BTSV’s tuition-free program provides year-round out-of-school time academic support, counseling, and advocacy for a diverse group of talented students, most of whom come from under-resourced communities and will be the first generation in their family to go to college. Through our students-teaching-students model, BTSV also provides a consummate professional development experience providing talented high school and college students the opportunity to understand the K-12 system and the drivers of educational inequities, and to design and teach classes under the direction of seasoned educators.

Located in San Jose, California, Breakthrough Silicon Valley is an affiliate of The Breakthrough Collaborative, a leading national service organization that acts as the national voice for 24 Breakthrough sites across the country.

The Position

The Temporary Director of College Access and Success (DCAS) leads the strategic implementation of BTSV’s programming activities for our high school and college students to prepare them to gain admission into and succeed in college. BTSV’s high school program combines college readiness workshops, college counseling, academic support, and family education, to help students get and stay on the college track. BTSV’s college pathways program supports BTSV alumni as they build the foundation of college success through their first year college with programming including a pre-college retreat, peer mentoring, and virtual workshops.

As the Temporary DCAS, you’ll develop program strategies and oversee curriculum and workshop material development. You’ll manage a team of four college access and success staff, coaching them to ensure they deliver high-quality, engaging, and impactful programming to accomplish Breakthrough’s mission and objectives, and meet the program’s strategic goals. And for all programs, you’ll own the timely collection of program and student performance data, including attendance, engagement, academic performance, as well as college application and admission data.

The Temporary DCAS reports to BTSV’s VP of Programs and Instruction.

What background and skills do you have?:

• At least 5+ years of academic advising and/or college counseling experience, particularly at a school or organization focused on college access for aspiring first-generation college students and/or students of color.

• Demonstrated expertise in college admissions and financial aid in California; a certificate in college admissions is a plus.

• Experience developing engaging and results-oriented programming and designing curriculum.

• Comfort with public speaking and engaging with diverse audiences.

• At least 2+ years of people management experience, with the ability to hold others to high standards and to achieve measurable results.

• Ability to manage complex projects involving multiple stakeholders and adherence to strict deadlines and precise requirements; knowledge of common project management concepts and tools.

• Comfort with data collection and analysis, student assessment, and program evaluation, using tools such as Microsoft Excel/Google Sheets.

• “Breakthrough Spirit”: You’re a collaborative team player who is committed to excellence and open-minded, demonstrates a growth mindset, thinks creatively to solve problems, and works with a sense of humor and humility.

• Commitment to Breakthrough Silicon Valley’s mission and goals and an unwavering belief in the potential of BTSV students to succeed in rigorous, four-year universities.

• Bachelor’s degree.

Bonus points if you have:

• Bilingual (Spanish or Vietnamese) speaking skills are highly desirable but not required.

• Experience in admissions at a four-year college or university.

• Experience with Salesforce.

We know that many strong candidates will not have all the skills we list. That’s OK. What else do you bring to the table? Please tell us!

Compensation, Location, and Hours

• This is a temporary, full-time, exempt position for up to 18 weeks starting in late August 2023 through December 2023 (parental leave coverage).

• The salary range for director-level positions at BTSV starts at $90,000 annually ($1730 per week). When making salary offers, BTSV takes into consideration the candidate’s qualifications, our budget, and internal equity.

• Paid time off: Access to sick days and most federal holidays.

BTSV maintains two offices in San Jose:

• Bridges Academy: 1702 McLaughlin Ave, San Jose, CA 95122

• Herbert Hoover Middle School: 1635 Park Ave, San Jose, CA 95126

This is a hybrid position. Since the DCAS will be supervising staff who are regularly meeting with students and conducting workshops, you will generally work in person at one of BTSV’s offices three days per week. You will have the flexibility to work from a home office when in-person work is not required.

As BTSV is an “out-of-school time program,” occasional evening and weekend work, as well as travel to offsite programs and events in the San Jose area, are also required.

If you’re interested in the position but are only available part-time or on an alternative hybrid schedule, we still want to hear from you! Please indicate your availability in your cover letter.

COVID-19 Information

BTSV requires all employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 (one dose of Johnson & Johnson, two doses of Moderna, or two doses of Pfizer-BioNTech). Proof of vaccination must be provided prior to your first day of employment. Employees may request an accommodation if they have a qualifying medical condition or on the basis of sincerely held religious beliefs and practices.

BTSV is also continually monitoring the COVID-19 situation locally and will continue to comply with all state, county, city, and/or school district directives on PPE, social distancing, vaccination, and remote work as they evolve.

Application Process

Apply online through this site and attach your resume and cover letter as PDFs. Please indicate where you heard about the position in your cover letter. We will review applications on a rolling basis.

BTSV engages with individuals of all backgrounds and we are committed to embracing diversity within our organization, including developing a team who represents the communities we serve.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, BTSV is committed to providing employment opportunities to all individuals and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.