College Access Counselor (26-27 School Year)

Invictus Academy of Richmond•El Cerrito, CA

5d•$65,097 - $100,410•Onsite

About The Position

Invictus Academy is an independent public charter school located in El Cerrito and we are seeking a College Access Counselor to join our team who believes deeply that the mission, model, and values at Invictus are driving improved educational outcomes for students. The College Access Counselor is a visionary, equity-driven leader responsible for designing, implementing, and leading a comprehensive college and career readiness program that supports all Invictus students in achieving postsecondary success. This individual will build and sustain a college-going culture across the school, ensuring that every student has access to the guidance, resources, and opportunities needed to pursue college, career, and life goals with confidence and clarity. Collaborating closely with school leaders, teachers, families, and external partners, the College Access Counselor will lead strategic planning, data-driven advising systems, and programming that prepare students for college application, admission, financial aid, and matriculation. The ideal candidate brings a deep understanding of the barriers first-generation students may face, along with a demonstrated commitment to culturally responsive, student-centered advising. We are seeking exceptional individuals to execute the following essential job functions and professional responsibilities:

Requirements

Earned Bachelor’s Degree.
Pass a Criminal Background Check through the Department of Justice.
Obtain a negative TB reading prior to starting employment.
Bilingual in Spanish.

Nice To Haves

Deep commitment to educational equity and a strong belief in the potential of all students, particularly first-generation college students and those from historically underserved communities
Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in education, counseling, or a related field strongly preferred
Pupil Personnel Services Credential, strongly preferred
5+ years of experience in college access, academic advising, college counseling, or related roles, with a track record of increasing postsecondary outcomes for students
Demonstrated success supporting students through the entire college process, including application strategy, FAFSA/CADAA, scholarship search, and matriculation
Deep understanding of college admissions trends, financial aid systems, and the unique needs of first-generation college-bound students
Experience building college-going culture in K–12 settings, ideally in a charter or urban public school
Strong data analysis skills with the ability to track progress, identify trends, and drive program improvements based on outcomes
Exceptional relationship-building skills with students, families, staff, and external partners, including colleges, universities, and scholarship organizations
Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to design and execute school-wide events (college fairs, application drives, etc.)
Experience designing or leading workshops and presentations for diverse audiences
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative, and mission-driven school environment

Responsibilities

Develop and disseminate college knowledge resources, including originally designed lessons, at regularly scheduled intervals during the school year
Plan, organize, and coordinate college visits for students
Calendar, plan, and coordinate college access programming with students and families
Provide grade-appropriate college awareness resources and programming for students and families
Provide grade-appropriate college-track information and action plans for families in grades 7-12 for distribution at biannual Family Conferences
Collaborate with school leadership to earn WASC accreditation and Charter Renewal
Support and monitor student course credits to ensure all students are on track to meet Invictus graduation requirements
Lead and plan events relating to graduation, Senior Decision Night, Financial Aid & College Awareness, College Acceptance Night, the senior trip, Senior Week, and other events relating to the graduating class.
Lead college readiness and graduation rate data collection and analysis
Provide individual student and family consultation regarding the college application, admissions, and financial aid process
Support student access to after school and summer enrichment opportunities
Develop trusting, authentic relationships with students, their families, and staff
Support continuous growth of school program through identifying school-wide challenges and working towards solutions
Give and receive honest and direct feedback to improve your practice, that of your peers, and school leaders
Create and maintain open, honest, and respectful lines of communication with all stakeholders
Actively supervise students during transitions such as arrival, bathroom, homeroom, passing periods, lunch, and dismissal.
Attend and participate in assigned school-wide events including Back to School Night, Parent/Teacher conferences, End of the Year events, Grade Level Meetings, Department Meetings, Summer Professional Development, weekly Professional Development during the school year, and other assigned meetings.
Demonstrate proficient use of technology to communicate with staff, families, and community members using multiple school-based platforms.
Utilize Educational Technology platforms for curriculum development and planning.
Other duties as assigned by the Principal or an administrator.
Demonstrate regular and consistent attendance in order to perform essential functions of the role.
Collaborate with staff and leadership to continuously improve practices and address student needs effectively.
Foster open and respectful communication, offering and receiving constructive feedback to enhance personal and team performance.
Set and hold high expectations for academics and behavior.
Develop trusting, authentic relationships with students and their families.
Create and maintain a joyful, safe, structured, and engaging school and classroom culture.
Demonstrate passion for the content area you coach.
Encourage students to take risks and learn from their mistakes and create opportunities for students to leverage the power of their voice.
Supervise and engage with students in-person to ensure student safety and learning.
Uphold and model core values, including purpose, perseverance, productivity, growth mindset, integrity, leadership, joy, gratitude, mindfulness, and kindness.
Perform any other reasonable duties or responsibilities as assigned by your supervisor.
Participate in the performance evaluation process, which is based on adherence to the outlined responsibilities and qualifications.