College & Career Advisor, Access Programs & Services (Adult Learning)

College-Now-Greater-Cleveland; Cleveland (OH); Hybrid; USD 43,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

College Now Greater Cleveland in Cleveland, OH is seeking a College & Career Advisor (Adult Learning) to help adult learners pursue postsecondary education and financing options. Services are offered in community settings and at the College Now Resource Center, with travel to Lorain/Elyria, Cleveland, and Akron.

The role involves guiding students through certificates, credentials, loans, and financial aid while maintaining records and collaborating with colleges and partners.

Qualifications

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual and group advising on education, career, and workforce goals.
• Help adult learners identify postsecondary pathways that fit their goals and circumstances.
• Identify and help address barriers to enrollment and persistence.
• Guide learners through certificates, credentials, apprenticeships, two-year and four-year options.
• Assist with applications, enrollment steps, transcript requests, and financial aid requirements.
• Support completion of FAFSA and other financial aid requirements.
• Refer learners to College Now scholarships and other resources.
• Maintain documentation and confidentiality.

Skills

Communication

Independence

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree

Counseling certificate

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job DetailsJob Location: College Now - Cleveland, OH 44113Position Type: Full TimeEducation Level: Bachelor's degree preferredAn established leader in the Northeast Ohio civic landscape, College Now has been changing the lives of students in our region since 1967. We do this by providing college and career access advising, financial aid counseling, and scholarship and retention services to students from middle school through adulthood. An individual filling this position can expect to have an impact on Northeast Ohio students and families.

When you work for College Now, you are part of an innovative and visionary team, committed to College Now's mission, vision, and values as we are committed to creating a collaborative workplace for team members. Offering superior benefits, ample opportunities for professional growth and development, and the chance to make an impact on the community, College Now is where careers are made and grown.

Position Title: College & Career Advisor, Access Programs and Services (Adult Learning)

Status: Full-time; Non-Exempt

Standard Hours: 40 hours/week Monday–Friday, with some evening and weekend hours required

Location: Hybrid - Community settings, College Now Resource Center, and schools; travel to multiple sites required (Lorain/Elyria, Cleveland, Akron)

Reports To: Manager, Access Programs and Services (Adult Learning)

Salary Range: $43,000 to $48,000, increasing with relevant experience

Assigned To: Access Programs & Services

Position Summary:

The College & Career Advisor (Adult Learning) helps adult learners aspire to, prepare for, and enroll in postsecondary education while identifying ways to finance their education. Services are provided in group and one-on-one settings throughout the community and in the College Now Resource Center.

Essential Functions:

• Provide individual and group advising on education, career, and workforce goals, including program selection, admissions, enrollment, financial aid, and persistence.
• Help adult learners identify postsecondary pathways that fit their career goals, prior education, work experience, financial situation, and life responsibilities.
• Identify and help address barriers to enrollment and persistence, including childcare, transportation, technology access, employment demands, financial instability, and other life circumstances.
• Guide learners through certificate, credential, apprenticeship, two-year, four-year, and other postsecondary options.
• Assist with applications, enrollment steps, transcript requests, placement requirements, and re-entry to college or training.
• Support completion of the FAFSA and other financial aid requirements, including verification, special circumstances, satisfactory academic progress, and dependency issues.
• Help learners understand financial aid offers, college costs, scholarships, employer benefits, workforce funding, and other sources of financial support.
• Recommend eligible learners for College Now scholarships and support scholarship applications.
• Assist learners with prior college debt, institutional balances, transfer credits, student loan repayment, consolidation, rehabilitation, and forgiveness options.
• Serve as a resource on prior learning assessment, transfer credit, competency-based education, and credit for work, military, or professional experience.
• Provide ongoing follow-up to support enrollment, persistence, and completion.
• Refer learners to appropriate college departments, workforce partners, and community resources for needs beyond College Now’s scope.
• Build relationships with colleges, workforce organizations, adult education providers, employers, and community partners.
• Conduct outreach, workshops, presentations, and community events and programs to support and promote Adult Programs and Services.
• Accurately document participant demographics, services, referrals, milestones, and outcomes while maintaining confidentiality.
• Maintain current knowledge of adult education, financial aid, workforce credentials, student loan programs, and regional postsecondary opportunities.
• Contribute to grant development, reporting, program evaluation, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QualificationsMust-Have Skills:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

Must-Have Technical Skills:

• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Comfortable using a laptop, navigating the Internet, and entering data into a student database.

Previous Work Experience:

• Experience working with students, preferably adults.
• Background in education, higher education admissions, student support services, advising, or counseling is a plus.

Education Requirement:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Counseling certificate and/or experience preferred.

Additional Requirements:

• Evening and weekend hours required.
• Must have reliable transportation to multiple locations.
• Ability to lift up to 10 pounds (e.g., laptop, printer, materials).

Disclaimer: "Nothing in this position description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time."