Job Title:  Graduation Mentor 

Department: Learning - Secondary

Pay Grade: Teacher's Salary Schedule

FLSA Status: Exempt

Reports to: School Principal

GENERAL PURPOSE

This position is responsible for providing support to students by serving as a mentor with the specific responsibility to provide focus of implementation of strategies for the secondary school to increase graduation rate, decrease dropout numbers and ensure those reenrolled are receiving resources needed to continue engagement in school. Also responsible for developing relationships with parent/guardians, teachers, counselors, administrators, school social workers and/or any other relevant service providers to ensure student success.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Monitors the progress of the most recent senior cohort to ensure graduation.

• Monitors the re-engagement of the previous year’s dropouts to achieve 5-year cohort graduation rate.

• Aids site attendance Specialist, counselor, and administration in contacting non-verifiable students who are not attending with strategies to re-engage.
• Conferences with students in all subgroups to identify potential barriers and work to remove those barriers for the student(s).
• Mentors students through regular face to face meetings on academic progress towards meeting graduation requirements.
• Collaborates with building counselors, teachers, and administrators to aid in developing intervention plans for students.
• Collaborates with the Executive Director – Secondary Learning and the Director V – Secondary Learning improving graduation rates and achieving established objectives.
• Promotes support for at-risk students by working well with students, parents/guardians, staff and the community.
• Demonstrates strong communication skills, both verbal and written.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in job-related area, required.

• Job related experience with increasing levels of responsibility is required.

• Successful experience working with at-risk students.

Certificates, Licenses and Other Special Requirements

• Possession of a Missouri Teacher 9 – 12 Certification, required.
• Possession of Missouri Administrative Certification, preferred.
• Ability to gain and maintain "Highly Qualified" status as defined by Missouri's Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, required.
• Must pass a Criminal Background Clearance, the results of which must be satisfactory to the District, required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: pertinent laws, codes, policies, and/or regulations; personnel processes; standard business practices; teaching strategies; working with families; and stages of child development.
• Knowledge of algebra and/or geometry; review and interpret highly technical information, write technical materials, and/or speak persuasively to implement desired actions; and analyze situations to define issues and draw conclusions.
• Skill to perform multiple, technical tasks with a need to routinely upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions.
• Skill based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job, including: operating standard office equipment including utilizing pertinent software applications; planning and managing projects and programs; overseeing program financial activities; developing effective working relationships; preparing and maintaining accurate records; and administering personnel policies and procedures; and coordinating with other agencies.
• Ability to schedule a number of activities, meetings, and/or events; gather, collate, analyze and/or classify data.
• Ability to work with a diverse group of individuals under a wide variety of circumstances.
• Ability to analyze issues, data, create action plans and ensure that success of Department and District strategic objectives.
• Ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to apply critical thinking/problem solving to improve work processes.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality; set priorities; meet deadlines and schedules; work with detailed information; and adapt to changing priorities.
• Ability to set high expectations for self and others; set and monitor progress toward goals; and utilize and offer effective feedback to continuously improve.
• Ability to work as part of a team; adapt to changing priorities; and apply logical processes and analytical skills.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

• The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: some lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally the job requires 20% sitting, 5% walking, and 75% standing. This job is performed in a generally clean and healthy environment.
• Work environment is primarily inside, where the noise and temperature levels are moderate.
• The work is light work which requires exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force to move objects.
• Must possess the physical ability to work primarily with fingers, perceive the nature of sounds, make rational decisions through sound logic and deductive processes, express or exchange ideas by the spoken word, substantial movements (motions) with the hands, wrists, and/or fingers, and discern letters or numbers at a given distance.
• Additionally, the following physical abilities are required: balancing, grasping, hearing, manual dexterity, mental acuity, reaching, repetitive motion, speaking, visual acuity and walking.