Manager, College Services (Springfield, MA)

Company Description

The Phoenix Academy Network currently operates three high schools in Massachusetts - one in Chelsea, one in Lawrence and one in Springfield - with plans to open additional schools in the coming years. The Phoenix Network is the only network of schools in Massachusetts that operates both charter and traditional, in-district schools. We are at the forefront of education, particularly alternative education, in Massachusetts.

The mission of all Phoenix schools is to challenge teenagers with an academically rigorous and individually tailored curriculum. Talented students who have not succeeded in other schools will have the support, resources and training needed at Phoenix to succeed academically in high school and college, and become economically secure in their future. Phoenix is named after a mythological figure of strength, healing and renewal. We believe in the capacity of our students to regain control of their academic future and recast themselves as strong, independent and self-sufficient adults.

Job Description

Philosophy

Phoenix Charter Academy's mission is to challenge young people in our area with an academically rigorous and individually tailored curriculum. Phoenix scholars who have not succeeded in other schools will have the support, resources and training needed to succeed academically in high school and college, and become economically secure in their future. Phoenix Charter Academy is named after a mythological figure of strength, healing and renewal.

Phoenix schools challenge resilient, disconnected young people with rigorous academics and relentless supports, so they take ownership of their futures and succeed in high school, college, and as self-sufficient adults.

Role Summary

The College Services Manager is a critical member of the Phoenix school-based team. This role is key in facilitating a robust college services program that supports scholar growth and access to opportunity as they progress to-and-through college.

The College Services Manager position is an exciting opportunity for an innovative, organized self-starter to collaborate with staff and administration in order to provide scholars with college services programming intended to increase awareness and participation in the areas of college readiness, college access, and college persistence.

Commitments

All staff acknowledge that we will each seek – through formal and informal feedback – to dramatically improve our own progress and that of our scholars.

Qualities of a Phoenix staff member:

• Unwavering Belief in Phoenix Scholars - Phoenix staff operate with the deeply held belief that all young people want to and can succeed even in the face of what can seem like insurmountable barriers and societal constraints.

• Ability to Put Scholars First - Phoenix staff go above and beyond to ensure mastery of the skills and development of positive self-identity that will ensure success for college, careers and beyond.  Phoenix staff find every opportunity to engage in teaching and learning with scholars, using conflict to build supportive relationships with scholars and never taking things personally.

• Eager to Learn Under Pressure - Phoenix staff must be able to learn as they go in a fast paced, ever evolving, urgent environment. They have the desire to receive direct feedback and the ability to implement the feedback into practice quickly.

• Humility - Phoenix staff approach problem solving with curiosity and desire to understand the perspectives of others.  They carry an internalized sense of “I can always learn more” from others, and know that adults at Phoenix must model the qualities of being open-minded and willing to make mistakes and learn from them.

• Experience with Low Income Communities -  Staff have the proven ability to work across cultures and experience serving low-income communities and/or academically-disconnected adolescents.  

• Ability to Find Inspiration In the Small Things - In the face of challenge and hard work,  Phoenix staff must have the ability to find humor, inspiration, success and joy in the day to day interactions with scholars and the larger Phoenix Community.

• Personal Commitment to Cultural Proficiency and Ongoing Development - Phoenix staff are ongoing learners about diversity, equity and inclusion and seek to understand the ways that their self-identity and experiences impacts and interacts with their daily work, colleagues and scholars.

Specific Responsibilities

Basic College Office Duties

• Assist and track all near graduates in college applications, financial aid, registration, and other necessary steps for graduating scholars (FAFSA, EITC, etc.)

• Track and document the academic progress of scholars nearing graduation and, with the Director of Curriculum and Instruction, arrange for support when necessary

• Maintain weekly communication with adult supporters of “senior class”

• Maintain regular communication with outside agencies, colleges, and any other parties involved in the lives of graduating scholars and alumni

• Plan and host senior engagement events

• Maintain regular communication with teachers of seniors

• Assist the Leadership Team in planning graduation events and senior activities, including but not limited to: Prom, Student Events Committee, Senior Trip, Senior banquet, Senior Meetings, Adult Support Meetings

• Assist the Leadership Team in implementing 1, 3, 5 year vision for College Office and services at Phoenix Academy

• Uphold Phoenix Handbook and culture expectations

• Hold weekly collaborations with College Services team including Fellows/grad coaches

• Manage and support College Office Fellow(s) who is responsible for:

  • Implementing college visits and presentations- on and off Phoenix Academy’s campus

  • Meeting with every non-senior to inform and pre-plan toward college readiness

Alumni Services Duties

• Assist all graduates in matriculation including filling out paperwork, financial aid, registration, and attending necessary orientations

• Alumni outreach and tracking: follow each alumnus/a and track contact information and education/career placements

• Maintain digital and hard-copy system of tracking and files

• Provide Head of School with bi-weekly updates on each alumna/us for most recently graduated class.

• Provide on-campus support to alumni and assist in connecting to any necessary services

• Assist the Leadership Team in planning Alumni Events

• Create and distribute Alumni Survey aimed at improving college-readiness at Phoenix Academy

• Be knowledgeable of all work to vertically align scholarly habits to ensure greater college persistence (increase college persistence by 10%); be knowledgeable of accountability plan college persistence goals

Assist Head of School in the following

• Develop relationships with local colleges to create pipeline of support for our scholars; meet with admissions officers from each school

Basic Student Support and Other Duties

• Meet with members of ILT and other teachers to help improve college readiness

• Learn to support staff in the SSC and cover (with stipend) when necessary

• Be present at weekly Professional Development (Fridays) when relevant/determined by the Director of Curriculum and Instruction

• Meet weekly with the Director of School Culture for supervisory meeting

**It is understood that this Job Description is a summary of the primary duties and responsibilities of the position. It is not intended to be a complete and total description of each and every duty and responsibility. As such, this job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. He or she will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other duties requested by his or her supervisor.

It is also understood that the Network retains the right to modify this Job Description at any time, for any reason, at the Network’s sole discretion**

We seek a diverse workforce. Phoenix Charter Academy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Phoenix Charter Academy is committed to providing equal opportunity to staff and applicants in all areas of employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status, or any other area protected by federal, state or local law. Phoenix Charter Academy is committed to making any reasonable accommodation necessary to support an individual's employment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Candidates with Massachusetts licensure and/or master’s degree in Education/Guidance Counseling highly preferred.
• Knowledge of Massachusetts curriculum and requirements for high school graduation/college acceptance highly preferred.
• 1 Year of direct student-serving (teaching, tutoring, academic support, etc.) experience preferred.
• Bilingual/Multilingual (especially Spanish-speaking) candidates highly encouraged to apply.

Additional Information

We seek a diverse workforce. Phoenix Academy Network is an Equal Opportunity Employer and an Equal Opportunity Service Location. As an Equal Opportunity Employer and Service Location, the Phoenix Academy Network is committed to providing equal opportunity to staff, AmeriCorps members, and applicants in all areas of employment and service without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status, or any other area protected by federal, state or local law. The Phoenix Academy Network is committed to making any reasonable accommodation necessary to support an individual's service, employment, or candidacy.

The Phoenix Academy Network provides reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities during the interview process and employment. Should you need an accommodation, please let us know at your earliest convenience so that we can make arrangements before your interview.

Apply Now!

Direct Link:

https://phoenixcharter.tedk12.com/hire/ViewJob.aspx?JobID=241

Who Are We?:

http://phoenixcharteracademy.org/our-academies/phoenix-charter-academy-springfield/

Additional Opportunities:
http://phoenixcharteracademy.org/careers/