12th Grade Scholar Advisor

Title: 12th Grade Scholar Advisor

Department: SEO Scholars Miami

Report to: Executive Director, SEO Scholars Miami

Compensation: $57,690 - $65,700

FLSA: Exempt

Employee Type: Full-Time, Regular

Location: Miami, FL

Work Arrangement: Hybrid - 3 days/week in the SEO office at 3401 N Miami Avenue, Miami, FL 33127

• This is a full-time, exempt position with a hybrid schedule requiring in-person work three days a week (including required Saturdays) and virtual work two days a week. The typical weekly schedule is as follows:
• Fall Term: Tuesday through Saturday (3x a month); Monday through Friday (1x month)
• Spring Term: Tuesday through Saturday (3x a month); Monday through Friday (1x month)
• Summer Term: Monday through Friday
• In-person attendance is required for all Community Day programming dates
• Two weeks of in-person attendance will be required during our College Application Bootcamp programming from mid to late July
• Work requires local travel beyond the office for Saturday programming at the following locations (subject to change):
• Miami Dade College Wolfson Campus

ABOUT SEO

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% of Scholars graduate with a Bachelor’s degree, and 80% are first-generation college graduates. All are welcome to apply.

POSITION OVERVIEW

SEO Scholars Miami seeks a passionate, student-centered, and highly organized 12th Grade Scholar Advisor to support our Scholars through one of the most critical stages of their educational journey: the transition from high school to college. This Advisor role will provide individualized advising, college access support, academic monitoring, family engagement, and social-emotional guidance to ensure Scholars successfully matriculate to and persist through postsecondary opportunities.

The ideal candidate is relationship-driven, equity-minded, detail-oriented, and deeply committed to supporting first-generation and underserved students through the college application and transition process, and ideally will have experience as a college counselor in a high school or college setting with financial aid and scholarship advising experience, and possess a strong belief that, through commitment and hard work, students can achieve their dreams of college acceptance, attendance, and completion.

College Advising & Access

• Create and foster an environment for all 12th grade Scholars that encourages intellectual curiosity, an inclusive, close-knit and supportive community, and a college-going culture
• Provide data-driven advising to all Scholars in the cohort via one-on-one, small group, and family meetings
• Guide all 12th grade Scholars through the development of their college applications, all associated essays, and the financial aid process following SEO’s college advising approach
• Coordinate guest speakers, alumni panels, and volunteer engagement opportunities
• Collaborate with 12th grade leaders at other SEO Scholars sites to connect Scholars to colleges and universities in other regions, as well as the College Scholars team
• Manage all college applications and matriculation decisions from start to completion, providing individualized support as needed and ensure 100% of applications are submitted on time
• Assist Scholars with FAFSA, financial aid, scholarships, and verification processes
• Support Scholars in evaluating financial aid packages and making informed college decisions
• Coordinate college transition and summer melt prevention efforts

Scholar Advising & Coaching Support

• Build strong relationships with Scholars through consistent one-on-one advising
• Foster and maintain a strong cohort culture grounded in accountability, belonging, and community
• Monitor academic progress, attendance, engagement, and overall Scholar well-being
• Support Scholars in goal setting, time management, self-advocacy, and leadership development
• Develop individualized support plans and interventions for Scholars needing additional support
• Design and deliver curriculum and workshops to 12th Grade Scholars including 12th grade Advisory classes during the Fall, Spring, and Summer
• Maintain accurate Scholar records, advising notes, and progress tracking systems
• Track application completion, FAFSA submission, college acceptances, scholarships, and enrollment outcomes; Ensure timely completion of documentation and compliance requirements
• Partner with writing instructors to support all associated college essays as well as all scholarship, enrichment program, and opportunity program applications
• Project an energetic, engaging, and approachable persona to promote students’ connection to the content, investment in learning, and positive relationships to all members of the community
• Work with 11th grade Scholar Advisor to transition Scholars effectively into 12th grade; Work with College Scholars team to successfully transition 12th grade Scholars to their College Persistence Advisors (CPAs) and CS team

