College Specialist (Contractual)

We LINK students who have been historically underrepresented in higher education especially Black students with the resources and support needed for success as they advance to through and beyond college.

Chicagos educational system amplifies persistent inequities creating a significant college completion gap for historically underrepresented students particularly Black students. LINKs goal is to mitigate the effect of these systemic and structural forces by improving and increasing access to educational opportunities and college completion for students who have been historically underrepresented in higher education especially Black youth in Chicago. By equipping our Scholars with the knowledge skills resources and social equity that further college completion and career placement LINK is increasing the economic mobility and stability of historically underrepresented students and cultivating a diverse leadership pipeline for our city.

Since 1966 we have successfully supported over 2500 low- to moderate-income the 2025-2026 academic year we will serve 300 Scholars (Jr. LINK High School & Collegiate Scholars). Our Scholars represent more than 60 Chicagoland neighborhoods with a focus on ten South and West Side communities: Auburn Gresham Austin Bronzeville Englewood Garfield Park Greater Grand Crossing North Lawndale Roseland South Shore and Washington Park.

Looking to make a difference by linking students to opportunities so they can take a new pathone that leads to their full potential and our citys vibrant future Then join our team!

Position Summary

The College Specialist plays a critical role in supporting the college access programming for our Scholars. The College Specialist is a college access expert who will support and guide a caseload of 10-15 seniors through the college application and admissions journey. College Specialists will support our Project College curriculum meeting with each Scholar in their caseload monthly to discuss college and scholarship applications advise on college selection based on LINK programmatic criteria and offer college counseling services based on Scholar academic profile interests family preferences and other fit factors. College Specialists will work closely with the Director College Access & Support to ensure our Scholars apply and are admitted to selective or highly selective colleges and universities setting them up to graduate from college with the least amount of debt.

Caseload Management

• Execute the LINK Project College Curriculum.
• Meet with Scholars on caseload monthly for one-hour sessions from September through June to discuss monthly topics and provide college counseling services such as insight on and follow-up around next steps resource-sharing as necessary FAFSA support assessing progress in college and scholarship application goals etc. Note: select sessions include Mentors and/or Families.
• Submit case notes and Scholar progress accurately and on time in Salesforce and/or other trackers.
• Collect and document data related to the outcomes of Scholars college applications (e.g. college applications financial aid & scholarship award letters etc.) in Excel tracker AND LINKs online database management system.
• Create college decision reports/suggestions for each Scholar on caseload.
• Lead Scholar/Family/Mentor outreach (including pre-session reminders and post-session homework communications) initial engagement interventions and decision meetings for caseload.
• Identify Scholars who require additional interventions and work with the LINK liaison to support them.
• Ensure the dissemination and collection of all Scholar feedback surveys after each counseling session.
• Complete all requested feedback forms and surveys.

Training/Development

• Attend 2 mandatory College Specialist orientation onboarding trainings at the LINK office in downtown Chicago:
  • Tuesday August 11 from 5:30-7:30pm
  • Wednesday August 19 from 5:30-7:30pm
• Attend mandatory in-person meet and greet with senior Scholars on October 17th 2026 from 2:00p-3:30p.
• Debrief Project College sessions and Scholar progress with LINK staff 3 times per year via phone or Zoom after each to share best practices and insights receive feedback and reflect on improvements for future program implementation.

Work Schedule

Part-time during the evenings and weekends. Specialists will utilize a scheduling platform to mark their availability and set up appointments with their caseloads monthly. The term for this role is September 2026 - June 2027.

Compensation

Specialists will be compensated based on sessions held with Scholars and can anticipate working 1.5 hours per Scholar per month (totaling 15 hours for a caseload of 10 Scholars) in addition to the above-mentioned trainings debriefs required events and additional data-logging time during high volume seasons of the cycle (March April). The hourly rate is $29/hour and Specialists may earn up to $3973 over the course of the year.

This is a 1099 independent contractor role. Compensation will be paid monthly upon timely submission of deliverables.

To Apply

Submit your resume and cover letter to Molly Dull Director College Access & Success.

LINK Unlimited Scholars is an equal opportunity employer.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree REQUIRED.
• Minimum of two (2) years of relevant work experience in direct college counseling.
• Strong experience in college counseling with a particular focus on guiding students through the decision process at competitive institutions.
• Experience working with low-income first-generation and/or underrepresented Chicago youth and their families.
• Knowledge and awareness of financial aid supports including navigating the FAFSA competitive scholarships and national and local scholarships.
• Ability to remain flexible and adapt to changing needs and priorities.
• Must live in the Chicagoland area.

Characteristics

• Exemplifies the LINK Unlimited Scholars mission vision and values and acts in accordance with all policies and procedures of the organization.
• Demonstrates a growth mindset and servant leader approach to educating underrepresented youth in Chicago.
• Must have an outgoing and engaging personality and a cheerful and welcoming demeanor.
• Must have a strong work ethic and be a self-starter.
• Must be a creative and forward thinker.
• Must have the utmost integrity and an ability to process protect and exercise discretion in handling confidential information and materials.
• Exercises good judgment with an ability to manage situations with tact and discretion.