AmeriCorps Academic Advisor

About the role

The AmeriCorps PositionsWe are looking for full-time AmeriCorps members to provide academic and college readiness/planning support to 7th to 12th-grade students in the Breakthrough Silicon Valley program. AmeriCorps members will serve full-time from September 8th, 2026 to August 6th, 2027. The AmeriCorps members will serve alongside and be supported by the BTSV program team while preparing students for their college journey.

Responsibilities

• Academic Advisors (7th-8th grade): Build supportive relationships with approximately 30 students in grades 7-8 who aspire to be among the first generation in their families to graduate from college and who are just starting their Breakthrough journey. Provide coaching on academic and non-academic pursuits. Monitor students’ grades throughout the semester to ensure academic progress, and connect them with tutoring resources as needed. Support after school and occasional weekend sessions, such as Majors/Careers workshops, College Field trips, and high school transitions.
• Academic Advisors (9-10th grade): Build supportive relationships with approximately 30 students in grades 9-10 as they develop strong academic habits and begin exploring potential career and major interests. Guide them as they learn about the different types of colleges (public/private). Monitor students’ grades throughout the semester to ensure academic progress, and connect them with tutoring resources or advise on course recovery options as needed. Encourage students to take advantage of their summers to develop their leadership skills and broaden their horizons through work, enrichment camps, academic study, or volunteerism.
• Academic Advisors (11-12th grade): Build supportive relationships with approximately 30 students in grades 11th-12th graders with their college exploration, application, financial aid, and decision-making process. Monitor students’ grades throughout the semester to ensure academic progress, and connect them with tutoring resources or advise on course recovery options as needed. Support students in applying to a broad range of best-fit colleges, and guide them through the enrollment process to ensure they select the option that best aligns with their needs and goals.

Qualifications

• Relationship-building: Ability to connect with middle and high school students in a meaningful, trust-based way and maintain consistent, encouraging communication throughout the year.
• Coaching and goal-setting: Comfort guiding students through identifying their own goals, developing action plans, and reflecting on their progress.
• Organization and follow-through: Ability to manage a caseload of approximately 30 students, track their progress, and follow up proactively and consistently.
• Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills for working with students, families, school partners, and the BTSV program team.
• Adaptability: Willingness to shift between roles and responsibilities across the school year and into summer programming as program needs evolve.
• Collaboration: A team-first mindset and ability to work closely with fellow AmeriCorps members, program staff, and school-based partners.
• Cultural competency: Ability to engage respectfully and effectively with students and families from a wide range of cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Skills

• Bilingual proficiency in Spanish or Vietnamese is a plus.
• Breakthrough Spirit: You're a collaborative team player committed to excellence and open to growth. You think creatively, solve problems with humility and humor, and bring genuine passion for BTSV's mission.

Benefits

• $30,000 living allowance (pre-tax) paid semi-monthly over the 11-month service term.
• Health insurance, if needed.
• Most AmeriCorps members will be eligible for food supplement programs, like SNAP/CalFresh, to help cover monthly grocery expenses.
• AmeriCorps members who complete their service are eligible for a $10,000 education award via the AmeriCorps Segal Education Award and the California for All Education Award. This award can be used for continuing education or even to repay certain student loans.
• Many members will also qualify for student loan forbearance.

Pay

$30,000 living allowance (pre-tax) paid semi-monthly over the 11-month service term.

Schedule

AmeriCorps members are required to serve full-time in person. This is not a remote position.