Graduation Candidate Retention Advocate

Acceleration Academies is passionate about improving student outcomes. We provide two capabilities that drive student success. Our dropout recovery and student re-engagement program (Acceleration Academies), is an innovative education partner helping young adults overcome real-life challenges to earn their high school diploma tuition-free through partnerships with state or local school districts across the country. Our technology platform (Incite®) enables data-driven teaching and learning. These offerings are both rooted in our belief that every student deserves access to the best instruction, tools and resources possible.

Position Title: Graduation Candidate Retention Advocate

Location: St. Lucie Acceleration Academies 

Reports To: Academy Director

Employment Type: This is a part-time position funded through Title 1 funds. Employment is contingent on the yearly categorical allocation from St. Lucie School District. 

Benefits: 401(k) with up to 4% company match

Minimum Requirements

Education: Associate degree or higher (Bachelor’s preferred)

Years of Experience: 2 years of relevant experience

Background Check: Appropriate state and federal criminal history clearance

Role Expectations 

The GCRA is to increase parent and family engagement, conduct home visits to identify attendance barriers, update GC commitment schedules on a weekly basis, create a supportive and coordinated family plan to keep GCs tracked for high school graduation, and provide weekly progress reports to GCS on the caseload including parents of all minors, coordinate and lead Title I parent meetings and student engagement sessions. The GCRA will provide intensive intervention for a caseload of GCs who have not met engagement or progress expectations (PW, High Risk, 100 Days), support retention goals through research-based best practices for re-engagement strategies, arrange for coordinated family and adult student meetings each week (virtual and in-person) for students not making satisfactory progress in their course using Edmentum data and the protocol checklist for family meetings, utilize the GPI (Graduation Persistence Index) results to identify potential barriers that would limit academic success, and work with staff and stakeholders to eliminate those barriers through coordinated services. This position would also require rotating evening and weekend hours. (Preferred - Bilingual)

Core Competencies 

The following core competencies define what the organization requires of its employees to succeed and how we expect overall goals to be accomplished each and every day.

• Communication & Interpersonal Skills
• Collaboration & Teamwork
• Caring & Inclusiveness
• Flexibility & Adaptability
• Honesty, Integrity & Reliability
• Results-Orientation

Role-Specific Competencies 

These competencies are specific to the GCA position. 

• Organizational Planning & Time Management
• Commitment & Motivation
• Relationship Management
• Coachability & Learning Orientation
• Resiliency & Stress Management

Role Responsibilities

• Arrange for coordinated family and adult student meetings each week for students not making satisfactory progress in their course using Edmentum data and retention protocol for LAA.
• Utilize the GPI (Graduation Persistence Index) results to identify potential barriers that would limit academic success and work with Life Coach to eliminate those barriers through coordinated services. 
• Conduct home visits to identify attendance barriers and a supportive and coordinated family plan to keep GCs tracked for high school graduation. 
• Clearly articulate the value of a high school diploma in a way that inspires hope and optimism and moves people to action
• Access and develop community based partnerships to target referral sources and resources for Graduation Candidates
• Participate in a variety of outreach/marketing activities and events in the local community, including school fairs, organizational expos, presentations at public parks and gatherings, activities at churches and food pantries and any place where young adults may benefit from learning about Acceleration Academies diploma program
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Inspirational presence, reliable leadership, and excellent group and individual rapport-building and communication skills (written and verbal) in a range of relationships and environments
• Comfortable learning new technology for organizing and voter engagement that is critical to program implementation, training and tracking
• 1-3 years of experience working in a sales or community outreach capacity preferred
• Comfortable working in fast-paced, changing environments with ability to maintain long hours, including irregular times such as nights and weekends
• Computer and telephone app proficiency; must be able to learn and adapt to various computer systems and platforms
• Must have dependable, daily access to a vehicle that you can use every day to drive to events and activities in the community is required. Mileage, gas and phone data to be reimbursed.
• Fluency in Spanish or other languages spoken by people in the communities we serve
• US work authorization
• Community Organizing, Election Campaign and Canvassing Experience preferred

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to use hands to touch, handle, or feel. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms. Extensive keyboarding, texting, and calling is also required. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

Work Environment and Work Demands

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally be exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is typical of a collaborative school environment.

Acceleration Academies is an Equal Opportunity Employer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work to be performed and are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. It is understood that other related duties may be assigned. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform all aspects of the position, described below satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.