Post-Secondary Counselor at KIPP Northeast Denver Leadership Academy (25/26)

Description:

About the Post-Secondary Counselor KIPP Forward Role: The KIPP Forward Postsecondary Counselor will serve as a resource and guide for our 11th and 12th grade students at KIPP Northeast Denver Leadership Academy (KNDLA) and as an integral member of our KIPP Forward Team. The Postsecondary Counselor is directly responsible for guiding a cohort of Junior and Senior students through the application, selection and financing of their preferred post-secondary pathway.  The Postsecondary Counselor teaches a junior and senior seminar course during the school day, in which they empower KIPPsters and their families with the knowledge, resources, and support to select the right college, CTE program, military, and/or career based on their interests and passions and provides 1:1 counseling to students. This individual will uphold the KIPP Colorado Schools mission that together with families and communities, we create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose—college, career, and beyond—so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world. This is a full-time 12 month admin position (School Based Dean Scale), based at KNDLA, with occasional off-site responsibilities. The Post-Secondary Counselor reports to the Assistant Principal of College and Career.

About KIPP Forward: KIPP Forward supports students to choose and prepare for the educational and career paths that fit their goals and sense of purpose. Once on their way, KIPP Forward teams help alumni keep moving forward, tackling academic, social, and financial challenges they might encounter while pursuing their dreams.

About KIPP: Together with families and communities, KIPP creates joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose—college, career, and beyond—so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world. KIPP is a national network of tuition-free, public charter schools open to all students. There are 255 college-preparatory KIPP schools in 20 states and the District of Columbia, serving more than 100,000 students. Nationally, KIPP students are graduating four-year colleges at three times the national average for low-income students. 

Who we are: KIPP Colorado Public Schools is a network of six free college-preparatory public charter schools open to all students. Our 350-person staff educates 2,600 students from ECE to 12th grade. At KIPP Colorado, we partner with our KIPPsters, educators, families and communities to ensure that we are all united around the goal of a choice-filled future for our KIPPsters. Our KIPP Forward Team supports our 1,000+ high school Alumni as they create their own paths. Our core values of excellence, belonging, belief, advocacy and courage are central to who we are and how we operate at all levels of our organization.

What we do: We believe in the unique gifts and brilliance of every student. We believe in setting a high bar for joy and academic excellence to ensure the infinite possibilities our students have before them become a reality. We aspire to create and reinforce a culture of achievement, belonging and support. We know that every student is different and we personalize learning based on a student's needs, skills, and interests.

Professional Responsibilities 

• Believe deeply in the mission, values, and Race, Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity (RIDE) commitments of KIPP Colorado Schools and that all children can and will learn 

• Assume personal responsibility for student achievement 

• Read, internalize, and adhere to the KIPP Colorado Policies and Procedures manual and guidelines

• Provide an active presence, strategic supervision, and intentional monitoring to ensure student safety and engagement in rigorous learning (regardless of my role and its proximity to students)

• Take ownership for the development of your craft and engage actively in coaching sessions (meet 1-2 times every 1 or 2 weeks (depending on need and role) with a manager, receive coaching, implement all provided feedback, engage in active practice, etc.)

• Commit to being prepared. Such as: internalizing and preparing for lessons, preparing for O3s/coaching, preparing for meetings, coaching, PD, reading and internalizing written communication, etc. 

• Meet professional obligations including and not limited to meeting deadlines and honoring schedules 

• Consistently leverage existing professional tools, including but not limited to Google Suite (google documents, etc.) and Microsoft Suite (including but not limited to your KIPP Colorado email, Teams chat / meetings, Teams phone, and Microsoft Outlook calendar) 

• Maintain strong attendance each day and be on time to all responsibilities

• Collaborate with colleagues and seek feedback in the spirit of continuous improvement 

• Reflect on professional practices to meet individual professional development goals 

• Actively participate in professional development, grade level, and department meetings

• Actively engage and implement in all school-wide and Org wide professional development

• Serve as a positive, contributing member of a grade team or functional team, collaborating with colleagues to tackle common challenges and implement org and grade-wide initiatives

• Share candid, solutions-oriented feedback with peers and leadership on a regular basis, assuring that feedback is shared directly with the intended recipient. Ensure that feedback is focused on improving outcomes and experiences for students

• Assist with both student and staff recruitment and engagement- including events, home visits, calls home, and other determined and related requirements

• Know that your role, professional development, org wide meetings, etc. may require you to travel around Denver to other KIPP Campuses, our Home Office, or other KIPP or PD events 

• Assist with other duties as assigned (such as but not limited to, lunch duty, arrival/dismissal duty, bathroom duty, hallway duty, school support duties, etc.) 

