Academy Instructor – Part-Time

DETAILS

POSITION OVERVIEW

Reality Changers’ youth programs build first-generation college students by offering tutoring and mentoring resources to support the college readiness, academic preparedness, and leadership development of 8-12th grade participants.

The Part-Time Academy Instructor supports high school seniors through the college application process and is esponsible for delivering a comprehensive, weekly curriculum that enhances the college-going culture of aspiring college students, with a focus on first-generation students. The services provided by College Apps Academy include, but are not limited to: college search, application counseling, personal statement guidance, college survival skills, financial aid, and scholarship support. The part-time Academy Instructor will provide classroom management support to current Instructors, and lead when full-time instructors are out of the office, perform data entry for current and past class years, and provide operational assistance during program events. Ideally, the part-time Instructor will attend two to four nights of the program per week.

The Academy Instructor reports to the Program Manager, College Apps Academy.

BENCHMARKS / GOALS / MEASURES OF SUCCESS:

• 100% of students apply to a two-year or four-year college or university with the support of the instructors.
• 100% of students apply to financial aid (CSS Profile, FAFSA or California Dream Act Application).
• 100% of fall and spring data completed on time for students who remain in the program for the entire year.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

An incumbent may perform any combination of the essential functions shown below. This position description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, knowledge, or abilities associated with this classification, but is intended to accurately reflect the principal job elements.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Instruction & Student Support

• Support and sometimes facilitate weekly cohort sessions, guiding students through the college application and financial aid process.
• Provide 1:1 student advising, including essay support, college list development, and application navigation.
• Track academic progress, application progress, and college decisions for each student.
• Support as needed with communicating consistently with students and families regarding deadlines, program expectations, and opportunities.
• Identify student challenges and provide strategies, resources, and encouragement to ensure completion.
• Regularly promote Reality Changers/College Apps Academy events, college-going culture, and scholarship opportunities for students.
• Be available to students and parents during designated office hours, which may include some weekends and seasonal high-demand periods.
• Collaborate effectively with parents, guardians, teachers, counselors, school administrators, and other
• community resources regarding students with different issues.

Program Operations

• Lead data entry efforts for the class of 2025, and support data entry efforts for the class of 2026.
• Maintain individual student files and program data, including applications, FAFSA/CADAA completion, and scholarship submissions.
• Participate in required staff meetings (virtual & in-person) and professional trainings.
• Support Reality Changers operations, program events, and college-going culture initiatives as scheduled.
• Register as a van driver for program event attendance/student transportation needs.’

Partnerships & Communications

• Build positive relationships with parents/guardians, school partners, and community members.
• Represent Reality Changers in a professional and mission-aligned manner.
• Promote program participation and student engagement.
• Perform other duties as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
• Strong communication, presentation, and mentorship skills
• Highly organized and able to manage deadlines and multiple student needs
• A valid driver’s license and reliable transportation to and from site location(s), Reality Changers’ headquarters, and related events.
• Clear Tuberculosis Test (TB) or the ability to obtain medical clearance
• A job offer of employment is contingent upon completion of our pre-employment screening process.

Preferred:

• Experience in college access, teaching, counseling, academic advising, or related youth-serving work
• Familiarity with college admissions, FAFSA/CADAA, UC/CSU systems, and scholarship processes
• Fluency in Spanish

KEY SKILLS & TRAITS

• Commitment to first-generation college students and educational equity
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build meaningful relationships with high school students
• Detail-oriented and dependable; able to work independently, especially with data
• Cultural humility and alignment with Reality Changers’ DEI values
• Must be highly adaptive, versatile, and responsible, even when confronted with ambiguity.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Plan and organize work.
• Meet schedules and timelines.
• Maintain records and confidentiality.
• Knowledge and proficiency in Microsoft Office, G Suite, Zoom, and email systems. Experience in Salesforce is a plus.

SCHEDULE & LOCATION

• Temporary role through June 2026
• Up to 15 hours/week, including weekly in-person instruction and preparation time
• Occasional weekends for peak deadlines
• Majority of work is at main program site

ADDITIONAL EXPECTATIONS

• Represent Reality Changers positively in all public and private settings.
• Provide positive encouragement to students and instructors in all public and private settings.
• Exemplify commitment to Reality Changers’ mission and values.

TRAVEL / HOURS

• Some travel within San Diego will be expected.
• Regular evening and occasional weekend work will be expected.
• Key organizational dates for mandatory attendance.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

• A valid driver’s license and/or reliable transportation to and from site location(s), Reality Changers’ headquarters, and related events.
• Ability to transport students home if they do not have alternative transportation (split within team).
• Clear Tuberculosis Test (TB) or ability to obtain medical clearance
• A job offer of employment is contingent upon completion of our pre-employment screening process.

SALARY / BENEFITS

As a candidate for this position, starting salary and related elements of compensation will be contingent upon work experience, education, job-related skills, and any other factors Reality Changers considers relevant factors to the hiring decisions for this position. The starting rate for this position is $26.44 per hour.

No benefits included for this part-time position.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This job requires the ability to sit, use hands and arms to perform repetitive motions. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus. It requires moderate dexterity, application of basic skills (calculator, keyboard, hand-eye coordination, etc.) and the ability to bend or stand as necessary.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

At Reality Changers, we believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion (D.E.I.) are connected to our mission and critical to the well-being of our staff and our community. In 2021, we were recognized as an “Outstanding Organization for Diversity & Inclusion” by the Association of Fundraising Professionals San Diego Chapter.

Reality Changers serves first-generation youth from low-income backgrounds and from groups who are traditionally under-represented on college campuses—such as Black, Latinx, Indigenous, LGBT+, Immigrant and/or undocumented communities. Because we believe that these communities must be centered in the work we do, we strongly encourage applications from people with these identities and/or backgrounds.

TO APPLY

To apply, please submit the following to jobs@realitychangers.org by February 25:

• A thoughtful cover letter outlining your interest in the position and how your qualifications align with the above requirements and Reality Changers’ focus and mission.
• Current resume
• This non-exempt position is eligible for appointment at $26.44 hourly.

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible, as interviews will be scheduled on a rolling basis. The anticipated start date is as soon as possible.

Applicants who identify as first-generation college students/graduates are especially encouraged to apply.

PLEASE NOTE

• No phone calls.
• Relocation is not available.
• All prospective staff will be fingerprinted and must pass a TB and criminal background check.

For more information, please visit www.realitychangers.org