College Ready Academy Peer Advisor

New Visions for Public Schools is seeking two College Ready Academy (CRA) Peer Advisors to serve as a vital support system for students in the CRA, facilitating access to college and a smooth transition to postsecondary journey.

About the role

As a CRA Peer Advisor, you will leverage your training and experience as a postsecondary coach or advisor to provide actionable guidance to high school students. You will work closely with program leadership and school counselors to engage and outreach to students, manage student caseloads, facilitate workshops, and provide direct academic and advising support. This role operates on a cyclical calendar to meet students' changing needs:

• Fall Semester: Focused on college list-building, essay support, and intensive financial aid application support including families.
• Spring Semester: Shifts focus to award letter comparison, scholarship procurement, and navigating "senioritis" to ensure students are fully prepared for college enrollment.

2 positions: one based in the Bronx (Roosevelt Education Campus) and one based in Brooklyn (Prospect Heights Educational Campus).

Schedule

This is a part-time, temporary, hourly position from September 2026 to June 2027, with a possible extension into the summer. It is not eligible for benefits, holiday pay, or Paid Time Off (PTO) beyond what is required under NYC law. It requires a consistent weekly commitment, including:

• In-person: Tuesdays and Thursdays (1:00 PM – 6:30 PM) at high school hub
• Co-planning: Mondays (1:00 PM – 4:00 PM) hybrid; in-person at New Visions office
• Virtual: Wednesdays and Saturdays (3-hour block)
• Office hours or evenings
• Monthly workshops
• Chaperone events such as city-wide college fairs on the weekends

Hours: Up to 20 hours per week.

Responsibilities

Advising & Financial Aid Expertise

• Provide granular, step-by-step guidance on complex college applications and financial aid milestones, including:
  • Applications: College list-making, college applications, FAFSA, NYS TAP, and DreamTAP application completion.
  • Advanced Planning: CSS Profile requirements (where applicable) and application navigation for Opportunity Programs (ASAP, SEEK, EOP, HEOP).
  • Decision Support: Award letter comparison and final commitment guidance.

Outreach, Case Management & Collaboration

• Relationship Building
• Caseload Management: Maintain the integrity of the shared student tracker by documenting every advising interaction, milestone progress, and case note. Participate in weekly caseload reviews with the Program Lead to identify opportunities for students and to outreach to "at-risk" students who may need additional support.

Program Operations

• College Now & Academic Support: Provide on-site support during the College Now program (Tuesdays & Thursdays, 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM), including facilitating study halls, managing classroom logistics (laptop carts/setup), and creating a welcoming environment. Help manage dinners for students on site for College Now.

Seamless Enrollment & Persistence

• Summer Melt Prevention: Lead transition efforts during the critical post-graduation period: monitor student enrollment status, assist with housing/deposit questions, and ensure students complete all pre-college requirements (e.g., orientation, course registration).
• Virtual Advising: Host virtual office hours (Wednesdays & Saturdays) for 1:1 advising and assist in planning/facilitating monthly virtual workshops for students and families.

Requirements

• Previous experience as a peer coach (e.g., New Visions Bridge, CUNY CCB4A, College Advising Fellow, CARA, SLN College Transition Coach) is strongly preferred or other relevant postsecondary advisory experience.
• Must have cleared fingerprinting with the NYC Department of Education (NYCPS).

Skills

• Emotional Intelligence: Ability to adapt to different school environments and build trust with diverse constituencies, including students, families, and high school staff.
• Relationship-Building: Ability to quickly establish trust and rapport with students through active listening, reflecting back what students share, and normalizing uncertainty through the postsecondary process.
• Organizational Rigor: Ability to track data, maintain detailed case notes, and communicate milestone progress effectively.
• Teamwork: Excellent interpersonal and teaming skills.
• Proactive Communication: Ability to identify challenges early — whether with an individual student or a new program — and manage up by flagging concerns to supervisors with clarity and appropriate urgency.
• Collaboration: Ability to interface effectively with diverse constituencies, including students, families, and New Visions staff.
• Flexibility: Willingness to grow and support as this new pilot program develops including ability to navigate new processes, provide feedback and be adaptive as we make program refinements.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to travel onsite to NYC public schools.
• Ability to traverse a school environment, including accessing multiple floors, to attend meetings and facilitate learning activities.
• Ability to traverse an office environment to attend meetings and interact with colleagues.
• Ability to operate a computer and other relevant technology, such as phones, screens, printers, and tablets.
• Ability to carry up to 10 pounds (such as for a laptop and carrying case).

The ideal candidate must be able to complete all physical requirements of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.

Pay

$22 per hour.

About New Visions for Public Schools

For over three decades, New Visions for Public Schools has played a central role in improving the quality of New York City public schools and removing barriers to the success of low-income students and students of color. We provide educators with the tools, resources, and supports to build and continuously improve strong and responsive systems—through investments in curriculum, technology, student planning tools, and innovative college and career preparatory programs.