College and Post Secondary Program Coordinator, Summer Search National

Posted by on May 01, 2011

College and Post Secondary Program Coordinator, Summer Search National

Posted on: April 19, 2011

OUR MISSION
Summer Search is a dynamic national non-profit organization that finds resilient low-income high school students and inspires them to become responsible and altruistic leaders by providing year-round mentoring, life-changing summer experiences, college advising, and a lasting support network.

WHO WE ARE
Summer Search started in 1990 in San Francisco and currently operates seven sites serving over 1600 students and 1,700 alumni nationally. Since 2008, we have been in an aggressive growth campaign to deepen our reach in each community we serve.

Summer Search Philadelphia was launched in September 2006 encouraged by the School District of Philadelphia and other civic leaders to bring more opportunities for low-income students. Since then, the program has grown to serve 90 high-potential students annually. We serve as partners to the Mayor’s Office of Education and its new program PhillyGoes2College. The current operating budget is roughly 1 million dollars. For more information about Summer Search visit our website at http://www.summersearch.org.

OUR VALUES
Summer Search is committed to the personal and professional growth opportunities of every staff member. We embrace honesty, directness, and constructive criticism as an opportunity for growth. Everyone within our organization is guided by the following values:

Reflection: We challenge ourselves to take positive risks and find healthy outlets. Consistently reaching out to other local and national staff, being curious and having a sense of humor are vital.
Altruism: We each take ownership of this program but also see it as an opportunity to go beyond ourselves and genuinely empower others.
Performance: We work with a sustained sense of passion and productivity, striving for excellence.

Job Summary
Contributes to the success of the organization by collaborating with the Program Director and staff as well as key Philadelphia Program staff to coordinate the College, and Post Secondary program elements. Ensures students meet short, intermediate and long term outcomes including high school graduation, college readiness, post-secondary matriculation and completion of 2 years post-secondary/vocation education.

Essential Duties and Job Competencies:
COLLEGE ACCESS PROGRAM COORDINATION:
Provides high quality, personalized college, career and financial aid services to Summer Search high school students
• Ensures students are educated about the college and financial processes to support them in matriculating and persisting in college.
• Counsels high school students on an individual basis providing college advisory services that are specific to each student’s needs and strengths. Helps students create college or vocational plans and execute against them.
• Provides students timely communication including newsletters/e-mail/phone call updates about upcoming important dates for college/tests/scholarships/workshops, etc.

Facilitates career, college and financial aid preparation workshops
• Coordinates and oversees SAT Prep Course including 2 (pre and post) practice test days.
• Coordinates, prepares and facilitates various career, college and financial aid workshops to students and parents.

Builds strategic high school and college partnerships
• Collaborates with high school guidance counselors to ensure students’ college readiness and access to college.
• Builds long-term relationships and partnerships with colleges, universities and other college- focused organizations to educate them about Summer Search and create more opportunities for Summer Search students.
• Serves as liaison to local college organizations such as Philadelphia College Roundtable and PhillyGoes2College.

POST SECONDARY PROGRAM COORDINATION:
Collaborates with mentors/ program team and national college/post secondary cohort to create and implement Post Secondary Programs: Bridge and Alumni.
• Assists with regular outreach and communication about Summer Search events, civic engagement opportunities.
• Partners with program and development staff to create and reach annual giving challenge goals.

Bridge Program
o Provides ongoing communication and consistent support with current bridge students (at minimum-two contacts per semester) including assistance with financial aid renewals, scholarship opportunities, and school transfers.
o Partners with program staff to identify and address risk factors for college attrition, actively supporting students through completion of two years post-secondary school.
o Communicates program goals and supports bridge students in becoming engaged on campus and in their communities

Alumni Program
o Provides ongoing leadership to Alumni Board and supports efforts to create an engaged alumni association.
o Collaborates with Alumni Board to plan and execute events that facilitate networking with other positive peers.

Career Exploration Coordination
o Coordinates all components of the internship program; work with individuals, groups, and company volunteers to support career exploration goals.
o Partners with development staff to ensure that volunteers and intern partners have a positive experience with Summer Search students that helps cultivate them as supporters of the organization.
o Facilitates Career Discovery Day workshop as well as other group sessions that support program elements (i.e. resume work days, mock interview session, etc.).
o Partners with National Volunteer and Career Manager to ensure that Summer Search provides ongoing career exploration opportunities that promote networking and skill-building and ultimately support our long-term outcomes of college persistence and civic engagement.

DATA MANAGEMENT, ORGANIZATIONAL COLLABORATION/ LEARNING/ TRAINING:
Utilizes Efforts to Outcomes (ETO) Database for consistent and timely data tracking, including up to date contact information, points of service entries, and student assessments
• Tracks progress toward multiple college goals (and other key data) and updates Executive Director, Program Director and staff on a regular basis.

Collaborates with mentors and national college and post-secondary staff to develop programs and address student progress toward outcomes
• Communicates on a regular basis with mentors/ program team about progress of students toward high school completion, college matriculation and completion of 2 years post secondary education; collaborates with mentors to address specific student needs
• Gains specific knowledge and skills regarding financial aid, college access and success, and vocational/ trade alternatives as needed to collaborate effectively with program staff and work directly with students.
• Provides training to mentors regarding post-secondary education process to aid in mentors’ ability to work with students toward meeting high school graduation and post-secondary matriculation.
• Participates and represents site in ongoing organizational training and national college and post secondary cohort calls; ensures learning and best practices are communicated across sites.
• Uses knowledge gained through working with Post Secondary students to help high school program staff to better position all students for the transition to post-secondary school.

Minimum Qualifications
• Two years of experience in college counseling at the secondary level preferably in an urban education setting
• Strong understanding of college admission process, financial aid, scholarships and grants, and college admissions testing
• Strong small and larger group facilitation skills
• Strong organizational and project management skills
• Ability to work well in a team and to communicate effectively with students, parents, teachers, administrators, and universities
• Holds high expectations for students and self
• Strong leadership, personal initiative and problem-solving skills
• Experience working with first generation college students a plus

OUR BENEFITS
Summer Search is committed to creating an environment that is supportive of learning, growth and staff development. Our investment in staff includes:
• Competitive salary commensurate with experience
• Anthem Blue Cross Medical and Delta Dental and Vision
• HSA and FSA
• 401 (K), disability, life and AD&D
• Paid holidays and vacation
• Commuter benefits program
More / LessHow to apply

HOW TO APPLY
Submit a cover letter with your resume that speaks to your experience and answers the question, “Why are you applying to Summer Search?” Whenever possible, your cover letter should focus on details that are not in your resume, so that we have a more complete picture of who you are.

Send your application to: Sarah Ham at philadelphiahire@summersearch.org.