Access Coach (tnAchieves College Access Coach)

tnAchieves; Knoxville (TN); Hybrid; USD 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

401K match

Financial advising services

Job summary

tnAchieves is seeking an Access Coach based in Knoxville, Tennessee. This role involves working closely with high school students to assist them as they transition to higher education. The Access Coach will help students navigate college milestones such as FAFSA completion and the admissions process.

With a starting salary of $50,000, the position offers a total compensation package of $65,000, including health insurance, paid time off, and a 401K match. Join a mission-driven team making a significant impact on student success!

Qualifications

• Strong communication skills for interacting with students and parents.
• Abilities to analyze problems and approach them solutions-oriented.
• Willingness to learn new skills and travel regionally.

Responsibilities

• Communicates daily with students and parents.
• Coordinates FAFSA and TN Promise application days.
• Builds relationships with high school counselors and staff.

Skills

Communication skills

Problem-solving skills

Proactivity

Positivity

Tools

Microsoft Outlook Suite

Salesforce

Job description

tnAchieves is dedicated to enhancing post‑secondary opportunities and outcomes by providing holistic student supports rooted in community and accountability. The organization works at scale, serving more than 85,000 students annually through college access and success initiatives. Our team is part of micro and macro change; the work is technical, and metrics driven resulting in life‑changing outcomes for students and positive workforce development for the state of TN. tnAchieves has supported over 50,000 students to a degree/credential and into the workforce.

About the Role:

tnAchieves Access coaches make their dent in the universe by showing up every day for students. More tangibly, this service‑driven position proactively works with students as they transition from high school to institutions of higher education. They ensure students complete critical college milestones like filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and working through the admissions process. They are part of a cohort of coaches and a larger team dedicated to closing equity gaps plaguing the education pipeline. This means thinking creatively and working intentionally to connect with students who are at risk to level the playing field to a college credential.

Equally important is the opportunity for continuous learning and professional development as part of a mission‑driven team. tnAchieves invests in each team member to identify and foster skillsets that will serve individuals throughout their careers. The organization is intentional about creating a strong culture of shared values. This contributes to a talent pipeline for growth opportunities as the organization evolves to expand its impact.

tnAchieves offers a competitive hiring package, complete with generous paid time off, a hybrid work schedule, opportunities for growth and a full benefits package.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Communicates daily with students and parents
• Coordinate and attend FAFSA and TN Promise application days at each assigned high school
• Prepares high school student meeting materials and execute assigned mandatory meetings for TN Promise
• Build solid relationships with counselors, administrators, and staff at high schools
• Serve as public advocate for program and raise awareness with community at large
• Maintains student database including, but not limited to, community service verification, student meeting attendance, intervention, connection and grant documentation and processing student excuse forms and ineligibility arguments
• Assists with planning, application processing and administering tnAchieves Summer Programs
• Develop relationships with key post‑secondary partners to gain knowledge of post‑secondary processes and student resources
• Attends individual and team meetings as scheduled by direct supervisor and leadership

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Consistently practices positivity and adaptability
• Identifies and analyzes problems through a solutions‑oriented lens
• Embraces learning new skills and asks questions to gain full understanding
• Communicates proactively and effectively
• Takes initiative and is prepared
• Willingness to travel regionally on a weekly basis
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Outlook Suite and Salesforce

ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Number of applicants/percentage from high school
• Number of applicants who FAFSA file
• Percentage of students who complete a college application
• Percentage of applicants who enter college (both community college and other)
• Percentage of students completing community service requirements
• Number of students connected with weekly
• Practices prompt and accurate internal and external correspondence

Starting base salary is $50,000 with full compensation package* totaling $65,000.

*This compensation package includes: employer‑covered health insurance , employer‑paid life insurance, paid holiday time, PTO, an employer 401K match, and financial advising services.