with individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Experience with college admissions and financial aid procedures.
Valid driver’s license and access to reliable personal transportation for travel between designated school sites.
Adeptness with technology, including Google Workspace, social media, learning management systems, and project management systems.
Ability to work independently in a results-oriented environment.
Excellent customer service skills, innovative problem-solving, passion for education and community service, and knowledge of barriers low-income students may face when enrolling in postsecondary education.
Comfort working with people from varied backgrounds and willingness to meet clients virtually, in person, and over the phone.
Ability to work a flexible schedule and at various partner locations.
Willingness to travel regularly throughout DFW and undertake some overnight travel for conferences.
Ability to lift and carry 40 pounds; stand and walk for long periods; tolerate intense heat and cold; climb stairs; and fly on an airplane.
Ability to project one’s voice and speak publicly; drive a vehicle, read road signs, and judge distance; spend extensive hours in front of a computer screen; and listen carefully to people on the telephone.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in education, social work, or a related field.
Experience working in higher education.
Experience working with veterans.
Personal experience overcoming barriers similar to those faced by the project’s target population.
Experience working in TRIO Programs.

Responsibilities

Manage a caseload of roughly 250 EOC clients.
Recruit eligible clients according to established recruitment plans and conduct outreach in the target area.
Assist participants with college, financial aid, and scholarship applications.
Help participants create educational plans and individualized education and career skills action plans.
Inform participants about opportunities to further their education or develop skills for high-demand occupations.
Provide high-impact advising on next steps toward participants’ education or career goals.
Plan and facilitate workshops and events, and help develop educational materials.
Refer participants to relevant services and resources in their communities.
Connect formerly incarcerated and currently incarcerated students with postsecondary education opportunities.
Connect adult learners with institutions offering credit-based learning opportunities.
Follow up with participants by text, email, and phone to support retention and engagement.
Maintain accurate participant records, electronic files, and student database data.
Answer office phone calls and monitor office text messages and emails, routing inquiries or ensuring they receive responses.
Complete intake and contact forms, time and effort reports, required paperwork, meetings, and training on time.
Organize technological equipment, publications, and other supplies for outreach.
Help maintain partnerships with community stakeholders, community partners, and program clients.
Ensure programming, publications, and part-time team members reflect positively on the organization.
Travel throughout DFW to develop partnerships, facilitate events, and meet with clients; undertake occasional overnight conference travel.