College Advisor

Lutheran Social Services of Southern California; California (MO); On-site; USD 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A non-profit social service agency in California is seeking a dedicated individual to support its Talent Search program. Responsibilities include assisting disadvantaged students with college and financial aid applications, tracking academic progress, and maintaining participant records. A minimum of one year of undergraduate coursework in a relevant field is required. The ideal candidate should possess strong communication and organizational skills, demonstrate flexibility, and have a commitment to serving the community. Opportunities for professional growth and a collaborative work environment are offered.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act.
• Ability to handle confidential records and materials.
• Basic phone and computer skills.

Responsibilities

• Assist Talent Search participants and staff under supervision.
• Help students complete College and Financial Aid applications.
• Maintain records of participant progress and attendance.

Skills

Oral communication

Written communication

Organizational skills

Detail orientation

Computer skills

Education

One year of undergraduate coursework in related field

Job description

Description

Lutheran Social Services of Southern California began in December 1944 when a group of Lutheran congregations in San Diego came together to discuss how to better assist families in need. They began discussing how to form a Welfare Commission. Their vision expanded when they came together with another group of Lutheran congregations in Los Angeles having the very same conversation. Lutheran Social Services of Southern California was officially incorporated in 1946 as a 501(c)(3) non‑profit social service agency. The mission has stayed true to its earliest beginnings, to be a servant to those in need. Today LSSSC serves thousands of individuals and families throughout Southern California with over 45 programs/services at 18 locations. We are part of the Lutheran Services in America (LSA) network and strive to serve those in need with dignity and respect.

Lutheran Social Services of Southern California’s Mission: Ignited by faith, we live out God’s love by embracing, equipping, and empowering vulnerable individuals, families and communities toward self‑sufficiency.

The Talent Search program identifies and assists individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds who have the potential to succeed in higher education. The program provides academic, career, and financial counseling to its participants and encourages them to graduate from high school and continue to complete their postsecondary education. The program publicizes the availability of financial aid and assists participants with the postsecondary application process. Talent Search also encourages persons who have not completed education programs at the secondary or postsecondary level to enter or reenter and complete postsecondary education. The goal of Talent Search is to increase the number of youths from disadvantaged backgrounds who complete high school and enroll in and complete their postsecondary education.

Requirements

• Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Knowledge of the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act and the ability to handle and work with confidential records and materials of minors.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Planning and Implementation

• Under the direct supervision of the Talent Search Director and Site Coordinator assist Talent Search participants and staff.
• Assist Talent Search students in completing College and Financial Aid (FAFSA) applications.
• Assist Talent Search students in completing scholarship applications.
• Responsible for follow‑up with students; these contacts will be in‑person and/or virtual.
• Assist Talent Search Coordinators in tracking students’ academic progress.
• Assist Talent Search Coordinators in updating social media program accounts.
• Skills to organize work effectively to achieve timely progress on multiple projects, distribute appropriate effort among the projects, meet deadlines and maintain a high level of productivity and attention to detail.
• Other duties as assigned.

Record Keeping

• Maintains a record of the participant’s progress and attendance.
• Submits reports and evaluations as necessary to Talent Search staff.
• All record‑keeping materials will be provided by program staff.

Education/Experience

• Minimum of one year of undergraduate coursework from an accredited institution of higher education in Mathematics, Science, Literature, Composition, Foreign Language or a related field of study; or meets the equivalent qualifications as established by the agency’s personnel procedures.

General Qualifications

• Willingness to be open to learning and growing.
• Maturity of judgment and behavior.
• Maintains high standards for work areas and appearance.
• Attends work and shows up for scheduled shift on time with satisfactory regularity considering LSSSC time and attendance policy and/or client operating hours.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule.
• Must comply with any dress code requirements.
• Must be able to work nights, weekends, and some holidays.
• Must be legally authorized to work in country of employment without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H1B status).
• Ability to work effectively with low‑income and first‑generation students in need of academic assistance, their families, and high school and university personnel; personal experience in overcoming barriers like those of the students served by the project.

Skills/Aptitude

• Ability to present self in a highly professional manner to others and understand that honesty and ethics are essential.
• Ability to maintain a positive attitude.
• Must have basic phone and computer skills (email, texting, etc.).
• Good attention to detail.
• Ability to work well under pressure.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent management and organizational skills.
• Ability to work well alone and in a team.
• Knowledge of and proficiency in all OSHA and local requirements related to all assigned work.

Supervisory Responsibilities: This job has no supervisory responsibilities of staff.

Certificates and Licenses: A valid driver’s license is required.

Competency: To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Oral Communication: Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions.
• Written Communication: Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information.
• Adaptability: Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation.
• Safety and Security: Observes safety and security procedures; Determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials properly.
• Language Ability: Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Math Ability: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Reasoning Ability: Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
• Computer Skills: To perform this job successfully, an individual should be proficient in word processing software.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Managers of volunteers work in an office environment, but monitoring the activities of volunteers may sometimes require working in a non‑standard workplace.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to reach, bend, stoop, push and/or pull, and frequently lift up to 35 pounds and occasionally lift/move 40 pounds.
• Working Conditions (may add additional conditions specific to defined work location); Generally, in an indoor setting, however, may participate in outside activities and events.
• Varying schedule to include evenings, holidays, weekends, and extended hours as business dictates.