One KIPP Requirements for Post-Secondary Counselor 

• Ensures that every graduate earns admission into a best-fit postsecondary program following high school graduation 

• Oversees and guides students through aspiration setting, applications, financial aid processes, and post-secondary decisions

• Facilitates seminar and other key programs to support student selection and matriculation

• Facilitates family engagement in students’ Match process

College and Career Knowledge and Skills

• Actively research all aspects of college placement: financial aid, scholarships, applications, and admissions standards

• Be knowledgeable to advise and coach all students, including all postsecondary pathways and students with unique circumstances through the postsecondary planning and application process

• Participate in and effectively prepare for weekly one-on-one check-ins with your APCC

Postsecondary Counseling

• Serve as a Postsecondary Counselor for a caseload of juniors and seniors and monitor their progress toward pursuing a postsecondary pathway inclusive of four year universities, community colleges, CTE programs, military and career through individual counseling and classroom instruction.

• Develop positive, appropriate, meaningful relationships with students, families, teachers, and high school staff and meet with students, individually and in groups, to discuss postsecondary plans

• Guide students through aptitude and achievement assessments, to help students evaluate their interests, skills, and connect their interest with potential careers

• Partner with families to provide information and support in guiding post-secondary plans and to keep students and families informed of deadlines and resources related to the college, CTE, military, financial aid and scholarship application processes

• Write counselor recommendations for juniors and seniors applying to colleges, scholarships, and summer programs

• Actively promote, assist juniors and seniors with applications, and track attendance for summer enrichment opportunities such as, but not limited to, pre-college programs, summer programs, leadership opportunities, internships and enrichment opportunities

• Counsel students on college, CTE and career pathways and help students develop success skills, such as self-advocacy, problem-solving, interviewing, networking, etc.

• Keep students and families apprised of college & CTE admission requirements and monitor eligibility

• Provide guidance on writing effective college and scholarship essays, strong resumes, submitting college and financial aid applications, and other items important for college & CTE admissions, internships and jobs

• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with key stakeholders, including admissions representatives, pre-collegiate partners, CTE programs, community organizations and other related outreach partners

• Support seniors in their transition from high school to their postsecondary plans.

Instruction

• Teach up to 6 sections of junior and/or senior seminar, college and career readiness courses focusing on career counseling, test prep, essay development, college applications and financial aid, managing a cohort of 90-125 students

• Develop and deliver College Knowledge & Career Curriculum as the instructor for the daily Junior and Senior Seminar course offered at KNDLA   

• Maintain positive classroom environment aligned with school-wide expectations, including upholding grading policies and discipline systems. 

Data Management

• Maintain constant and consistent communication on the data progress of students with key stakeholders including: KIPP Foundation, College personnel, CBO’s, School and regional leadership, along with students and families

• Utilize various student management platforms to track, progress monitor and submit student data, including, but not limited to Salesforce, Overgrad, Google suite, KIPP Foundation approved tools, etc

• Track, input and verify student data (contact information, academic progress, test scores, summer program participation, etc.) using the Alumni Database (Salesforce & Overgrad)

• 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

Programmatic Support

• Support college and career counseling department’s special programming including college and career representative visits, college campus visits, financial aid nights, college and career fairs, college knowledge workshops, and decision meetings

• Support dissemination of student opportunities including scholarships, summer programs, after school programs, fly-ins, etc.

