26-90; College and Career Specialist ; 1.0 FTE; Ashland High School; Probationary

FTE: 1.0 FTE / 8 hours per day; Probationary

About the Role

This position supports students in finding pathways to post-high school education through college and career counseling. It coordinates the Ashland High School ASPIRE Program, facilitates activities promoting college attendance as a school culture, and provides administrative support to the counseling office and administration. Performs duties with minimal supervision.

Responsibilities

• Follows and maintains knowledge of applicable District policies and procedures.
• Assists students, individually or in groups, with tasks specific to attending college.
• Recruits, screens, trains, and supervises volunteer mentors for the ASPIRE program.
• Trains ASPIRE mentors to work one-on-one with students, helping them plan, prepare, and achieve postsecondary education goals (college or career-technical school).
• Supervises ASPIRE mentors daily and maintains volunteer application paperwork and background checks.
• Coordinates and facilitates monthly training for volunteers and organizes volunteer recognition activities.
• Recruits students for the ASPIRE program through classroom outreach, presentations, and announcements.
• Matches students with appropriate mentors and resources based on their needs.
• Supports students in exploring post-high school educational options, completing applications for colleges, vocational programs, financial aid, and scholarships.
• Provides guidance, resources, and follow-up support consistent with each student’s post-high school goals.
• Collects and maintains data to document student progress toward post-high school goals.
• Participates in team meetings and gathers information for post-high school education planning.
• Attends transition planning meetings with eligible students when appropriate.
• Collaborates with teachers and counselors to provide college and career curriculum, including classroom presentations.
• Coordinates and facilitates college, financial aid, and scholarship information nights for students and parents.
• Assists administration with dual-credit pathway programs, meeting with students and parents to provide information on early college credit options.
• Provides direct support for the financial aid process, including FAFSA completion, and contacts financial aid offices as needed.
• Coordinates events promoting post-secondary education and student recognition.
• Serves as a liaison for students and families with external programs such as Job Corps, Job Council, TRiO, RCC, SOU, and other community colleges, universities, and vocational programs.
• Communicates program information through handbooks, flyers, newsletters, and other means.
• Compiles and updates the AHS College Handbook annually.
• Assists the scholarship coordinator with disseminating scholarship information and facilitating interviews.
• Completes accurate reports, including key performance measures required by OSAC, and participates in ASPIRE program evaluations.
• Coordinates the end-of-year senior survey, documents final transcript requests, and compiles statistics on seniors’ post-high school plans.
• Develops partnerships with post-secondary institutions and vocational training programs.
• Coordinates and promotes college and post-secondary visitations to the school with counseling office staff.
• Maintains the College and Career Information area of the counseling office and organizes useful resources for post-high school planning.
• Ensures a safe environment for students and reports hazards immediately.
• Maintains and secures confidential records appropriately.
• Represents the school and District professionally in interactions with parents, community, staff, and students.
• Problem-solves and implements decisions within ASD policies and procedures.
• Works collaboratively with administrators and staff to provide reliable service.
• Communicates clearly and participates as an effective team member.
• Provides impeccable customer service and interacts thoughtfully with students, staff, and parents.
• Maintains required certifications and training hours, attends work regularly, and completes annual online training.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• May supervise volunteers, student aides, and instructional assistants.
• All school employees share responsibility for supervising students and maintaining a safe environment.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree (A.A.) or equivalent from a two-year college or technical school, or one to two years of related experience/training, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Prior successful experience working in a school setting or with career and college education strongly preferred.
• Works well with diverse backgrounds, focuses on conflict resolution, maintains confidentiality, and contributes to a positive team spirit.
• Demonstrated ability to work with special needs students.
• Fluent verbal and written communication in English, with the ability to present information effectively in one-on-one, small, and large group settings.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Basic mathematical skills, including computation of rates, ratios, and percentages.
• Ability to apply common sense to carry out instructions in written, oral, or diagram form and deal with variables in various situations.
• General knowledge of computer usage, including database software, email, internet, spreadsheets, and word processing. Student information software experience preferred.
• Ability to communicate appropriately with students, teachers, parents, and community members, and exercise good judgment in an environment with constant interruptions.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Certificates as determined by the District, including meeting current certification requirements.
• Ability to obtain a valid CPR/First Aid card and valid Oregon Driver’s License.

Pay

$25.85 - $32.42 per hour (2025-26 salary schedule; 2026-27 salary to be determined).

Physical Demands

• Regularly required to communicate effectively with others.
• Must move between buildings and throughout the District.
• Requires use of digital systems, software, and hardware for communication, budgeting, and compliance.
• Some travel outside the District may be required.

Work Environment

• Noise level is usually low to moderate but may occasionally be high depending on student activities.
• Occasionally exposed to wet or humid conditions and outdoor weather.
• May be exposed to bloodborne pathogens.