College and Career Coach

Curtis High School (105 Hamilton Avenue)

45k-50k

Position Summary:

At Children's Aid, we believe that all kids have limitless potential. Our dedicated staff provide comprehensive supports for nearly 50,000 children and families in targeted, under-resourced New York City neighborhoods. We know what it takes to ensure children grow up strong and healthy, and ready to thrive in school and life: excellent education and health care, social-emotional support, and strong, stable families.

The Children's Aid Community School at Curtis High School creates a welcoming environment where students can access a network of college and career supports and resources, as soon as they become a part of the school community. Using a comprehensive approach, students receive consistent exposure to Higher Educational Institutions and Post-Secondary College and Career Opportunities through hands-on coaching and support. The College Coach is responsible for providing advocacy and mentorship to a case load of High School Students to ensure that students leave High School with a strong post-secondary plan and are college and career ready. Building off of the belief that college and career exploration should begin as early as possible, the College and Career Coach is responsible for overseeing the DYCD funded Mentorship Program, an afterschool program serving approximately 40 students each year. The College and Career Coach works to recruit mentors, organize community service opportunities, plan monthly outings and create and deliver a life skills curriculum to prepare students for success after High School. The college and career coach reports to the Community School Director.

Essential Duties:

• Create college and career exploration experiences for lower grade levels (9^th and 10^th) and provide college and career coaching and support for upper grade levels (11^th and 12^th)
• Provide intensive one-on-one college and career counseling to a caseload of students, ensuring that each young person understands all of the college options (CUNY, SUNY, HBCU and private schools), completes college applications, submits their financial aid application(s), explores different career paths and career options, participates in out-of-school enrichment/college prep/career opportunities, and enrolls in college or secures an opportunity in a career of their choosing
• Develop and implement interventions for 9^th grade students, in need of extra support, to ensure they have the skills and knowledge needed to succeed after High School
• Track academic progress and credit completion for your caseload of students; connect students to tutoring as needed
• Collect and organize student documents and maintain student files
• Meet with parents and caregivers to facilitate 1-1 and large group college and career related parent workshops; work with Curtis High School Parent Coordinators to support and co-lead related school wide workshops and events
• Provide summer advisement for students transitioning out of High School
• Serve as an advisor to student clubs, as needed
• Conduct student workshops on topics related to college access and success and career readiness
• Partner with the Assistant Principals and Student Organizations to help plan, support and participate in student led school-wide events
• Conduct trainings and information sessions for CBO and school staff on college and career related topics
• Enter and maintain student level data to gain an understanding of how students are progressing towards their goals
• Use data to implement new programs and strategies to help students prepare for success after High School
• Plan, organize and chaperone field trips and group retreats
• Attend Children's Aid's Curtis High School team meetings, and other agency workshops, trainings and events as requested
• Perform other relevant duties, as assigned by the Program Director and Community School Director

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree with 2-3 years' experience working with young people in a Community Based Organization and/or School Setting
• Experience counseling students on College and Career Access and Success

Key Competencies:

• Knowledge of Post-Secondary options for HS graduates including information on SUNYs, CUNYs, Private Universities, HBCUs, vocational schools, work readiness programs and career opportunities and pathways
• Strong advocacy and mentoring skills; able to engage a broad and diverse group of people as needed
• Strong speaking and facilitation skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to establish harmonious relationships with team members
• Strong written, research and computer skills
• Quick learner, self-motivated with the capacity to work on a team, as well as independently
• Proven track record in applying Positive Youth Development Framework and using data to inform and improve practice
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred
• Occasional Evening and Weekend hours