Job Description
What you need to know:
At KIPP Miami, our mission states that we prepare our students to change the world. This belief and commitment does not end when a student graduates from 8th grade with us. Rather, we are committed to supporting our KIPP Middle School alumni in preparing for, applying to and ultimately access strong postsecondary programs.
The KMSA Match Counselor’s job is to support a college and career ready trajectory for our KIPP alumni students, focusing on students in grades 11th and 12th. We expect our Counselor to build strong and trust relationships with students, as well as families and local high schools, and use effective advising skills to support students in taking all necessary steps to graduate from high school and ultimately matriculate to a post-secondary program of highest aspiration.
Here's what you'll be doing:
Outcomes
- Strong relationships: counselor has strong relationships with students
- Wishlists: students have quality wishlists aligned with their Best Guess Pathway and the Miami postsecondary landscape
- Early Applications: students with strong academic profiles apply early to selective colleges with quality applications, maximizing their likelihood of admission
- Financial Aid: students complete financial aid applications and steps necessary for matriculation to quality post-secondary programs
- College & Career matriculation: students matriculate to quality post-secondary programs, aligned with their long-term career goals
- Avoiding Undermatch: students matriculating to college matriculate to schools with high graduation rates, maximizing their likelihood of college completion
- Avoiding College & Career melt: students who matriculate to quality postsecondary have the foundation and support necessary to avoid barriers to enrollment
12th Grade Match
- Conduct ongoing 1:1 check-ins with caseload of 12th grade students to support them through the application process and to help them maintain momentum for a strong finish to their senior year
- Guide each student through the process of applying to “right fit” colleges and/or career programs using students’ balanced wishlists from 11th grade
- Maintain consistent engagement and partnership with families of 12th grade student
- Support students and families in filling out financial aid applications, scholarship paperwork, and applications to special programs such as EOF
- Complete Letters of Recommendation for students on caseload
- Support students in preparing for and completing key application steps, including interviews and document submission
- Hold College & Career Decision meetings with students and families, sharing key information and guiding students and families in making decisions that are aligned with students’ passion/purpose/plan
- Support each student’s transition to college or their post-secondary pathway through the completion of pre-college & career benchmarks as well as matriculation checklist tasks (such as making their tuition deposit, engaging in loan counseling (if applicable), etc.)
11th Grade Match
- Outreach to students and families to inform and engage them with KIPP Forward support
- Build partnerships with local high schools where students are enrolled to facilitate communication on student progress and create opportunities for check ins during school hours.
- Guide 11th grade students through the process of creating a strong, balanced wishlist that is aligned with their individual interests and takes their academic profile into consideration, and is aligned with Miami postsecondary landscape
- Conduct ongoing check-ins with 11th grade students to assess their passion, purpose, and plan and relate it to their wishlist
- Develop and maintain consistent engagement and partnership with families of 11th grade students
- Support 11th grade students in registering and preparing for the official ACT or SAT exam, and provide communication and incentive opportunities to support students in preparing for and attending the exam
Data Management
- Track meeting notes and student data - both qualitative and quantitative - consistently and accurately in a number of portals (Salesforce, Overgrad, Transition Tracker)
- Analyze student data to drive action planning and support plans
- Constantly assess student progress and consistently communicate results to the Director
Skills
- Proficient in Microsoft Office, specifically Excel
- Experience with database management and reporting (such as Salesforce, Overgrad, etc.)
- Strong written and oral communication skills
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Strong organization skills and meticulous attention to detail
- Superb customer service skills and love and support for families and children
- Strong critical thinking and problem solving skills
- Adept at data analysis and strong content knowledge; ability to extract meaningful insights and actions from data
Abilities
- Commitment to do whatever it takes to ensure our students have what they need to be successful
- Ability to build strong relationships with students and families
- Ability to proactively problem solve; anticipate challenges before they occur
- Ability to develop and manage multiple projects simultaneously and comfortably with ambiguity
- Ability to troubleshoot and manage high stress situations with a calm and positive demeanor
- Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed
- Student Focus: Belief that all students, regardless of background, have the ability to go to and through college; demonstrated commitment to the school’s unique community
- Cultural Competence: Demonstrated ability to create inclusive environments that honors and supports a diversity of backgrounds and perspectives