2026-27 Next Step Adviser (Multiple Vacancies)

2026-27 Next Step Adviser (Multiple Vacancies)

Department: Office of Rural Promise - 240105

Minimum Qualifications

• Earned or will earn an associates degree between May 2019 and June 2026; Candidates must have received an associates degree within seven years of applying to serve as an adviser
• Ability to work well with various population groups
• Strong desire to serve
• Strong interest in learning and professional growth
• High level of professionalism in all communications and interactions
• Must be able to relocate to the service area and be involved in the surrounding community

Essential Job Functions

Working Locations: High school(s) located within one of the following counties: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Catawba, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Graham, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, Mitchell, McDowell, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey.

Advise NC at Appalachian State seeks to hire recent graduates to serve as Next Step Advisers in high schools throughout western North Carolina. As members of a statewide movement, Advise NC at Appalachian State advisers will help students in rural, under-served Appalachian communities realize their dreams of achieving their next steps.

Regular responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

• Assist students with the development of post-graduation plans, including workforce entry, trade or technical school enrollment, 2-year or 4-year college enrollment, or military enlistment
• Provide one-on-one admissions and financial aid advisement to any student or family seeking assistance
• Encourage students to consider a broad range of appropriate post-secondary choices and assist them in developing a comprehensive list of good fit and match options
• Help students and families complete and submit admissions and financial aid applications
• Offer a variety of workshops, presentations, and events to promote next steps planning
• Engage families and mentors in support of their students' post-secondary process, including calling all seniors' families/guardians via phone
• Participate in activities, attend events, and interact with the school and community in an effort to build trust and relationships
• Collaborate with the Advise NC at App State Program Staff and partner school personnel
• Record up-to-date service activity data using a web-based database system (training provided)
• Submit weekly progress reports to the Advise NC at App State Program Staff documenting progress and outputs
• Establish productive working relationships with principals, counselors, teachers, and other student support staff in partner high school(s)
• Actively seek the advice and counsel of the on-site liaison at partner high school and the Advise NC at App State Program Staff in order to provide student and family services most effectively
• Develop expertise in admissions and financial aid advising
• Participate fully in pre- and in-service training
• In consultation with the Advise NC at App State Program Staff, seek out and participate in other opportunities for professional development
• Create resources for the larger advising team, including (but not limited to): social media templates, graphics & videos, advising resources, financial aid resources, scholarship guides, newsletters, event planning guides, etc.
• Assist Advise NC at App State Program Staff with the development and facilitation of adviser pre-service and in-service trainings
• Represent the Advise NC at Appalachian State program appropriately at all times
• Other duties as assigned

Next Step Advisers:

• Report to Appalachian State-based program staff, as well as high school-based on-site facilitator
• Participate in 4-week training during the summer and ongoing professional development throughout the school year
• Commit to one academic year (11 months) of service with preferred two-year commitment if mutually agreed upon by the program staff, the adviser, and the school site

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree
• Experience working with high school-aged youth
• Experience managing large projects and working in teams
• Background in community service
• Leadership experience
• Priority given to graduates of Appalachian State University during the initial application review process
• Proficiency in languages other than English

Work Schedule/Hours: Monday-Friday. Daily hours follow the partner high school’s expected schedule for faculty and staff; some nights and weekends required. Advisers work towards a set number of service hours as AmeriCorps members. Advisers are provided resources to track and plan for service hour completion.

Closing Date: 2/1/2027