College Engagement Coordinator (BECA) – NYC
Every school . . . safe, supportive, engaging, and inspiring.
About Community Schools
Community Schools offer a holistic approach toward improving academic performance driven by strong, collaborative partnerships among principals, parents, teachers, and CBOs. An integral part of this approach is the blending of school- and community-based services into the school day, such as health, mental health, counseling, and academic enrichment. The De Blasio administration believes that Community Schools are instrumental in helping schools catch up or leap ahead, and in putting all of our students on the path to four-year colleges and long-term careers.
The Community Schools in New York City will use key strategies to help students achieve success:
· Meaningful family involvement in decision making around student needs
· Meaningful interactions with community-based services and programs
· Maximization of academic programming, college and career preparation, and extended weekend and afterschool programming
· Robust data monitoring and attendance taking practices
Who You Are
You are passionate about working with schools to build their capacity to offer effective programs to positively impact our youth and their families. You bring a wealth of skills and experiences in the field of education and post-secondary access, while also identifying yourself as a lifelong learner who is regularly seeking opportunities to grow your skills. You crave opportunities to be reflective about your practice and look forward to receiving feedback to support your continued growth.
You are a thoughtful planner and communicator and strive for excellence in all that you do. You are highly adaptable and ready to do work in ways that work best for the school you serve. You find energy in working directly with schools and collaborating with colleagues in service of implementing and advancing best practices. You are comfortable with and skilled at working in diverse school settings, with students, family members, teachers, principals, and other school staff. You thrive in an environment where collaborating with colleagues is valued and also thrive working independently. You are highly emotionally intelligent.
You have a systems-oriented approach and are always looking for ways to continually improve your practices. You care deeply about creating a more just society and believe that improving schools is fundamental to that effort. You are committed to diversity, inclusion, and equity. More than anything else, you want to make a difference.
The Role
As the College Engagement Coordinator (CEC) you will be responsible for working in collaboration with and under the direction of the Community School Director in a 6-12 school in the Bronx, NY. The CEC will provide comprehensive services that include early college and career awareness activities, personalized college application support to achieve best "fit" acceptances for students, guidance with the financial aid process to secure financial aid packages that make college success achievable, transition to college workshops, and alumni opportunities. The CEC will guide students to overcome personal, cultural, and financial barriers to college success and will work closely with principals and teachers to create a college-going culture that raises parent and student expectations.
What You’ll Do
· Be knowledgeable and research-oriented about colleges and universities, gap-year, and other postsecondary opportunities, including programs for students with disabilities to achieve best "fit" acceptances for students.
· Manage the college, postsecondary planning, and financial aid process for all graduating seniors to ensure that 100% of graduates have an attainable postsecondary plan
· Network with college admissions professionals to improve school visibility and reputation leading to the active recruitment of our students by colleges and universities
· Execute with fidelity college/post-secondary related activities, including classroom presentations, student workshops, parent meetings, trips to college fairs, and college trips for all grade levels
· Manage college transition throughout the academic year, including summer
· Lead the implementation of a post-secondary learning sequence in each grade, with actionable steps for post-secondary awareness though application, decision-making, and financial-aid options.
· Support student recruitment for maximum participation in external academic enrichment, internship, work based learning, and related programs.
· Manage Naviance database to ensure accurate and timely recordkeeping of all standard program components
· Build and maintain relationships with administration, faculty, staff, students, parents, and community partners throughout the school community to promote student success
· Participate and engage in meetings with faculty and other school-based staff to plan for specific program implementations, problem-solve implementation obstacles, and ensure program sustainability
· Provide ongoing and continuous student support during remote and in-person learning
· Show up with a strong work ethic, attention to detail, and flexibility in a climate of shifting priorities
What You’ve Done
Education:
You’ve earned a bachelor’s degree in education, youth services, social work, or a related field and have possibly pursued your graduate degree in social work, school counseling, or a related field. You have extensive knowledge in college access, higher education, and/or an educational non-profit.
Professional Experiences and Personal Qualities/Skills:
You have strong technology skills, including Naviance, Google Suite, and Google Classroom. Bilingual skills (English and Spanish) are a plus. You have demonstrated exceptional abilities to problem solve, plan, and prioritize. You have a “roll-up-your-sleeves” entrepreneurial, startup attitude. You the proven ability to work in a fast-paced environment managing multiple projects. You possess a high level of interpersonal and cross-cultural skills, including the ability to build relationships internally and externally and to manage effective teams.
In addition, you have likely demonstrated the following attributes:
· Demonstrated experience with college admissions/counseling at the secondary school or collegiate level
· Strong strategic thinking and program management skills
· Ability to produce significant and sustained programmatic results and improvements
· Ability to perform simple to complex data analyses
· Experience working with diverse student populations
· Understanding and commitment towards the mission, with determined delivery of service.
· Experience working with New York City students from diverse socioeconomic, racial, and ethnic backgrounds.
· Knowledge of barriers faced by low income, first generation, college bound students.
· Entrepreneurial, creative, and ambitious, with a love for both creating new programs and realizing the full potential for existing efforts
· Excellent writing, editing, and communication skills
· Exceptional interpersonal and organizational skills
· Demonstrated ability to communicate one-to-one, in small groups, and in public speaking contexts
· Ability to interact well with a high-performing, mission-driven BECA/CSS staff.
· Ability to collaborate effectively with the high school's administration, faculty, and staff.
· Willingness to travel and host evening events, periodically.
· Highly effective time-management, goal-setting, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
· Ability to use discretion and judgment in handling confidential and sensitive information
· Knowledgeable in technology, specifically in Microsoft Suite and Google Suite (specifically Google Classroom and Google Meet).
Location
The College Engagement Coordinator will be based at Bronx Early College Academy (BECA) located in Bronx, New York. Occasional travel to New Jersey will be necessary for trainings and other CSS staff events.
Schedule, Salary, and Benefits
The anticipated starting date for this position is February 2021, with the position term lasting through June 30, 2021. There is potential for this position to continue thereafter dependent on budget and partnership needs. The salary range for this position is $50,000 - $63,000. CSS offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits plan, including health, dental and vision insurance and a 403(b) plan with employer match.
To Apply
Interested applicants are requested to apply immediately by emailing a cover letter and CV/résumé to resumes@supportiveschools.org. Please include (1) the title of the position in the subject line of your email, (2) where you found the position posting in your cover letter, and (3) your salary requirements (this is required; if you provide a range, only the lowest end of that range will be considered). Please email all documents in PDF format. Black people, Indigenous people, and other people of color are strongly encouraged to apply. NYC Department of Education fingerprinting and background clearances will be required.
Center for Supportive Schools is an equal opportunity employer committed to inclusive hiring and dedicated to diversity, inclusion, and equity in its work and staff. CSS’s Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action related policies are available upon request.