College Bound
College Bound’s Possibility Specialist is an integral part of our college completion team, tasked with expanding our student’s sense of future possibilities through ongoing discovery about their interests, values, and strengths while developing within each a comprehensive approach that will ultimately lead them to college and career success. The person in this role will use developmental experiences, science-based assessment tools, small group workshops, and one on one coaching to educate students on college and career options and help them explore their potential strengths and interests. A successful specialist will demonstrably facilitate prepared, professional, confident, and capable college graduates who attain post-graduate employment or further education which reasonably translates to a financially secure future. A strong understanding of vocational counseling, higher education, and youth development are necessary to be considered for this position.
This role is slated to support students approaching the end of their college career as they prepare to transition into the workforce and adulthood. Occasional daytime and overnight travel is expected, as well as afternoon and evening staffing of programming. Coordination with external stakeholders and community network partners is necessary to expand students’ social capital and develop College Bound’s capacity to meet the various needs of students. Students may or may not be local and staff are expected to adopt communication methods that best meet student needs including virtual calls, phone communication, and commuting to their campuses, when appropriate.
Interested applicants should submit their resume and cover letter to the Director of Program Achievement, Mariah Opager, by email:
Please include “Possibility Specialist” in the subject line.
Primary Responsibilities:
Manage a caseload of 25-35 students, meeting with each 1-4 times monthly depending on student need.
Develop strong relationships with students characterized by trust and openness to feedback
Orient students to College Bound program, ensuring they understand the purpose and value of the program and what is expected of them in the process
Execute College Bound college and career programming, individualized to the needs of the particular students assigned
Conduct assessment processes that will develop understanding of student’s interests, strengths, values, and future orientation
Create individualized intervention approaches that will strengthen student’s self-understanding, future motivation, and planning ability
Connect students to community events that will increase their career knowledge
Develop processes that will enhance student’s network of support, particularly in the area of careers
Coordinate College Bound events focused on personal development, networking, and career understanding
Identify risk factors to future success and work collaboratively with manager, team and family members towards resolution
Stay connected with student’s parent or guardian to foster their ability to support student goal achievement
Help maintain an environment at College Bound that fosters an excitement about future potential and an openness to using collaborative processes to achieve goals
Advise students on the steps to build a strong career resume, particularly ensuring that their college activities and achievements are compatible with future success
Consult with team members in identifying students who may need additional support in the area of academics, mental health, or personal wellness
Internally and externally advocate that each student on the caseload is provided the academic, social, structural, and mental health support needed to successfully matriculate to college, complete a degree, and move into a career
As needed, follow up and stay in communication with other key supports involved with the students, such as tutors, college advisiors, professors, and mental health providers
Develop collaborative and comprehensive plans with student and their families focused on personal development, complete with goals, objectives, and plans of action articulating a clear pathway to achievement
Educate students and families about college and career possibilities
In a timely and thorough manner, monitor and document progress of students towards expected outcomes, paying particular attention to risk factors, college preparation, career interests, and student’s motivation and confidence about achieving future goals that are meaningful to them
Maintain a high level of expertise and awareness about developmental opportunities in the community and research related to college success and career development
Organizational Development and Continuous Improvement
Participate in meetings within their department to promote a culture of feedback and continuous improvement with respect to shared responsibility for student outcomes
Cultivate and model a strong student outcomes-focused habit of work and help identify areas of growth in our programmatic response
Identify and/or design potential professional development opportunities and training to foster continued growth in the skill sets and knowledge needed to serve students better
Prepare case summaries, build CoPilot reports, and regularly reflect on the outcomes and efficacy of our approach
Other Responsibilities
Support cohort events throughout the year to promote community engagement, cohort cohesion and student affinity with College Bound
Assist with maintaining and updating cohort website and social media (The website is used to house cohort announcements, seminar material, and student work products)
Additional duties and special projects as assigned
Skills and Experience:
Bachelor’s degree in a related field required (education, social work, nonprofit administration, psychology, counseling, etc.)
A minimum of 3 years of experience working with youth required. Prefer a minimum of two years of experience in a nonprofit setting
Strong ability to connect with students in a diverse setting
Passion for engaging in the difficult and complex tasks required to create change on the community and individual level
Need a strong self-starter who can think creatively and critically about meeting the diverse needs of their caseload
Adaptable, possesses a high tolerance for ambiguity, and thrives in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment
Effective and professional communicator who can establish credibility and rapport with partners, students, families, and staff
Computer proficient; experience using a database to manage student information is a plus
Benefits, Compensation and Working Environment:
Competitive benefits include a portion of paid employee health insurance, a health reimbursement account, dental, short-term disability, life insurance, 401K matching, paid parental leave for all and free vision insurance
Play a vital role in an organization that is privileged to work with hundreds of intelligent and deserving young people every day
Flexible working environment – Fridays are typically remote workdays
Position requires regular travel, including evenings and weekends
Mileage reimbursement for work-related travel and ability to modify schedule to accommodate activities conducted outside of business hours
College Bound provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation (real or perceived). In addition to federal law requirements, College Bound complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
