Academy Instructor

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 Academy Instructor leads cohorts of high school seniors through the college application process and is responsible for delivering a comprehensive, weekly curriculum dedicated to enhancing 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 Academy Instructor reports to the Director, School Programs.

BENCHMARKS / GOALS / MEASURES OF SUCCESS:

• 100% of students apply to a two-year or four-year college or university with the support of the instructor.
• 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.
• Recruit students to fill each assigned section to capacity and ensure 80% of students are retained throughout the 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

1. Instruction and academic counseling for students in College Apps Academy:

• Lead up to 4 classes (sections) of 20-25 students through the entire college application process by learning and enthusiastically delivering the College Apps Academy curriculum.
• Deliver weekly group presentations/lectures, as well as individual counseling and support to Academy students.
• Work with students to develop competitive application essays that best reflect their stories, talents, and abilities.
• Provide direct service: weekly instruction at Lincoln, CVLCC (JA), and Morse and maintain predetermined program number of students per site.
• Identifying barriers, obstacles, or reasons for academic underachievement and based on these reasons, develop tactics, strategies, and practices to keep students motivated.
• Be able to troubleshoot issues related to student applications such as personal, academic, and financial aid information as well as application instructions and requirements.
• Assist with researching colleges appropriate for each student and helping students to secure recommendations and transcripts.
• Regularly promote Reality Changers/College Apps Academy events, college-going culture, and scholarship opportunities for students.
• Be available for students and parents during designated office hours, weekends, and seasonal high-demand times like October and November.
• Collaborate effectively with parents, guardians, teachers, counselors, school administrators, and other community resources regarding students with different issues.
• Personal college guidance counseling with students dealing with going to college, leaving home, overcoming doubt, financial issues, and self-confidence.

2. General program administration:

• Provide weekly feedback and collaborate with Academy staff to review and update two-year and four- year college curriculum.
• Assist in recruitment of students and parents/guardians to College Apps Academy.
• Maintain student progress with academic performance, college selection, and college choice.
• Maintain paper and/or online files for each student (e.g. transcripts, college acceptance letters, grant-related documents, financial aid award letters, etc.)
• Participate in weekly team meetings (both remotely and in-person) and provide ongoing feedback and ideas for improvement.
• Attend and participate in Reality Changers’ special events, such as (but not limited to) summer leadership camp, college forums, job shadow week, and the end-of school year scholarship celebrations.
• Attend a minimum of 2 delegation, fundraising, or community service outings per fiscal year.
• Assist with the operations of Reality Changers’ office headquarters, programs, and events e.g. College Town projects and organization-wide events.
• Register as a van driver for program event attendance/student transportation needs.

3. Maintain positive organizational messaging through community and school relations:

• Build and maintain the College Apps Academy brand throughout southern California by targeting parents, guardians, students, teachers, counselors, school administrators, ongoing partnerships, and other external groups through coordination of special events, advocacy campaigns, meetings and presentations.
• Assist the team in the stewardship of new partners and implementation of strategies to promote College Apps Academy and Reality Changers’ core programs, achievements and activities.
• Perform other duties as needed.

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four-year college or university is required.
• Teaching/college admissions experience is preferred.

KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS / ABILITIES

• Strong classroom presentation skills are highly preferred.
• Fluency in Spanish is preferred.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills; effectively presents information and responds to questions from prospective clients, students, parents, schools, and community officials.
• Ability to relate well and network with various types of individuals e.g. parents and school officials.
• Strong attention to detail and good follow through.
• Exceptional organization skills and dedication to detail, with experience managing multiple deadlines and complex assignments.
• Must be highly adaptive, versatile, and responsible, even when confronted with ambiguity.
• Ability to be based remotely meanwhile maintaining strong communication and delivering key outcomes.
• Familiarity with the California Community College system is a plus.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Plan and organize work.
• Meet schedules and time lines.
• Maintain records.
• Read, apply, and explain rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Knowledge and proficiency in Microsoft Office, G Suite, Zoom, and email systems. Experience in Salesforce is a plus.

ADDITIONAL EXPECTATIONS

• Represent Reality Changers in a positive manner 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

• Frequent travel within San Diego will be expected.
• Regular weekend and evening work will be expected.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

• A valid driver’s license and/or reliable transportation to and from site location(s), Reality Changers’ headquarters, and related events.
• 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.

Benefits for this position include a 403(b) plan, medical, dental and vision coverage, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, paid holidays, annual $500 professional development stipend, paid sick leave, paid parental leave and unlimited flexible paid time off.

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. Reality Changers employees are temporarily operating in a hybrid model—working in-person from the office and remotely from home.

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 April 24, 2026:

• 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 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 May 2026. 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 criminal background check.

For more information, please visit www.realitychangers.org