College PAC (Preparation, Access, Completion) Specialist

Big Brother Big Sister of Greater Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA, US

17 days ago

Job type

Full-time

Job description

Job Description

POSITION OVERVIEW :

Reporting to the Senior Manager of Specialty Programs, the College-PAC (Preparation, Access, Completion) Specialist plays a vital role in advancing BBBSLA's mission by ensuring first-generation, college-bound students have the guidance and resources to successfully access, persist in, and complete higher education. This dynamic team member supports the development, implementation, and delivery of College-PAC programming, facilitating workshops, leading trainings, and providing individualized case management for mentees and families. With a focus on building strong relationships and providing high-quality match support, the College-PAC Specialist connects students, mentors, and parents to the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the college journey, from early preparation for admissions through to degree attainment. The ideal candidate will bring passion, adaptability, and strong project management skills to foster meaningful student outcomes and strengthen the overall impact of BBBSLA's college access initiatives.

This is a full-time, hybrid position with a mix of virtual and in-office responsibilities, and it requires occasional travel for program events, trainings, and meetings with students, mentors, families, and school partners.

ESSENTIAL JOB ACTIVITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The activities and responsibilities outlined below represent the core functions required for successful performance in this role. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Program Development & Implementation

Support College-PAC leadership in curriculum design and implementation, ensuring programming delivers outcomes-based college preparation and access services tailored to the needs of low-income, first-generation, and undocumented students.
Plan, coordinate, and deliver College-PAC support services such as college readiness workshops, career exploration sessions, academic support, personal guidance, life skills, and professional development.
Design and execute College-PAC events (virtual and in-person) including High School Recruitment, College Day, Match Graduation, college tours, and workshops that prepare mentees, mentors, and parents for college access and completion.
Collaborate with BBBSLA and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America service delivery staff to ensure smooth program transitions and integration across functions.
Assist with the recruitment of high school seniors into specialized programming.
Participate in College-PAC and BBBSLA events, representing the program to students, families, schools, and community partners.
Provide support and mentorship to newer or less experienced staff as needed.
Perform other duties as assigned by supervisors.

Case Management & Student Support

Manage a caseload of 80-100 college students by providing individualized case management through scheduled in-person, phone, and electronic contact.

Meet monthly case management goals with at least an 80% on-time contact rate, submitting thorough case notes and adhering to all BBBSLA and BBBSA standards.

Provide targeted support to high school and college students in academics, college / career planning, financial aid navigation, and personal goal-setting.

Track student progress on individualized "Road Map" plans, including college applications, admissions, financial aid, and post-secondary career pathways.

Identify and share relevant scholarships, internships, and college access resources to support student success.

Support the administration of scholarships, including outreach, eligibility review, document collection, communication with families, and assisting students through application and acceptance processes.

Mentor, Parent, & Family Engagement

Facilitate meaningful involvement of mentors and parents in the college preparation process, equipping them with resources and guidance to support student success.

Develop strategies to sustain mentor, mentee, and parent engagement with BBBSLA beyond high school.

Provide mentors and parents with targeted training, tools, and ongoing communication to strengthen their support of mentees.

Evaluation & Reporting

Administer evaluations and surveys to mentoring matches throughout the year to assess program quality and impact.

Track and analyze student, mentor, and family participation data; evaluate program outcomes; and contribute to continuous improvement efforts.

Support reporting on program performance, outcomes, and grant deliverables.

Contribute to the agency's monthly newsletter by providing program updates, student resources, and highlights.

The statements above reflect the general nature and level of work assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or skills required. This job description may be updated or revised as organizational needs evolve.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE :

Bachelor's degree required; degree in education, counseling, social work, or related field preferred.

1-2 years of experience in college access, counseling, advising, or retention work, with a focus on serving low-income, first-generation, and / or undocumented students.

Experience in case management or client-facing roles that require consistent, high-quality contact and follow-up.

Demonstrated knowledge of higher education systems, admissions, financial aid, and student support services.

Experience with student information systems, tracking databases, or CRM platforms (e.g., Salesforce) preferred.

Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build meaningful relationships with students, mentors, parents, and school / community partners.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present workshops and trainings to diverse audiences.

Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook); comfort with virtual platforms such as Zoom, Teams, or Google Meet.

Bilingual proficiency (English / Spanish) strongly preferred.

COMPETENCIES :

Customer / Client Focus - Demonstrates a strong commitment to meeting the needs of students, parents, mentors, volunteers, staff, and community partners. Builds trust through consistent support, open communication, and respect for diverse perspectives. Actively seeks to add value to the mentor-mentee relationship and to engage families as partners in student success. Shows cultural competency, flexibility, and adaptability in supporting first-generation, low-income students.

Initiative & Problem Solvingm - Takes proactive steps to advance program, project, and agency goals. Identifies opportunities for improvement, recommends solutions, and follows through with a positive, collaborative approach. Demonstrates resourcefulness in addressing challenges and uses creativity to adapt programming to evolving student and family needs.

Communication - Communicates clearly and effectively across a variety of audiences, including students, families, mentors, school partners, and agency leadership. Excels in written and verbal communication, producing professional correspondence, reports, and presentations. Delivers engaging and accessible workshops / trainings and is comfortable facilitating discussions with diverse groups.

Interpersonal Savvy - Builds and maintains positive relationships with individuals from a wide range of backgrounds. Practices active listening, demonstrates empathy, and seeks to understand multiple perspectives. Uses diplomacy and tact to navigate sensitive situations and is effective in diffusing conflict. Encourages collaboration and fosters an inclusive environment where all voices are valued.

Priority Setting & Organization - Demonstrates strong organizational and time management skills by focusing on high-priority tasks and outcomes. Balances multiple projects and deadlines while maintaining attention to detail and quality. Anticipates potential roadblocks, develops contingency plans, and ensures consistent progress toward goals.

WORK ENVIRONMENT :

The conditions outlined below are representative of those encountered while performing the essential functions of this role.

Work setting : Hybrid office environment with flexibility in scheduling. Evening and weekend work may be required to support organizational needs.

Travel : Independent travel to partner sites, events, and meetings required.

Physical demands : While performing the duties of this job, the employee will regularly be required to sit, stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, and communicate verbally. The role requires frequent use of a computer, telephone, and other standard office equipment. The employee must occasionally lift and / or move up to 25 lbs.

Equal Employment Opportunity

BBBSLA is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals. Employment decisions are based on organizational needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital or domestic partnership status, military or veteran status, family or parental status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.

Americans with Disabilities Act

BBBSLA is committed to complying with all applicable provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and state disability laws. Applicants and employees who require a reasonable accommodation to perform the essential functions of their job are encouraged to notify the organization. Reasonable accommodations will be determined on a case-by-case basis, consistent with applicable law.

Big Brothers Big Sisters is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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