Job Description

THE OPPORTUNITY

Counseling services can transform the college and career dreams into a reality. Evidence has shown that the lack of access to information and guidance on high school readiness, college admissions and financial aid is a prohibitive barrier for many families. By employing a diverse range of outreach efforts – from individualized, one-on-one meetings to large-group workshops – the KIPP Forward program closes the information divide for KIPP TX – DFW students and families, breaking down the barriers to college access. The KIPP Forward office has 3 major program components: high school transition and strong start, post-secondary access, and college and career persistence and success.

The High School Transition Counselor supports KIPP TX – DFW Middle School on their transition to high school and 9-11th graders in setting a solid foundation for a strong start in high school that will propel students to realize and achieve their post-secondary goals and dreams. This position will support the transition to high school and a caseload of about 250  9-11th grade KIPP TX – DFW middle school alumni attending non-KIPP high schools.  This role includes significant student and parent outreach to promote workshops, community services and enrichment opportunities as well as one-one-one advising meetings. This position will be housed within the KIPP DFW School Support Partners (SSP) and will report to the KMSA Match Manager.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

STUDENT SUPPORT AND ADVISING 

• Actively plan and/or promote enrichment and exposure opportunities such as, but not limited to community service, job shadowing, career visits, pre-college programs, summer programs, leadership opportunities, internships and enrichment opportunities, and assist students with applications
• Advise students on college and career pathways and help students develop success skills, such as self-advocacy, problem-solving, interviewing, networking, etc.;
• Guide students through aptitude and achievement assessments, to help students evaluate their interests, skills, and connect their interest with potential careers;
• Counsel students on course-selection and extra-curricular activities in high school in  addition to study skills, referrals to tutoring/counseling, on-campus support, long and short-term goal-setting, coaching, problem solving and encouragement;
• Offer individualized counseling around social and emotional issues associated with high school life, college and career success
• Write effective recommendations for students for scholarships, summer programs, internships and jobs;

PARENTS/GUARDIANS:

• Guide and collaborate with KIPP middle school students and parents through the process of matriculating to high school and be available to answer any questions regarding high school applications
• Inform KIPP middle school students and parents and promote specifics about the KIPP HS
• Hold high school transition meetings with each family and co-create a successful transition plan 
• Plan and hold meetings and panel discussions to educate parents and KIPP middle school students of all grade levels about high school success
• Reach out to students and parents using phone calls, emails, in-person meetings, social media, and high school campus visits;
• Keep students and families apprised of enrichment opportunities;

FACULTY & STAFF

• Introduce KIPP Forward programming to KIPP middle schools, KIPP high school and non-KIPP high school administration and collaborate with teachers,  counselors, college access programs and leadership staff to support student progress;
• Serve as a resource for KIPP DFW middle and high school teaching faculty regarding college and career readiness and integration;
• Manage 7th -10th Grade high school and post-secondary readiness curriculums, review and upgrade lessons, and provide training and direct support to teachers teaching these lessons.
• Meet regularly with school Grade Level Chairs to discuss high school placement class and lesson delivery progress. 
• Guide and train teachers and administrators to write effective recommendations for each student who needs them for high school and summer programs
• Collaborate with KIPP DFW’s KIPP Forward Post-Secondary Team to ensure a strong transition to the student’s College & Career Match Counselors in Spring of junior year in high school.

RESEARCH AND DATA 

• Track, input and verify student data (contact information, academic progress, test scores, summer program participation, etc.) using the Alumni Database (Salesforce);
• Attend trainings in addition to research and stay current on higher education programs, trends and issues with student impact and make recommendations based on best practices and research;
• Assist in developing profiles of high schools based on performance, achievement results, and college-going rates; 
• Assist with data collection for annual report and program evaluation;
• Maintain documentation for program files and evaluation of program activities;
• Prepare marketing, publicity materials and reports as needed;
• Track HS Budget expenses and ensure expenditures remain within budgetary limits.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT 

• Plan and execute co-curricular initiatives as assigned. These may include: parent meetings, career fair, college-readiness and transition workshops, volunteer events, and socials;
• Support evening programming and coordinate academic tutoring enrichment initiatives for alumni in need of academic intervention;
• Support design, writing, and distribution of KIPP Forward newsletter for high school students; 
• Create, update and distribute a Career & Summer Program Guidebook
• Collaborate with KIPP DFW Middle Schools to devise transition plans for incoming high school freshmen and facilitate high school transition meetings;
• Collaborate with the Director of College & Career Services to drive career support services for HS alumni;
• Collaborate with the College Team to arrange college visits and opportunities for HS alumni to connect with alumni in college.

KIPP FORWARD TEAM

• Meet weekly with the Managing Director of KIPP Forward to discuss progress, submit reports, etc. 
• Collaborate with the KIPP Forward HS team to report progress toward goals, plan HS visits and encourage alumni attendance for KIPP Forward programming;
• Work with KIPP Froward team to identify partnership that could provide additional support and services to alumni such as tutoring, internships, scholarship programs and college placement services;
• Develop positive, appropriate relationships with fellow KIPP DFW staff members and teachers, viewing each other as teammates and professional colleagues
• Attend, and actively participate in, all staff meetings, etc. 
• Other duties assigned by the Managing Director of KIPP Forward

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited 4-year college
• Prior experience working with high school students (especially first-generation) and their families 
• Higher education/college advising experience strongly preferred
• Ability to work well both individually and within a team structure
• Strong record of helping students achieve academic success, primarily with minority and low-income students
• Ability to facilitate group workshops for teenagers and parents
• Proven ability to collaborate and build relationships with stakeholders across functional and organizational lines
• Comfort with working in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
• Excellent analytical, written, and interpersonal communication skills
• Fast learner with the ability to inquire and be open to feedback
• Strong work ethic, leadership acuity, and entrepreneurial spirit
• Detail and results-oriented team player who is dedicated to getting the job done  
• Demonstrates a high proficiency with Microsoft Office and has previous experience utilizing a database, i.e. Salesforce
• Unquestioned integrity and commitment to KIPP DFW’s mission
• Relentless drive to follow up and stay connected with students in order to help them succeed, and a willingness to do whatever it takes to help our students apply and gain admission to colleges or universities
• Outstanding project management skills, with an ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) is strongly preferred

Additional Information

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

As a full time KIPP Texas employee you are eligible to participate in all KIPP Texas’ benefit plans. KIPP Texas offers a robust variety of benefits choices, including medical, dental, and vision options, as well as life insurance, fertility, and disability plans starting as low as $25/month.

KIPP provides equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or disability.