College Persistence Advisor

Report to: Assistant Director, College Persistence & Advising

Compensation: $66,300 - $73,000

FLSA: Exempt

Employee Type: Full-Time, Regular

Location: New York, NY

Work Arrangement: Hybrid - 3 days/week in the SEO office at 55 Exchange Place, New York, NY 10005

Founded in 1963 during the Civil Rights Movement, SEO closes educational and career opportunity gaps for 7,000 ambitious young people annually.

SEO Scholars is a free, eight‑year, academic program that transforms public high school students in New York City, San Francisco, North Carolina, and Miami into college graduates. SEO Scholars successfully educates and mentors students to and through college. 100% of Scholars are accepted into four‑year colleges, 85% graduate with a Bachelor’s degree, and 80% are first‑generation college graduates. All are welcome to apply.

College Persistence Advisors (CPAs) adhere to the College Scholars advising model, working directly in support of College Scholars’ success in college. CPAs support Scholars in three general buckets of support: personal, academic, and career. CPAs build relationships and tailor support to each Scholar’s needs, and lead or support program‑wide workshops and programming. In addition to direct student work, CPAs manage documentation of advising sessions, outreach records, data analysis, and trends across school clusters.

• Manage and engage a cohort of ~70 Scholars remotely and in person, ensuring equitable support for each student.
• Advise Scholars on college preparedness, academic support, personal development, and career planning throughout their college tenure.
• Provide case‑management services for Scholars needing assistance with basic needs.
• Apply the College Scholars Advising model, using intentional skills and tools that uphold our advising pillars.
• Reinforce relationships between Scholars’ instructional programs and desired career paths.
• Assess Scholars’ well‑being and safety as needed.
• Foster rapport with students through consistent, non‑judgmental communication and proactive support identification.
• Maintain student confidentiality.

• Advocate for students with universities and other stakeholders.
• Maintain, collect, and report student data such as degree audits, transcripts, and financial aid completion for reporting, research, and effectiveness purposes.
• Assess engagement of the assigned cohort and implement outreach and re‑engagement strategies as needed.
• Document case notes promptly and accurately into Salesforce.
• Utilize Salesforce to aid in delivery and reporting of advising services.
• Participate in professional development and coaching for continued growth.
• Contribute to a safe educational environment by completing all required training and being prepared to act.
• Facilitate and co‑facilitate programming workshops aimed at increasing student success in college and the high‑school‑to‑college transition.
• Support program initiatives that contribute to College Scholar success, typically in the second year.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Master’s degree required, preferably in Social Work, Counseling, School Counseling, School Psychology, or related field from an accredited university.
• 2‑3 years graduate‑school field placement or work experience in education or a related field.
• Prior experience working with high‑school and college students is required.

• Demonstrated passion for closing opportunity gaps and driving student achievement.
• Understanding of the unique needs of first‑generation and low‑income students.
• Highly detail‑oriented and organized, able to meet competing deadlines.
• Exceptional communication skills—verbal, written, interpersonal, phone, and in‑person.
• Self‑starter who works independently and collaboratively, with a growth mindset and willingness to take initiative.
• Ability to delegate tasks.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Google Drive, and data‑management systems such as Salesforce.
• Spanish speaking strongly preferred.

SEO offers a competitive compensation package and comprehensive benefits plan, including low‑cost health, vision, and dental…