Starting August 2025 - AmeriCorps Access Coach- CHICAGO

College Possible Chicago - AmeriCorps Access Coach

Employment Status/hours: In-Person; Full-time; Monday - Friday (40-45 hours/week)

Start Date: August 2025

End Date: June 2026

Compensation:

• Living Stipend $1,001.74 paid in biweekly installments
• Segal Education Award of $7,395
• 100% Employer Paid Medical, Dental & Vision Benefits

Who We Are

As one of the largest and most successful college access and success programs in the country, since 2000 College Possible has helped more than 85,700 students from under-represented communities get into and through college through an intensive curriculum of coaching and support. Its pioneering model matches students with a near-peer coach and an evidence-based curriculum designed to help students overcome the most common barriers to getting into college and completing their degree - all at no cost to students or their families. Nationwide, College Possible students are three times more likely to earn a bachelor's degree within six years than their peers from similar backgrounds.

College Possible is a proud AmeriCorps program. AmeriCorps is a federal agency that brings people together to tackle the country's most pressing challenges through national service. Our AmeriCorps members commit to a year of service as a College Possible coach in communities throughout the country. Many coaches represent the identities of the students they serve, and each brings a commitment to social justice and closing the college equity divide.

Our near-peer coaching model has earned national recognition: the inaugural Evergreen National Education Award recognized our leadership in increasing access to and success in college for students from low-income backgrounds. It also earns top-of-field results: a Harvard study found that the program more than doubles a student's chance of enrolling in a four-year college, and our students are four times more likely to become college graduates than their low-income peers.

Headquartered in Saint Paul, MN, College Possible operates regional sites in Austin, TX; Chicago, IL; Milwaukee, WI; Omaha, NE; Philadelphia, PA; Portland, OR; Saint Paul, MN; and Seattle, WA; as well as Catalyze partnerships in California, Iowa, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Tennessee and Texas.

Our Coaches

College Possible Coaches are selected from a diverse group of individuals from various backgrounds across the United States to serve our students as college access and success mentors; each Coach brings their unique skill set to assist students' success. We seek talented, caring, and capable people committed to supporting our students in their path to college. Through this service year opportunity, our Coaches develop leadership skills, participate in professional development workshops, engage in public speaking and much more. This is not only a positive learning experience for our students but for our Coaches as well!

What You'll Do

The College Access Coach (high school coach) service positions focus on coaching and supporting high school juniors and high school seniors who are seeking to earn a college degree. High school coaches will serve primarily inside a partner high school coaching a caseload of high school juniors and/or seniors as they explore college opportunities and complete the college application process. All high school coaches are required to be in the office every Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM for mandatory ongoing training. Coaches must have reliable transportation to and from the office, assigned school placements, affiliated institutions, and other required locations.

Flagship Access Coach (High School Coach)

Service Location: Local High School in the Chicago Community

• Teach college preparatory classes for 40 or more underserved high school students at local high school campus(es)
• Ensure that students consistently receive the highest quality of services, that school partner needs are met, and that each student makes satisfactory progress toward program goals
• Provide 1-on-1 coaching to students to develop their college plan
• Gain and maintain knowledge of all students' interests, needs, and backgrounds
• Perform follow-up parent/student phone calls
• Lead student recruitment at schools in your portfolio; including but not limited to tasks like leading information sessions, communicating with school staff, facilitating interviews, and welcoming students into the program.
• Collect, organize, and maintain student and program documents
• Update the database and spreadsheet files on a weekly basis; maintain student records and statistics
• Provide mid-year and end of year-end progress reports for all students
• Coordinate with the College Success Team to provide college transition services to graduating high school seniors
• Submit weekly timesheets, periodic reports (i.e., monthly reports, self-evaluations, and supervisor evaluations), and other service-related documentation as required
• Attend required programmatic and community service events

Qualifications

• You are a U.S. citizen; AmeriCorps members are required to be U.S. citizens, nationals, or lawful permanent residents
• You are a recent College Graduate and have obtained a bachelor's degree
• You are 27 Years Old or Younger
• You must clear a National Service Criminal History Check and all other security requirements set forth by College Possible and the school district in which you serve before the start of training

Computer/Software Skills:

• Strong computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and other Office Suite programs.

Other Skills, Abilities and Requirements:

• Desire to work in a growing nonprofit organization with a strong commitment to the mission of helping low-income students earn admission to college and persist toward degree completion.
• Expected to embrace our Core Values of inclusive culture, student success, teamwork, impact and growth + innovation and have a significant commitment to the mission of helping all students earn admission to college and persist toward degree completion.
• Adaptability, flexibility, creativity, and commitment to excellence
• Desire to engage in diversity, inclusion and/or equity work.
• Demonstrated ability to work well with diverse types of people in a team environment.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to effectively interpret data and reports.
• Outstanding attention to detail
• Top quality organization skills, unwavering ability to meet deadlines, multi-task, and handle potentially stressful situations calmly and appropriately.
• Willingness and ability to take initiative and thrive in new environments.
• Motivated and able to work independently as well as with a team.
• Able to establish and maintain cooperative professional relationships.
• Flexibility to work in multiple locations. Time is split between the College Possible office and affiliated institutions.
• Access to reliable transportation required.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift up to 15 pounds when needed
• Office environment with limited travel
• Ability to stand and/or sit for a minimum of 7 hours a day

College Possible Coach Benefits & Perks

• 3 weeks of paid school breaks & holidays
• Up to 5 personal days
• 3 weeks onboarding and training
• Consistent professional & leadership development training
• Employee Assistance Program access, with mental, physical, & financial wellness benefits
• Company-provided technology
• Company-provided gear & apparel
• Access to College Possible alumni network

AmeriCorps Eligible Benefits

• Student loan deferment and interest forbearance
• Child care benefits program
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Benefits
• Department of Education's Public Service Loan Forgiveness program
• Access to Schools of National Service Network for additional education benefits
• Access to AmeriCorps alumni & Employers of National Service networks

College Possible is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, and seeks to build a diverse workforce to create impact in partnership with the communities we serve. We welcome a diverse pool of qualified applicants. For each of its positions, College Possible is mindful about what best serves our students, and seeks to hire staff with relevant experience, skills and aptitude, and a commitment to the power of education.

College Possible is committed to ensuring that all individuals have equal access to opportunities within our organization. We recognize that individuals with disabilities may need reasonable accommodations to perform essential job functions and to fully participate in our recruitment, interview, and onboarding processes.

If you require any accommodation, please contact us at AmeriCorpsRecruitment@CollegePossible.org or reach out directly to your recruiter. All requests for accommodations are handled confidentially and assessed on an individual basis. We are dedicated to providing the necessary support to ensure an inclusive and accessible environment for all.