Working Title 2026-27 Next Step Adviser (Multiple Vacancies)
Location High school(s) located throughout Western NC (please see Essential Job Functions for possible locations)
Position Number TBD 2026
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
License/Certification Required
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
The Office of Rural Promise (ORP) housed in the Office of Research and Innovation (ORI) builds partnerships to solve big challenges in rural communities; designs and implements services that impact rural students, families and educators; conducts evaluation and research on its programs to share with the field and recommends strategies and policy. Our team brings together rural leaders and leverages the existing strengths and innovations in our communities.
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.
Number of Hours Per Week 40 hours/week for 11 month period. Advisers typically serve for 2 years.
Number of Months Per Year 11
Mandatory Staff No
Physical Demands of Position
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
Hiring Range $35,000-$41,000 (11-month living allowance)
Posting Date 01/12/2026
Closing Date 02/01/2027
Open Until Filled No
Applicant Pool Preference External (Post on the Web)
Special Instructions to Applicants
- Proposed Hire Date: July 20, 2026
- Appalachian State seniors and alumni who meet the qualifications and are interested in a "gap year(s)” experience are strongly encouraged to apply.
Please attach required documents:
- Resume
- Cover Letter
- Provide a minimum of 3 professional references in the application or attach a List of References with Contact Information
Optional document to attach:
- Unofficial Undergraduate Transcripts
Quick Link https://appstate.peopleadmin.com/postings/52913
Posting Number 201501036P
Read Full Description