College Access Advisor - Wichita GEAR

Department: Wichita GEAR UP South/West

Campus

Location:

Wichita, KS - Other Wichita Location

Hire Type: Full Time

Pay: Salary set at $40,000/yr

Work Schedule: Mon-Fri, 8:00am-5:00pm (regular evenings & weekends based on scheduled events but flexible)

Export Compliance Requirement: No export control requirement.

This position is designed for someone who believes that early, intentional intervention can change the trajectory of a student’s life and who’s ready to roll up their sleeves to make that happen. This role sits exactly where impact matters most: face-to-face with students who need guidance, consistency, and someone who won’t give up on them. Wichita GEAR UP is a program serving students in grades 6-12 and first year in college.

Multiple positions available at multiple school locations within Wichita.

• You’ll serve as a trusted advisor, mentor, and connector for students who need targeted support—not just encouragement, but a plan.
• Provide intensive 1:1 academic advising.
• Lead small and large group mentoring sessions.
• Deliver College Access Plan (CAP) components.
• Support entrance exam readiness.
• Act as a student advocate.
• Build strong partnerships with school administrators.
• Engage parents and guardians.
• Promote GEAR UP at school and community events.
• Track services and outcomes meticulously.

You’re a person who can have tough conversations with empathy but still keeps things moving forward. You know when to listen, how to document, and when to advocate.

• Strong communication skills across diverse audiences, from students to school leaders all the way to families.
• A natural respect for confidentiality and professional boundaries.
• The ability to build rapport quickly while maintaining structure and expectations.
• Cultural awareness and comfort working with students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds.
• A proactive, self-starter mindset—you don’t wait to be told what needs doing.
• Excellent organizational skills and follow-through (documentation is non-negotiable in grant-funded work).
• A preference for working directly with students in middle or high school settings.

Responsible for the enrollment, monitoring and/or advising of eligible participants. Establishes and maintains a positive and professional relationship with all referral agencies. Plans educational, career and life skills activities, completes the College Access Plan (CAP) on each student and coordinates with College Access Mentors or other partners to ensure services are provided.

Instructs program students in college access workshops to include college preparation, financial literacy and career awareness workshops. Provides post enrollment academic monitoring, mentoring and advising as needed. Ensures completion of required applications, surveys and supporting documents by completing all necessary documentation of activities, assisting with data entry and accuracy of student database and obtaining student school records, surveys and college enrollment information.

Shares participant outcome data and best practices with agencies as needed. May work closely with privatized foster care agencies and local schools in enrolling students in the program. May negotiate in-kind donations with partners to ensure grant matches. Reviews student records, identifies local community referral resources and conducts referrals for students. Determines and schedules assessments of student needs; may assist with financial aid coordination.

Reports student performance and adjustment needs. Tracks resource usage and aid adequacy as needed.

• Provide intensive, targeted 1:1 academic advising for students identified as high-priority (based on grades, attendance, and behavior), focusing on goal setting and barrier identification.
• Lead small and large group mentoring sessions to develop essential social-emotional learning, study skills, and self-advocacy.
• Deliver core components of the College Access Plan (CAP), guiding students through career exploration, financial aid awareness, and course planning aligned with postsecondary pathways.
• Advising about entrance exams &…