College Access Advisor-Topeka

This job was posted by : For moreinformation, please see: a future for youths in the foster care system, where they need alittle extra assistance to get on track for their dreams to becomereality Kansas Kids @ GEAR UP is a state-wide program serving studentsin foster care, grades 7-12 and first year in college.We require someone who is organized with exceptional time management.Deliver content at events /information workshops in the evening orweekends. Travel to meet with your caseload, across the region,regularly during the school day to personalize services for theirscholarly level. Build rapport with this population and maintainingappropriate boundaries is key to these relationships. Show yourinvestment in their future by making connections with what their needsare, follow up/follow through as well as being a role model.The priority goes to great documentation and information sharing withother invested parties. Travel is your friend in this role as well sinceyou cover a region and have time to mentally prepare on your way to yourappointments. Celebrate milestones of each youth and help them on thefumbles so they feel prepared for the next time. These are the qualitiesit takes and the person we are looking for, so apply today Thisposition is in Topeka, Kansas and is NOT a remote position.Job Summary: Responsible for the enrollment, monitoring and/oradvising of eligible participants. Establishes and maintains a positiveand professional relationship with all referral agencies. Planseducational, career and life skills activities, completes the CollegeAccess Plan (CAP) on each student and coordinates with College AccessMentors or other partners to ensure services are provided.Essential Functions: Instructs program students in college accessworkshops to include college preparation, financial literacy and careerawareness workshops. Provides post enrollment academic monitoring,mentoring and advising as needed. Ensures completion of requiredapplications, surveys and supporting documents by completing allnecessary documentation of activities, assisting with data entry andaccuracy of student database and obtaining student school records,surveys and college enrollment information. Shares participant outcomedata and best practices with agencies as needed. May work closely withprivatized foster care agencies and local schools in enrolling studentsin the program. May negotiate in-kind donations with partners to ensuregrant matches. Reviews student records, identifies local communityreferral resources and conducts referrals for students. Determines andschedules assessments of student needs; may assist with financial aidcoordination. Reports student performance and adjustment needs. Tracksresource usage and aid adequacy as needed.Job Duties: The office is in the Topeka DCF building (or anotherpartner building nearby). Travel to assigned school districts to providecollege going services to students in foster care. Monitors and tracksstudent academic progress, graduation, enrollment in college and FAFSAcompletion. Provides grant related activities such as workshops andcollege campus visits, academic advising, career exploration and jobsearch, mentoring, tutoring resources, and summer programs. Assistsstudents with KKGU dual credit application, DCF tuition waiverapplication and credit recovery, if needed.Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Demonstrated experience inimplementing programs in middle or high schools. Knowledge of the Stateof Kansas foster care system. Knowledge of federal and state regulationsaffecting low-income students and students in foster care. Knowledge ofthe education systems and assessments in the State of Kansas.Strong computer, writing, and oral communication skills; Able to analyzeproblems and reso ve conflicts and the ability to manage time, deadlinesand documentation needs.Physical Demands: Ability to remain in a stationary position.Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment including butnot limited to phone, printers, copiers, and calculators. Ability tocommunicate with others and accurately exchange information. Ability totravel in a vehicle for distances including but not limited to acrosscity, county, and state.Additional Physical Requirement: Ability to drive 7 to 15 passengervan safely and travel distances regularly.Must be able to escort students on campus visits - which may includelots of walking.Must be able to attend community and school presentations.Overnight travel occasionally to trainings and conferences may berequired.

Created: 2026-01-19