College Ready Academy Peer Advisor

New Visions for Public Schools; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 22,000 - 34,000; Part time

Job summary

New Visions for Public Schools seeks two College Ready Academy Peer Advisors to support NYC high school students in navigating college access and the postsecondary journey. You will leverage postsecondary coaching experience to guide students, work with counselors, and manage caseloads, workshops, and advising sessions.

The roles operate on a cycle: fall focus on college lists and FAFSA/aid; spring on award letters, scholarships, and senior year planning.

Qualifications

• Experience as a peer coach or postsecondary advisory role is preferred.
• Must have cleared NYC DOE fingerprinting as part of the application.
• Ability to operate in a high school setting with diverse students and families.

Responsibilities

• Provide advising and financial aid guidance for college applications and aid milestones.
• Manage caseloads, document interactions, and participate in weekly reviews with leadership.
• Support on-site College Now activities, workshops, and student meals/events.
• Lead virtual advising hours and coordinate monthly workshops for students and families.

Skills

Emotional Intelligence

Relationship-Building

Organizational Rigor

Teamwork

Proactive Communication

Collaboration

Flexibility

Education

Postsecondary advisory experience

NYC fingerprint clearance

Job description

Summary

New Visions for Public Schools is seeking two College Ready Academy (CRA) Peer Advisors to serve as a vital support system for students in the CRA, facilitating access to college and a smooth transition to postsecondary journey. As a CRA Peer Advisor, you will leverage your training and experience as a postsecondary coach or advisor to provide actionable guidance to high school students. You will work closely with program leadership and school counselors to engage and outreach to students, manage student caseloads, facilitate workshops, and provide direct academic and advising support.

This role operates on a cyclical calendar to meet students’ changing needs:

• Fall Semester: Focused on college list-building, essay support, and intensive financial aid application support including families.
• Spring Semester: Shifts focus to award letter comparison, scholarship procurement, and navigating “senioritis” to ensure students are fully prepared for college enrollment.

2 positions: one based in the Bronx Roosevelt Education Campus and one based in Brooklyn Prospect Heights Educational Campus

Schedule

This is a part-time, temporary, hourly position from September 2026 to June 2027, with a possible extension into the summer. It is not eligible for benefits, holiday pay, or Paid Time Off (PTO) beyond what is required under NYC law. It requires a consistent weekly commitment, including on-site work every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon (typically 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM), plus hybrid/virtual availability on Mondays, Wednesdays, and some Saturdays.

• Hours: Up to 20 hours per week

• Schedule:

  • In-person: Tuesdays and Thursdays (1pm - 6:30pm) in-person at high school hub

  • Co-planning: Mondays (1:00 PM – 4:00 PM) at (hybrid; in-person at New Visions

  • Virtual: Wednesdays and Saturdays (3-hour block)

    • Office hours or evenings
    • Monthly workshops

  • Chaperone events such as city-wide college fairs on the weekends

Essential Job Functions:

• Advising & Financial Aid Expertise

  • Provide granular, step-by-step guidance on complex college applications and financial aid milestones, including:

    • Applications: College list-making, college applications, FAFSA, NYS TAP, and DreamTAP application completion.
    • Advanced Planning: CSS Profile requirements (where applicable) and application navigation for Opportunity Programs (ASAP, SEEK, EOP, HEOP).
    • Decision Support: Award letter comparison and final commitment guidance.

• Outreach, Case Management & Collaboration

  • Relationship Building
  • Caseload Management: Maintain the integrity of the shared student tracker by documenting every advising interaction, milestone progress, and case note. Participate in weekly caseload reviews with the Program Lead to identify opportunities for students and to outreach to “at‑risk” students who may need additional support.

• Program Operations

  • College Now & Academic Support: Provide on-site support during the College Now program (Tuesdays & Thursdays, 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM), including facilitating study halls, managing classroom logistics (laptop carts/setup), and creating a welcoming environment. Will also help manage dinners for students on site for College Now.

• Seamless Enrollment & Persistence

  • Summer Melt Prevention: Lead transition efforts during the critical post-graduation period: monitor student enrollment status, assist with housing/deposit questions, and ensure students complete all pre-college requirements (e.g., orientation, course registration).
  • Virtual Advising: Host virtual office hours (Wednesdays & Saturdays) for 1:1 advising and assist in planning/facilitating monthly virtual workshops for students and families.

Required Education and Experience:

• Previous experience as a peer coach (e.g., New Visions Bridge, CUNY CCB4A, College Advising Fellow, CARA, SLN College Transition Coach) is strongly preferred or other relevant postsecondary advisory experience
• Must have cleared fingerprinting with the NYC Department of Education (NYCPS).

Required Knowledge and Skills

• Emotional Intelligence: Ability to adapt to different school environments and build trust with diverse constituencies, including students, families, and high school staff.
• Relationship-Building: Ability to quickly establish trust and rapport with students through active listening, reflecting back what students share, and normalizing uncertainty through the postsecondary process.
• Organizational Rigor: Ability to track data, maintain detailed case notes, and communicate milestone progress effectively.
• Teamwork: Excellent interpersonal and teaming skills.
• Proactive Communication: Ability to identify challenges early — whether with an individual student or a new program — and manage up by flagging concerns to supervisors with clarity and appropriate urgency.
• Collaboration: Ability to interface effectively with diverse constituencies, including students, families, and New Visions staff.
• Flexibility: Willingness to grow and support as this new pilot program develops including ability to navigate new processes, provide feedback and be adaptive as we make program refinements.

Phys** ical Requirements

• Ability to travel onsite to NYC public schools
• Ability to traverse a school environment, including accessing multiple floors, to attend meetings and facilitate learning activities
• Ability to traverse an office environment to attend meetings and interact with colleagues
• Ability to operate a computer and other relevant technology, such as phones, screens, printers, and tablets
• Ability to carry up to 10 pounds (such as for a laptop and carrying case)

The ideal candidate must be able to complete all physical requirements of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.

Disclaimer

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the employee in this position. These statements are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of a person in this position.

Pay Rate

$22 per hour

_ Who We Are _

For over three decades, New Visions for Public Schools has played a central role in improving the quality of New York City public schools and removing barriers to the success of low-income students and students of color. We provide educators with the tools, resources, and supports to build and continuously improve strong and responsive systems—through investments in curriculum, technology, student planning tools, and innovative college and career preparatory programs.

_ Equal Employment Opportunity Statement _

New Visions believes that our teams are most effective when they include representation from the diverse communities we serve, as their perspectives are critical to the work we do. Diversity, equity, and inclusion do not determine who gets hired—that is based on qualifications. They ensure that people who have traditionally