Graduation Candidate Advocate

Job description

The Role The Graduation Candidate Advocate is at the heart of our mission, building meaningful relationships with students to support their journey toward earning their high school diploma. Graduation Candidate Advocates act as mentors and advocates, providing both academic and non-academic support while fostering an environment where students feel valued and empowered. This role is highly relationship-driven and persistence-focused, requiring consistent outreach, problem-solving, and a commitment to understanding and removing barriers that prevent students from attending and progressing. This role is ideal for recent graduates or early-career professionals looking to build experience in education, student support, or case management. Key Responsibilities Enrollment Assist with the registration and enrollment process for new students. Provide comprehensive support during student orientation to set the stage for success. Retention and Attendance Act as a case manager for a designated cohort of students, monitoring and documenting regular attendance. Implement the Acceleration Academy Retention Protocol through proactive outreach (e.g., texts, calls, home visits). Utilize technology tools for efficient daily monitoring and maintenance of student attendance and retention records. Recruitment Contribute to canvassing and recruitment efforts to attract new students. Academics Deliver one-on-one academic support and interventions to facilitate student learning and complement the work of center professionals. Collaborate closely with the student support team to track learning pathways, monitor behavior, and implement transition plans, including incentive programs to bolster student achievement. Utilize the Learning Management System and other technology resources to monitor and facilitate student progress and maintain up-to-date academic records, including attendance. Engage in professional development activities to enhance academic support practices. Advocacy Advocate for students by assisting in identifying solutions and connecting them to academy staff for academic and non-academic support. Operations Provide daily operational support for the academy, such as answering phones and maintaining student records. Participate actively in academy meetings and school or community events. Perform other duties as assigned to support the overall mission of the academy. What We’re Looking For Education: Associate degree required, or Completion of at least 2 years of study at an accredited institution of higher education, OR A passing score on the ParaPro Exam (state- or district-approved assessment demonstrating readiness to assist in reading, writing, and math instruction). Experience: 0-2 years of relevant experience in educational support, case management, or working with at-risk youth. Skills: Strong relationship-building, excellent communication, adaptability, and the ability to work collaboratively in a dynamic environment. Passion: A genuine commitment to supporting students who have disengaged from traditional schooling and a drive to help them succeed. Technology: Proficiency with learning management systems and educational technology tools. Preferred Qualifications Bilingual skills (Spanish preferred!) Experience in non-traditional educational settings. Comfort with project-based and competency-based learning approaches. Why Join Us? Being part of Acceleration Academies means joining a team that’s dedicated to transforming student outcomes. Here, you’ll directly impact students’ lives, championing their growth, resilience, and path to graduation. We Value Our Team’s Well-being We prioritize the holistic well-being of our team members and their families through comprehensive benefits: Competitive Compensation: S tarting at $18.00 an hour Retirement Savings: 401(k) plan with up to a 4% company match to help secure your future. Comprehensive Insurance Coverage: Medical, Dental, Vision, FSA, Company Paid Life Insurance, Supplemental Life Insurance, Disability Insurance, Hospital Indemnity, Critical Illness, and Accident insurance options are available to protect you and your loved ones. Flexible Paid Time Off: Encouraging a healthy work-life balance through adaptable FTO. Wellness Support: Employer-paid financial wellness programs and access to mental health resources. Employee Referral Incentives: Rewarding you for helping us build a talented team. Professional Development: Certification reimbursement programs to invest in your growth. Bonus Opportunities: Celebrating milestones and achievements with performance-based bonuses. Physical & Work Environment Regularly required to sit, talk, hear, and use hands Occasionally lift up to 20 pounds Work in a collaborative classroom or office setting and may involve exposure to outdoor weather during events Occasional travel between nearby academy sites may be required to support student needs or operational coverage Ready to Make a Difference? If you’re passionate about making a meaningful impact and shaping the future of education, we’d love to hear from you. Join us in redefining what’s possible for students everywhere. Third-Party Agency & Recruiter Notice for Acceleration Academies Agencies presenting candidates must have an active, nonexpired Master Services Agreement and be formally engaged by an Acceleration Academies Recruiter. Resumes submitted outside these terms will be considered the property of Acceleration Academies. Equal Opportunity Employer Acceleration Academies is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. All roles at Acceleration Academies include core responsibilities that are fundamental to student success and overall academy operations. Applicants should carefully review the job description to ensure they can meet these requirements. Essential duties typically include: • Consistent, reliable attendance during scheduled work hours • On-site presence (for roles designated as in-person/onsite) • Management of assigned workload and productivity expectations • Ability to perform job functions in an open, student-centered workspace If you believe you may need a reasonable accommodation to perform the essential functions of the role, Acceleration Academies will engage in an interactive process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Please note that accommodations cannot remove essential job functions or fundamentally alter the nature of the role. About Acceleration Academies At Acceleration Academies, we believe in transforming the lives of students who have disengaged from traditional schooling to achieve their high school diploma through personalized, flexible learning and innovative educational practices, we empower young adults to earn their high school diploma tuition-free. Partnering with school districts nationwide, our dropout recovery and student re-engagement programs are supported by cutting-edge technology and a commitment to compassionate, impactful teaching.