Scholar & Family Engagement

• Collect, enter, and analyze all key data points for 12th grade
• Create, update, and manage all student-facing trackers, including the use of Salesforce
• Serve as a primary point of contact for families throughout the college application process
• Facilitate family meetings, workshops, and information sessions
• Communicate regularly with families regarding Scholar progress, deadlines, and college milestones
• Provide bilingual and culturally responsive support when appropriate
• Plan several key College Admissions related events throughout the school year including but not limited to Graduation, Mock admissions day, FAFSA day, and College Decision Day
• Create and send monthly Family Newsletters
• Deliver and support all 12th grade Family Workshops and assist in workshop content creation

School & Community Partnership Engagement

• Build and maintain relationships with related personnel from top colleges and universities in Florida and across the Southeast region; Support individual Scholar interests nationally by building connection with college/university admissions, as required to provide support
• Build and maintain relationships with school counselors/advisors, teachers, and community partners
• Advocate for Scholars within school settings when appropriate

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree; Master’s degree preferred
• 2+ years of experience in college access, youth development, high school counseling, advising, education, or related fields, with a focus on college-bound pathways and English; experience as a college counselor or advisor
• Strong knowledge of:
• College admissions processes
• FAFSA and financial aid systems
• Postsecondary pathways and scholarship opportunities
• Experience working with students in communities aligned with SEO’s mission and passion for preparing them to lead by example in their families, communities, and careers
• Strong organizational, communication, and relationship-building skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment

COMPETENCIES & SKILLS

• Knowledge of the Florida public college system and top ranked private colleges preferred
• Strong work ethic and positive attitude
• Demonstrated ability to execute on short-term, deadline-driven tasks, as well as important long-term projects requiring collaboration with internal and external constituencies
• Adept at building authentic relationships with students quickly
• Ability to conduct difficult conversations with Scholars and families to give honest, productive feedback
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a high level of professionalism
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and oral
• Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail
• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite and Google Suite
• Must be data driven. Knowledge of Excel and experience working with Salesforce (database) and Brightspace (LMS) are a plus
• Bilingual Spanish/English preferred; Haitian-Creole is a plus
• Ability to work a Tuesday through Saturday schedule from September to June and some evenings, as needed

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

SEO offers a competitive compensation package and comprehensive benefits plan including low-cost health, vision, and dental options, a generous holiday schedule and PTO policies, disability coverage, fully paid time off for new parents, and employer contributions to health reimbursement and retirement accounts. We are constantly working to improve our benefits each year based on the needs of our employees. We value wellness and strive to put people first and foremost.

The compensation listed in this posting reflects what SEO believes it will pay for this position at the time of this posting. Consistent with applicable law, compensation will be determined based on the skills, qualifications, and experience of the applicant along with the requirements of the position, and SEO reserves the right to modify this pay range at any time.

EEOC Policy

At SEO we are committed to cultivating a team that embodies the backgrounds and experiences of the constituencies we serve and the communities we live in, and a workplace that reflects the impact we make in the world. Candidates from all communities – including people of color, women, members of the LGBTQIA+ Community, veterans, and people with disabilities – are strongly encouraged to apply.

Equal Employment Opportunity is not just the law, it is our commitment.

Sponsors for Educational Opportunity is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer – M/F/D/V. We will consider all qualified applicants for employment regardless of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, parental status, genetic information or characteristics, or any other legally protected status.

If you need accommodation while applying for a role with SEO, due to a disability, please email SEO Talent.

Fingerprinting

This position requires successful completion of a Level 2 background screening through the Florida Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse, including fingerprinting, as a condition of employment. Applicants are encouraged to review background screening requirements, disqualifying offenses, and exemption information at the Florida Clearinghouse Education & Awareness site: https://info.flclearinghouse.com.

THE ORGANIZATION

Established in 1963 by Michael Osheowitz, SEO (Sponsors for Educational Opportunity) is an educational non-profit founded on the belief that talent is everywhere; but opportunity is not. Our programs are designed to educate, train, mentor, and amplify the voices of our participants to give them a seat at the table – every table. We propel human potential.

SEO is an innovator in education, mentorship, and creating educational career opportunities that maximize the full potential of our participants. Each year SEO serves 7,000+ participants nationally, and the organization is widely recognized for developing best-in-class programs with exceptional results.

Not every SEO participant is on the same journey, but all are hungry for opportunity and SEO creates an ecosystem of excellence. Learn more about SEO's programs here: https://www.seo-usa.org/our-programs/.