College Access Counselor

College Access Counselor (Part-Time, Remote) Barrier Breakers®, Inc. — a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to expanding access to higher education and career pathways for first-generation and low-income students — is seeking mission‑aligned College Access Counselors to join our advising team. We are seeking counselors willing to make a minimum two‑year commitment and to support up to 12 students on their caseload , which may include both paying students and pro bono students , reflecting our nonprofit cross‑subsidy model in which tuition from some families directly supports free, high‑touch advising for others. Students are assigned on a rolling basis as inquiries come in (not all at once), and weekly time commitments will vary accordingly, not to exceed 10 hours per week . This is a 100% remote, part‑time W‑2 hourly position with flexible scheduling designed to support high‑touch, relationship‑centered advising . Who Our Students Are Barrier Breakers supports college and graduate school applicants and students —primarily first‑generation and low‑income— who are interested in the following career pathways : Law Healthcare STEM / Engineering Business / Finance Environmental & Sustainability careers This year alone, we will serve 70+ pro bono high school students and 30+ pro bono graduate school applicants nationwide. Starting in 2026, all students will receive an industry mentor, and by 2027, all our students will receive a half‑day or one‑week industry experience through shadowing or internship placement. Key Responsibilities Follow Barrier Breakers® advising curriculum to ensure consistent service delivery across all students Build strategic, personalized college lists aligned with students’ academic profiles, financial realities, and long‑term goals using the Barrier Breakers curriculum Advise students on high school course selection, extracurricular development, and summer opportunities Support college essay content brainstorming (comprehensive editing is handled by dedicated essay coaches) Guide families through financial aid, scholarships, and post‑submission decision‑making (e.g., waitlists, comparisons) Stay current on college access trends and pathways relevant to first‑generation students Communicate with families and collaborate with internal staff to deliver a consistent, supportive student experience Time Commitment & Schedule Up to 10 hours per week , though many weeks will require significantly less time depending on student flow Students are supported over a two‑year advising arc (junior → senior year) In some cases, students begin advising in sophomore year , resulting in a three‑year advising commitment Counselors must be available for meetings after 4:00 PM ET to accommodate student and family schedules Support & Infrastructure Structured onboarding and ongoing training in our advising model and culturally responsive practices A streamlined online curriculum that reinforces milestones between meetings Essay editing handled by prompt writing coaches, allowing counselors to focus on advising and encouragement A collaborative, mission‑driven team environment Compensation & Transparency $20/hour for all student advising, training, team meetings, and administrative work Training capped at 5 hours Team meetings and admin work capped at 2 hours per month As a nonprofit organization, we aim to minimize overhead and payroll costs so that the greatest possible share of tuition from our paying families can directly subsidize free, high‑touch advising for pro bono students . While this hourly rate is lower than many for‑profit counseling firms, it reflects our commitment to equity, sustainability, and mission‑first budgeting. About Barrier Breakers® Founded by Sydney Montgomery (Princeton & Harvard Law) , Barrier Breakers® has helped more than 7,000 students earn over $490 million in scholarships and financial aid . We partner with school districts, community organizations, and mission‑aligned institutions to ensure students are not limited by income, zip code, or family background. Our work is rooted in culturally responsive advising, data‑informed practices and a deep belief that access to guidance should not be a privilege. Learn more at #J-18808-Ljbffr