College and Career Manager

College and Career Manager

ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND:

Our mission is to build a compassionate and just community by empowering and dignifying individuals and families, advocating against injustices, and uniting people to celebrate diversity.

Corazón Healdsburg serves low-income families from the communities of Healdsburg, Windsor, Cloverdale, and Geyserville and surrounding rural areas, approximately 95% of whom are Latino, and 75% of whom are monolingual Spanish speakers.

Corazón operates through three interconnected pillars: Family Resource Center, providing bilingual, wraparound support services that help families navigate challenges and access essential resources; Academic Development, offering cradle-to-career programs that support children, youth, and families in achieving their educational goals; and Community Engagement, creating opportunities to elevate local voices, develop community leaders, and strengthen civic participation.

Our work is grounded in the belief that individuals and families have strengths, knowledge, and lived experience that should guide the services and solutions designed to support them.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The College & Career Manager leads Corazón Healdsburg's college and career preparation programs, with a primary focus on supporting approximately 40–50 high school students in grades 9–12, in the FirstGen College Counseling Program.

This position works directly with students and families to increase access to higher education, career pathways, financial aid, tutoring, summer program opportunities, scholarships, extracurricular experiences, and other resources that support students in reaching their educational and career goals. The Manager provides individualized advising, group programming, family engagement, workshops, college and career exploration, and hands-on support throughout the college application and transition process.

A central component of the role is managing the FirstGen College Counseling Program by supporting college-bound students and their families, many of whom may be navigating the college-going process for the first time. The Manager serves as a consistent advocate and resource for students and families, helping them understand and navigate systems that can often feel complex or unfamiliar. The position will also work collaboratively with other Academic Development staff to strengthen the continuum of support from middle school through high school and into postsecondary education.

Job Description

Responsibilities

• Lead the FirstGen College Counseling Program for approximately 40–50 high school students in grades 9–12

• Provide individualized college and career advising to help students identify goals, explore opportunities, develop postsecondary plans, and navigate their transition after high school.

• Support students through the college application and financial aid process, including applications, essays, FAFSA/CADAA, scholarships, financial aid offers, and enrollment decisions.

• Engage and support families as partners in their students’ academic and postsecondary journeys, with culturally responsive and accessible communication.

• Develop and facilitate workshops, activities, and enrichment opportunities focused on college readiness, career exploration, leadership, academic success, and life after high school.

• Connect students to summer programs, internships, scholarships, college visits, career experiences, and other educational opportunities that expand their access and exposure.

• Help address transportation and logistical barriers that may prevent students from accessing higher education opportunities, including accompanying students when appropriate.

• Monitor student academic progress and provide advocacy and support to help students stay on track for graduation and their postsecondary goals.

• Build relationships with schools, colleges, community organizations, employers, and other partners to expand opportunities and resources available to students and families.

• Recruit and select students for the program and help strengthen a supportive college- and career-going culture within Corazón Healdsburg and the broader community.

• Develop and maintain an alumni and mentoring network to support students beyond high school and strengthen connections between current students and postsecondary graduates.

• Maintain accurate student records and program data and use information and student feedback to evaluate and improve program effectiveness.

• Support grant reporting, program development, and fundraising efforts related to College & Career Pathways and Academic Development.

• Collaborate with other Corazón staff to create a connected academic development pathway from middle school through high school and into postsecondary education or career and contribute to the growth and development of the Academic Development department.

• Represent Corazón Healdsburg in community and school settings and serve as a trusted advocate for students and families.

Team Leadership and Supervision

• Attend regular internal Team Lead meetings with department and program leaders. 

• Provide leadership, direction, and supervision to program support staff.

• Conduct regular individual supervision and team meetings.

• Establish clear expectations, priorities, schedules and workflows for the college and career programs.

• Create a collaborative, respectful, and supportive team environment grounded in accountability, equity, and mutual respect.

Cross-Departmental Collaboration

• Maintain regular communication and collaboration with Corazón Healdsburg’s other program areas and leadership.

• Participate in organizational projects and initiatives that support Corazón Healdsburg’s mission and strategic priorities.

• Demonstrate leadership to strengthen team cohesion across departments by creating a collaborative, supportive, and inclusive workplace culture; creating opportunities for team building and connection. 

Data, Documentation, and Program Evaluation

• Ensure timely and accurate collection and entry of program data.

• Review program data to identify trends, service needs, and opportunities to improve program effectiveness.

• Support the development and improvement of intake forms, surveys, tracking systems, and other data collection tools.

• Collect and document client stories and program outcomes in accordance with organizational policies and confidentiality requirements.

• Prepare program data and narratives for internal reporting, funder reports, and organizational planning.

Grant and Budget Management

• Work with the Director of Programs to monitor and manage program related grants and budgets.

• Track program expenditures and identify potential budgetary concerns or changes in program needs.

• Support grant reporting by providing accurate program data, outcomes, narratives, and other required information.
• Ensure program activities are implemented in accordance with grant requirements and funding restrictions.

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of college application process, financial aid, “A-G” requirements, and college preparedness for high school students.

• Education and experience in counseling, social work, psychology, youth development, higher education, or a related field.

• 2+ years experience working directly with high school students, preferably in college access, college advising, career development, education, or youth development.

• 2+ year experience supporting first-generation college-bound students and/or students and families navigating higher education systems.

• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple students, deadlines, and priorities.

• Strong understanding of the college admissions and financial aid process, including UC, CSU, FAFSA, CADAA, scholarships, and other postsecondary pathways.

• Ability to lead parent and student workshops and engagement activities around college preparedness.

• Bilingual in Spanish and English, required.

• Experience working with immigrant, first-generation, low-income, or historically underserved communities.

• High level of professionalism: promptness, preparedness, professional appearance

• Excellent presentation and communication skills.

• Strong administrative and organizational skills.

• Strong computer skills and experience using Google Workspace and digital data-management systems.

• Demonstrate enthusiasm and initiative and the ability to work independently

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment when working with students and families.

• Must complete a DMV and criminal background check; and pass a criminal record clearance that includes fingerprinting through the Department of Justice.

Preferred

• Experience working in a Family Resource Center, community-based organization, school, or similar setting.

• Experience with grant reporting and/or program evaluation.

• Experience developing curriculum or educational programming.

• Experience coordinating college visits, youth travel, summer programs, or educational enrichment opportunities.

• Experience developing or managing an alumni or mentoring program.

• Knowledge of local educational resources and Northern Sonoma County community partners.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Must be able to sit at a desk. Must be able to do phone or computer work for blocks of time. Must be able to communicate verbally. Must be able to lift and move paperwork, files, and equipment up to 25 pounds. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, sit; use hands to handle objects/operate keyboards; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, and crouch; talk and hear. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. This position holds regular office hours in our location at the Healdsburg Community Center. Events, meetings, facility tours, and gatherings may take place at off-site locations with unknown accessibility. The noise level in the work environment can be loud. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. The position may require light travel to various locations throughout Sonoma County.

OTHER DUTIES: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that is required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. 

Corazón Healdsburg is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.