• Assist the APCC  and the High School with projects as they arise 

• Work effectively with KIPP Forward regional staff including the Regional Managing Director of KIPP Forward, Alumni Success Advisors, Postsecondary Partnerships & Career Coordinator

Role Level Specifics, Scope of Work, and Level of Responsibility

• For more about how you’ll lead at this level, please visit the KIPP Colorado Role Levels Matrix (this is an internal document, only) 

About the skills and qualifications you will bring to this role: 

• Bachelor’s degree (required)

• At least 3 years of experience teaching and working with high school or college students (especially first-generation) and their families in the college & career counseling field (required)

• Knowledge of higher education financing, student financial aid, and postsecondary education entrance processes. Direct work in college admissions or financial aid (strongly preferred)

• 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, universities & CTE programs

• A full understanding and Commitment to an Exceptional Student Experience (more about that HERE) (required) 

• Strong record of helping students achieve academic success, primarily with minority and low-income students

• Strong oral communication and writing skills; ability to communicate with sensitivity and to work with diverse populations, comfortable with public speaking

• Strong organization skills, attention to detail, ability to complete tasks accurately and in a timely manner

• Ability to manage the ambiguity and multiple priorities inherent in an entrepreneurial environment

• Ability to problem solve and work well both individually and within a team structure; while managing multiple tasks and projects

• Strong work ethic coupled with an enthusiastic and passionate approach to work

• Commitment to the belief that all students can learn and to the mission of educational equity

• Effective use of a variety of technology tools including database, various software programs, internet tools, and communication tools (for example: Salesforce; OverGrad; Infinite Campus, Google Suite)

• A sense of humor, tolerance for change, and a demonstrated ability to create a positive culture and sense of empowerment for students/families

• Comfort with working in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment; open to feedback

• Ability to facilitate group workshops for students and families

• Excellent analytical, written, and interpersonal communication skills

• Spanish fluency (oral and written) preferred

Employee retention and satisfaction is imperative for KIPP Colorado. We seek to provide competitive compensation and benefits including the following:

• Competitive Market Salary: Starting salary for this role begins at $61,200 and is commensurate with experience

• Please submit a comprehensive resume to assure all your experience is accounted for! Tip: We don't care if your resume is more than one page, we are eager to see and compensate you for all of your experience and accomplishments

• Excellent Healthcare Plan: 100% of employee-only monthly premium paid by KIPP Colorado and options for family enrollment and coverage, through United Healthcare 

• Time Off !!!: More than 6 weeks of annual vacation and Paid Time Off (PTO) 

• Based on hire date, employees are eligible for up to 8 days of Paid Time Off (PTO) 

• All employees receive summer break through an organization-wide closure, based on work location and position

• Access to parental and medical leave: includes 6 weeks paid and 6 weeks unpaid for a total of 12 weeks (after your first year)

• Career Trajectory: Access to opportunity to move up, across schools, and grow your career during weekly coaching sessions to refine your craft

• Mental Health Care: Immediate and ongoing access to mental health support through our Employee Assistance Program

• Technology & Access: Equipment provided: laptop & phone 

• Retirement Planning: Participation in the Colorado PERA retirement program, including a PERA 401k option

• Move to Join Us: Relocation reimbursement (when applicable)

• Additional Pay: Most schools offer various stipend opportunities

• Other Insurance Options: 

• Wellness reimbursement

• Voluntary employee, spousal, and child life insurance

• Voluntary long term disability insurance

• Voluntary short term disability insurance

• Optional Basic Life and AD&D Insurance

• Additional Information: For more information, you can view our benefits FAQ here 

 
KIPP Colorado Schools is dedicated to equal employment opportunities and fair labor practices. KIPP Colorado Schools, KIPP Denver Collegiate High School, KIPP Northeast Denver Middle School, KIPP Northeast Elementary, KIPP Northeast Denver Leadership Academy, KIPP Sunshine Peak Academy and KIPP Sunshine Peak Elementary provide equal employment opportunities to all individuals based on job-related qualifications, and the ability to perform a job without regard to race, color, gender, gender identity, gender expression, religious creed, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, genetic information, legally protected medical condition, veteran status, sexual orientation, or on any other basis made unlawful by federal, state or local laws. It is our policy to maintain a non-discriminatory environment free from intimidation, harassment or bias based upon these grounds.

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https://kippcolorado.org/join-our-team/open-positions/