Graduation Candidate Advocate

Acceleration Academies • North Charleston, SC

8d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Graduation Candidate Advocate is at the heart of our mission, building meaningful relationships with students to support their journey toward earning their high school diploma. Graduation Candidate Advocates act as mentors and advocates, providing both academic and non-academic support while fostering an environment where students feel valued and empowered. This role is highly relationship-driven and persistence-focused, requiring consistent outreach, problem-solving, and a commitment to understanding and removing barriers that prevent students from attending and progressing. This role is ideal for recent graduates or early-career professionals looking to build experience in education, student support, or case management.

Requirements

• Associate degree preferred, but equivalent experience in education, youth mentorship, or case management will be considered.
• 0-2 years of relevant experience in educational support, case management, or working with at-risk youth.
• Strong relationship-building, excellent communication, adaptability, and the ability to work collaboratively in a dynamic environment.
• A genuine commitment to supporting students who have disengaged from traditional schooling and a drive to help them succeed.
• Proficiency with learning management systems and educational technology tools.
• Consistent, reliable attendance during scheduled work hours
• On-site presence (for roles designated as in-person/onsite)
• Management of assigned workload and productivity expectations
• Ability to perform job functions in an open, student-centered workspace

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual skills (Spanish preferred!)
• Experience in non-traditional educational settings.
• Comfort with project-based and competency-based learning approaches.

Responsibilities

• Assist with the registration and enrollment process for new students.
• Provide comprehensive support during student orientation to set the stage for success.
• Act as a case manager for a designated cohort of students, monitoring and documenting regular attendance.
• Implement the Acceleration Academy Retention Protocol through proactive outreach (e.g., texts, calls, home visits).
• Utilize technology tools for efficient daily monitoring and maintenance of student attendance and retention records.
• Contribute to canvassing and recruitment efforts to attract new students.
• Deliver one-on-one academic support and interventions to facilitate student learning and complement the work of center professionals.
• Collaborate closely with the student support team to track learning pathways, monitor behavior, and implement transition plans, including incentive programs to bolster student achievement.
• Utilize the Learning Management System and other technology resources to monitor and facilitate student progress and maintain up-to-date academic records, including attendance.
• Engage in professional development activities to enhance academic support practices.
• Advocate for students by assisting in identifying solutions and connecting them to academy staff for academic and non-academic support.
• Provide daily operational support for the academy, such as answering phones and maintaining student records.
• Participate actively in academy meetings and school or community events.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the overall mission of the academy.

Benefits

• Competitive Compensation: Starting at $22.50 an hour
• 401(k) plan with up to a 4% company match
• Medical, Dental, Vision, FSA, Company Paid Life Insurance, Supplemental Life Insurance, Disability Insurance, Hospital Indemnity, Critical Illness, and Accident insurance options
• Flexible Paid Time Off
• Employer-paid financial wellness programs
• Access to mental health resources
• Employee Referral Incentives
• Certification reimbursement programs
• Performance-based bonuses

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree