Description

KIPP Forward Director of College & Career Counseling  

Position Summary  

The KIPP Forward Director of College & Career Counseling (DCC) is responsible for leading a school-based College & Career Counseling Department. It is the ultimate goal of the College & Career Counseling Department to support students in choosing the best post secondary pathway that is aligned to their interests, passions, and career of highest aspiration.  For many, college is the pathway but it may also include pursuing a trade, vocational program or enlisting in the military.  

The DCC is responsible for building relationships with the school leadership team, KIPP Forward leadership team, KIPP Foundation, national and local organizations and college/universities that will lead to resources for students. The DCC is charged with keeping the college & career counseling program woven into all aspects of their school and to ensure that the program does not work in isolation from the school’s mission.  

This role leads the College & Career Counseling Department in college & career counseling, curriculum planning and the postsecondary match process. The team is responsible for meeting high expectations for student postsecondary program application and matriculation goals, as well as ensuring Free Application for Federal Student Aid/CA Dream Act Application (FAFSA/CADAA) completion. The DCC also serves as the primary liaison between their school and the KIPP Forward Team.  

Reporting to the High School Leader, the DCC will work out of a specific school 4 days a week and 1 day from the closest RSO office (Oakland or SJ).  The DCC will also receive coaching from the Associate Director of Postsecondary Match, as well as participate in weekly DCC Community of Practice.  

Preferred Qualifications  

Experience:  

• 4+ years of College Match/College Admissions Experience (preferably in CA) 
• 2-3 years of teaching experience (preferred) 
• Experience in leading high-performance teams and managing a diverse team 
• Track record of success working with high school students/families in the college counseling process
• Track record of success in managing and supervising adults
• Previous experience in using data to drive decision making 

Education:  

• Bachelor’s Degree required. Master’s degree preferred.

Knowledge/skills required:  

• Significant knowledge of College Access for first generation, educationally underserved college graduates from historically marginalized communities

• Demonstrated sensitivity to and an understanding of the diverse academic, socio-economic, cultural, disability, and ethnic backgrounds of student populations
• Strong working knowledge of student database systems preferred 
• Positivity, optimism and a solutions-oriented mindset
• Unquestioned integrity and commitment to KIPP Northern California’s mission and values
• Commitment to working with educationally underserved students and families from historically marginalized communities
• Commitment to continuously learning how to lead for equity to ensure students and teammates thrive
• Ability to self-direct and prioritize among competing goals and to initiate process improvements
• Goal-oriented, with strong initiative and creative problem-solving skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to work with a wide-range of people including teachers, counselors, parents, students, and administration teams
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills
• Extreme flexibility, strong work ethic and an entrepreneurial spirit to accommodate joining a growing and constantly improving team 

Essential Functions and Responsibilities  

Management and Coaching  

• Manage a team of high school based College & Career Counselors (CC) at the school site, completing weekly One-on-One Check-ins with each direct report (11th and 12th grade counselors)
• Engage in all parts of the performance management process, including 2x2x2, Mid-year and end of year performance evaluation using the Performance & Development Plan (PDP)
• Observe CC leading student and/or family meetings and provide feedback with a clear action step to improve counseling 
• Equip counselors with caseload management tools and strategies to integrate use into their day to day workflow, ensuring tracking and data collection is happening on time and to a high standard.
• Complete classroom observations of Jr and Sr Seminar Counselors and provide feedback with a clear action step to strengthen content delivery
• Manage team conflict and student related issues
• Lead hiring process for College & Career Counselor when positions become available

Lead Postsecondary Match Strategy  

• Lead the Bottoms up Goal Setting process with HS match team and develop annual strategic plan for meeting the match goals
• Plan & facilitate monthly Match Meetings 
• Develop and lead execution of parent engagement strategy, related to the postsecondary match work 
• Ensure implementation of the Career Integration plan
• Collaborate with SpEd team to align support for students with IEPs, including transition plans 
• Lead progress monitoring & data analysis for school specific KIPP Forward data that will allow the department to identify focus areas: Persistence and Match Data Trends, Ethnicity/Sub-groups Trends, GPA Segment Trends
• Support the development of strategy as we reimagine our counseling services to reflect our new KIPP vision & mission.  This work includes but is not limited to integrating career into Seminar Curriculum & ensuring vertical alignment across grade levels
• Track and maintain student college & career data (GPA, test scores, postsecondary program wish lists, letters of recommendations, internships, etc.) using regional spreadsheets, Overgrad, Salesforce, and additional platforms
• Plan and participate in consistent one-on-one meetings with KIPP Forward Associate Director of Postsecondary Match 
• Monitor student placement in summer opportunities/programs/internships

• Lead planning and execution of major events with the support of match and career team- including College/CTE Program Rep Visits, College & Career Success Nights, College trips, CTE tours/site visits, Teacher Recommendation workshop, and Senior Signing Day
• Facilitate and encourage collaboration between KIPP Forward and campus stakeholders, including school leadership, faculty, and staff to continually improve student outcomes 
• Plan and deliver presentations to school staff 2-4 times a year (KIPP Forward data/relevant topics)
• Collaborate with the KIPP Forward Postsecondary Team to ensure a strong transition for all students
• Develop and maintain relationships with local community based organization, postsecondary programs, colleges and universities’ admissions office
• Communicate with admissions representatives to discuss student applications
• Advocate on behalf of students with college & career partners
• Ensure students and parents are aware of their postsecondary options and what they need to do to be successful
• Liaison to the KIPP Foundation regarding college match initiatives
• Provide input to DSO/DSIM regarding the course advising process
• Provide input to school leadership and regional registrar regarding student progress to graduation requirements
• Attend regional and national conferences relating to college access, career readiness, and match

Professional Development  

• Plan and lead weekly College & Career Counseling Department Meetings
• Provide CC department on-going PD both at school site and at regional CC convenings (CoPs, regional learning days, etc)
• Lead CKCS Implementation across 9th-12th grade
• Serve as the Junior/Senior Seminar Content Team Co-Lead, leading modifications to the courses long term plan 
• Review lesson plans and provide feedback to strengthen content delivery 
• Review unit plans, provide feedback to ensure effective content delivery as well as the structure to conduct O3s
• Ensure all CKCS assessments and feedback surveys are completed 
• Support in the development of the regional long term plan for 9th and 10th grade
• Lead 9-10th grade CKCS curriculum facilitators to create their scope & sequence for the year, ensuring all CKCS lessons are included 
• Serve as support to 9-10th grade facilitators throughout the year, ensuring they have access to all curriculum materials 
• Participate in weekly/monthly professional development opportunities facilitated by the KIPP
  Foundation 

• Support AD of Postsecondary Match with KIPP Forward Regional Learning Sessions
• Attend and participate in all KIPP Forward team meetings/professional development sessions
  
  

Other duties as assigned  

• If there is a world where this role will be substitute teaching for Junior and Senior Seminar courses,  they will be required to have a clear background clearance by the state’s licensing body (hold a Certificate of Clearance) and at minimum a substitute teaching permit)

Physical, Mental and Environmental Demands  

Physical: Ability to navigate office and school campuses, and hold meetings in different spaces. Traditionally, much of the day involves sitting. Ability to access and utilize technology. Occasional lifting/carrying of equipment 1-20 lbs. Physical agility to move self in various positions in order to execute duties effectively, which may include kneeling, walking, pushing/pulling, squatting, twisting, turning, bending, stooping and reaching overhead  

Mental: Stress of deadlines and normal work standards, ability to analyze problems and generate alternatives, work with interruptions, concentrate for long periods of time, read, calculate, perform routine math problems, memorize and recall objects and people.  

Environmental: School and classroom environment subject to constant interruptions and distractions. Adhere to KIPP’s health and safety guidelines as outlined by the CDC, CDE, and public health agencies’ recommendations.  

Classification  

This is a full-time, exempt position based on a school calendar and time off, located in our school with occasional travel to schools and districts.  

Compensation  

KIPP Northern California is dedicated to you and your family's well-being! We offer a competitive salary as well as a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, and transportation benefits.  

We benchmark annually against comparably-sized non-profit organizations in the regions where we operate, to offer competitive salaries. The salary range for this position is between $92,000 - $102,000.   

How to Apply  

Please submit a cover letter and resume by clicking apply on this page.  

Questions? Email [email protected]