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College Writing Coach (Fall 2026)
New York, NYPosted 3 days ago
Contractremote
Job Description
College Writing Coach (Fall 2026)
Department: High School
Employment Type: Contract / Temp
Location: New York, NY
Compensation: $25.00 / hour
Description
ABOUT BREAKTHROUGH NEW YORK
Breakthrough New York empowers motivated students from low-income communities to achieve a college degree and reach their fullest potential. Our tuition-free program supports over 500 students and their families from 7th grade through college. We accept middle school students who are furthest from high-quality educational opportunities yet show promise and potential: 99% of students identify as persons of color; 76% qualify for free or reduced lunch; and 66% will be the first in their families to graduate college.
As a ten-year program, Breakthrough New York supports students and their families through key transition points in their academic journeys. We provide academic enrichment through summer and after-school opportunities; coach students to gain admissions into selective high schools and colleges, and expose students to diverse interests and careers so they can shape their own trajectories.
In addition to nurturing individual talent, we cultivate a thriving community of like-minded peers and mentors who encourage each other’s ambitions and passions. Personalized mentorship and holistic support are signature elements of our model, with over 200 near-peer seasonal staff and volunteers who work with students at each stage of our continuum.
The Breakthrough model works: over 98% of Breakthrough students graduate from college preparatory high schools, and 100% are on track to graduate from college. Learn more at Breakthrough NY's website.
ABOUT THE POSITION
As a College Writing Coach, you will guide the success of Breakthrough New York high school students by supporting them through their college application writing process. Working with a small cohort of (8-12) seniors, coaches will manage the idea generation, drafting, and editing process of personal and supplemental essays throughout the application season. This will require reporting to the Director of College Guidance to optimize personalized writing advisement—with an eye towards selective and highly selective holistic college admissions. College Writing Coaches will be working with students from July 27, 2026 - December/January
YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES WILL INCLUDE
College Admissions Writing Support and Advising (90%)
- 1:1 college writing support for 8-12 students. Support will be defined by both 1:1 meetings and/or offline writing and editing support. The number of students may vary depending on the month and student/program needs; .
- Supporting open college writing workspaces in person through 1:1 and small group advising.
- Completing 10-12 hours of mandatory training (plus optional professional development opportunities).
- Receiving feedback constructively in order to improve performance.
- Tracking and reporting student meeting outcomes.
General High School Program Support (10%)
- Offering onsite supplementary support during 2-4 Saturday program dates throughout the first half of the academic year.
- Dates/location/details will be shared at training.
- Other duties as assigned.
Breakthrough New York is an equal-opportunity employer. We encourage applicants who represent the communities we serve.
We're Looking for Someone Who:
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree required; master’s degree preferred
- Passionate about supporting low-income and first-generation students through the college application process.
- Ideally, has some experience with college application writing or admissions evaluation for first generation, low-income student contexts.
- Values storytelling, self-expression, and the power of words and personal narrative(s)
- Takes a strengths-based and growth-mindset approach to student development and mentorship.
- Excellent listener and loves asking open-ended questions.
- Understands the importance of timely data collection and management.
- Will respond to email, phone calls, and texts from students and staff within 24-48 hours.
- Can commit to working between July 27, 2026 - December/January
- Knowledgeable with MS Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint in particular), Google Suite, Zoom, and comfortable learning educational and CRM systems.
- Demonstrates commitment to in BTNY’s Core Values
WRITING COACH CALENDAR + TIME COMMITMENT
This role requires approximately 125 hours of paid work including:
This role requires approximately 125 hours of paid work including:
- 10-12 hours of College Writing Coach Training:
- July 14, 2025 - July 19, 2025 (remote and in-person, synchronous and asynchronous, not full day trainings).
- Can commit to working between July 27, 2026 - December/January TKTKTK
- Up to 16 hours of in-person programming across 2-4 Saturdays throughout the first half of the academic year, 10am-2pm; these dates would be shared well in advance.
- Up to 100 hours of total writing support from July to mid-January (remote and/or asynchronous).
- Ongoing professional development opportunities around higher education policy, college admissions and access, and writing/editing.
Compensation:
BTNY strongly believes in selecting the top, qualified candidates. As a part of your offer, you can expect coaches will be compensated at a rate of $25/hour