Humboldt County Office of Education: Success Coaches | North Coast Cal-SOAP

Background:

The California Student Opportunity and Access Program (Cal-SOAP) is a post-secondary information, academic enrichment, and outreach program with the goal of increasing the accessibility of post-secondary educational opportunities for low-income and underrepresented middle, high school, and college students.

Description:

Under the guidance of the Cal-SOAP Program Director and the Event Technician, Cal-SOAP College & Career Success Coaches promote post-secondary success in local students. Success Coaches placed at high schools work closely with school counselors to increase FAFSA/CADAA completion rates and college going rates by assisting with events, providing college advising, supporting students and families through the financial aid and college application process, promoting a school-wide college going culture, and creating summer bridge programming to prevent summer-melt.

 The Success Coaches may perform any combination of the following duties:

• Organize and staff FSA ID and Cash for College workshops and schedule one-on-one follow-up sessions with students and families to assist them in completing their FAFSA/CADAA;
• Analyze reports to identify students that require extra assistance with the financial aid application process;
• Follow up with students to ensure they complete the four steps of the financial aid process: submission, completion, understanding their award letters, and accepting their financial aid and manage a caseload of students that need ongoing support;
• Help students set up and learn to navigate their WebGrants for Students portal;
• Ensure seniors are aware of and meeting deadlines for college admissions and scholarships;
• Organize activities to promote a school-wide college going culture;
• Compile and update web-based list of resources for students and families;
• Assist with marketing, messaging, and incentives for financial aid, advising, and events;
• Call students and families during summer to assess progress towards fall college enrollment;
• Update event contact spreadsheets and enter into online database;
• Call schools to gather information for various lists;
• Table, present, or assist at events and fairs;
• Aggregate surveys post event and edit and update documents as needed;
• Create and collate packets for events;
• Make appropriate referrals;
• Perform related duties as required;

• Participate in professional development trainings (See Program Calendar)
• Check email daily and promptly respond to Cal-SOAP Technician’s requests for communication
• Attend weekly check-ins with Cal-SOAP Technician and monthly team meetings
• Plan and staff college & career events, if schedule allows
• Be a proactive, positive, cooperative, and productive team member
• Exhibit a dependable and consistent work ethic

• Be enrolled at least half time in a college or other post-secondary school as an undergraduate or graduate student (half time is 6 units for undergraduate and 3 units for graduate, per semester.)
• Have financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form: Expected Family Contribution (EFC) must be less than Cost of Attendance
• Strong communication skills both verbal and written
• Be comfortable presenting in front of small and large audiences
• Ability and desire to be a positive role model and to demonstrate sensitivity when working with diverse student populations
• Strong organizational skills and demonstrated ability to handle multiple tasks under pressure.
• Should be able to manage time effectively, prioritize tasks, and meet tight and frequent deadlines
• High degree of initiative and ability to work without constant supervision is required
• Excellent oral/written communication skills. Social media communication skills are highly preferred
• Must be able to accept constructive feedback, prioritize workload, be professional and interact positively with others
• Possess a friendly and outgoing personality, and demonstrate the ability to work with diverse student populations
• Have skills in Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher)
• Preferred: Ability to assist with events in the evenings and on Fridays 9:30 am- 1:30 pm
• Preferred: Knowledge of post-secondary educational and financial aid options