Title: College & Career Readiness Coordinator
Location: 1309 W 95th St, Chicago, IL 60643
Reports To: Principal
Salary Range: Starting at $60,000, commensurate with experience
Employee Type: Regular Full Time
Start Date: August 2024

Distinctive Schools creates diverse, joyful, welcoming communities rooted in social justice and rigorous learning. We support all learners to be engaged, curious, and to achieve their full potential. Our students become confident advocates, creative problem-solvers, and collaborative leaders.

Position Overview

The College and Career Readiness Coordinator focuses on aspirations and awareness by providing college, career, and employment information to students, families, and team members. The College and Career Readiness Coordinator will promote academic and personal success by implementing a comprehensive program that encompasses areas of personal and social development of students as well as academic and career needs. This position provides comprehensive career and college planning services to students using effective communication techniques with various modes of technology, to encourage and guide students to define and develop realistic goals.

Responsibilities

Culture:

• Build and foster positive and professional relationships with all stakeholders - students, staff, families, and community members

• Honor community and stakeholder input when making decisions

• Foster positive climate and culture

• Maintain visibility with all stakeholders

• Represent the school and the organization at community events to gain real-time insights into how to forge sustainable partnerships in service of the Community School

Student Advisement:

• Organize, update, and display materials in the Career Center about colleges and careers, including Longwood courses, educational opportunities, career opportunities and provide students with information

• Select, order and maintain college information and publications, cross referencing materials according to major and occupation

• Provide College information and visitations to Junior High School students

• Conduct career and college center orientations for students and team members and provide information regarding occupational programs, including:

  • Career Centers' services

  • Military services

  • Other post high school opportunities

• Provide and manage 1:1 informational appointments and after school discussions with students and families to ensure they are aware of post high school opportunities

• Advise and inform students regarding their individual rights and responsibilities in the college admissions process

• Administer career assessment surveys/tests to students and help them evaluate their career options, interests, abilities, progress, expectations, and goals

• Organize and implement tiered marketing and outreach efforts for special populations and provide outreach materials to families and students. Connect students and families to community resources where needed

Scholarship Assistance:

• Plan, implement and promote scholarship and other financial support tools so students can access resources and hold informational meetings and events (in partnership with other team members (at the school) about financial aid, college materials, applications, online registration, scholarship, and test deadlines

• Discusses college admission test procedures, college admissions requirements, and application deadlines with students

• Conduct workshops that informs and prepares students in 9 - 12 for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Program Support Services:

• Provide individual and/or small group case management for students and families to ensure effective wrap-around services and support

• Support design and execution of capstones, college & career fairs, and other career pathway events at the campus in partnership with teachers, counselors, and other team members

• Respond to inquiries from a variety of internal and external sources (e.g. families, students, teachers, team members, outside agencies, etc.) for the purpose of providing information and/or direction as may be required

Program Management:

• Develop and maintain system framework for College and Career Exploration program for Grades 9 - 12 in alignment with Illinois State Board of Education and Chicago Public Schools requirements and guidelines

• Develop and maintain system framework for College persistence for alumnus

• Develop and maintain a system framework for Work-Based Learning Programs

• Support of local and national postsecondary planning partnerships with business and community members; solicit and recruit participation of new partners, including alumni and diverse groups

• Coordinate and supervise summer internships for students and provide access and guidance during summer/evening hours for interested parents and students

• Organize and coordinate company visits, mock interviews and job shadows in support of the schools career exploration program

• Arrange field trips, observations and representative visits for college/career bound students

• Manage/support usage of all CPS and ISBE College and Career Planning Tools (SchoolLinks, etc.)

• Development of school programming focused on rigor and college preparatory opportunities

Leadership Development:

• Continue to expand expertise in college and career support by attending network professional development sessions, workshops, career meetings, conventions, etc. that will strengthen the program

• Actively research and pursue potential college and career partnership opportunities

• Seek and be receptive to professional feedback as a way to continually grow

• Represent Distinctive Schools and the campus at community events as a way to bolster partnerships and elevate the school’s presence

• Attend weekly instructional leadership team (ILT) meetings

Requirements (minimum)

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree

Qualifications:

• Minimum of three (3) years of related youth development and/or career programming experience including facilitating collaboration within and among businesses, post-secondary institutions, schools, and community-based organizations

• Minimum of two (2) years of experience in college and career-related work, outreach, recruitment, and engagement

• Experience with program evaluation and improvement, working in school environments, and/or leading and executing large-scale projects and programs

• A long-standing member of the local community

• Ability to maintain a flexible schedule that includes evenings and some weekends

• Ability to manage multiple tasks and design events that strengthen family, team member and community participation

• Technology demands:

  • Proficient in cloud based software solutions - GoogleSuite

• Travel to throughout the community and professional trainings as needed

Physical demands

• Ability to maintain a flexible schedule that includes evenings and some weekends
• Occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling; some stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling; and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally, the job requires 30% sitting, 50% walking, and 20% standing

Benefits

• 25 Paid holidays & 15 days PTO annually
• 12 weeks family paid leave
• Comprehensive Healthcare (Medical, Dental, Vision)
• 403b match
  • Fully match up to 3%
  • 50% match up to 5%
• Professional development including tuition reimbursement
• Gym and wellness discounts
• And more

Description Disclaimer: Since no job description can detail all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time in the performance of a job, duties and responsibilities that may be inherent in a job, reasonably required for its performance, or required due to the changing nature of the job shall also be considered part of the jobholder's responsibility.

EEO:

Distinctive Schools is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other personal characteristic protected by applicable law.

Distinctive Schools is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In keeping with our commitment, Distinctive Schools will take the steps to assure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. Accordingly, if reasonable accommodation is required to fully participate in the job application or interview process, to perform the essential functions of the position, and/or to receive all other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact talent@distinctiveschools.org or call 773.828.4191