The Director of College and Career Counseling assumes the primary responsibility for supporting a school culture that sets high-expectations and empowers students to develop the knowledge, skills, and character traits necessary to pursue a choice-filled life. As a college and career coach, the DCCC will drive the schoolwide plan, alongside the Principal and Assistant Principals, regarding grade point average and standardized testing goals and programming in support of postsecondary planning.
Responsibilities of the Director of College and Career Counseling will include, but are not limited to:
College and Career Knowledge and Skills
Maintain current knowledge on policies and updates on postsecondary education, financial aid, and special populations (undocumented students, students with special needs, IEPs) and share implications and changes that impact our students
Be knowledgeable to advise and coach all students, including all postsecondary pathways and students with unique circumstances through the postsecondary planning and application process
Create access to postsecondary resources and opportunities available to support underrepresented populations
Organize family engagement workshops related to postsecondary education options
Team Management
Develop an inclusive, positive, and effective team culture by developing ambitious team goals, building the teamâs competencies
Create a collaborative team with consistent communication with key stakeholders, teammates, and families
Directly manager junior and senior college and career teachers, supporting with:
Lesson planning, lesson internalization and execution, and classroom management
Student postsecondary guidance, coaching, and goal setting to define success for the semester/year and beyond
Conduct weekly one-on-one check-ins with direct reports and participate in weekly one-on-one check-ins with the Principal and the Director of KIPP Forward along with mid-year and end-of-year evaluations
Progress monitor all postsecondary access goals
Oversee KIPP Forward campus team expenditures
Data Management
Maintain constant and consistent communication on the data progress of students with key stakeholders including but not limited to: KIPP Foundation, College personnel, CBOs, Career Partners, school and regional leadership, and state leadership, along with students and families
Plan and lead cyclical data at Monthly Match Meetings with leadership to compare progress against milestones, assess areas for improvement and adjust plans to achieve intended outcomes
Set up, utilize, train, and support counselors with various student management platforms to track, progress monitor, and submit student data, including, but not limited to Salesforce, Overgrad, Google suite, etc.
Project Management
Effectively plan the organization and time management of the team in planning parent nights, college visits, guest speakers, career exploration trips, and other postsecondary access programming
Delegate and manage various projects while progress monitoring key projects
Develop innovative and creative solutions through programming and one-on-ones that problem-solve gaps in postsecondary knowledge for students and families
Develop efficient processes that support Seminar Counselors in coaching and empowering students to accomplish their postsecondary goals
Establish and maintain relationships/partnerships with colleges and universities, summer programs, and scholarship organizations
School Leadership Team Responsibilities
Participate on the Schoolâs Leadership Team and grade-level leadership team to share crucial college and career knowledge and keep leaders aware of studentsâ goals and progress towards graduation and their postsecondary plans
Lead department meetings and professional development related to KIPP Forward
Manage credit recovery process and communication for senior students and their families
Facilitate standardized testing goal setting and execution with Principal
Manage credit tracking for students
Desired Characteristics
Unwavering commitment to KIPP Nashvilleâs mission, students, families, and community
Firm belief in affirming the identity of students, families and staff
Demonstrates excitement in growing students into their highest selves
Passionate and committed to being a leader for racial justice and equity, and working in an organization committed to anti-racism
Excellent communication skills with diverse constituents; clear writer, facilitator and speaker and eagerness to collaborate
Demonstrate commitment to continue their professional development individually, eager to offer and respond positively to feedback
Ability to tackle multiple projects and initiatives at once with a strong sense of organization, prioritization, follow through and results orientation
Possess an entrepreneurial spirit, be flexible, and willing to go above and beyond to meet the varied needs of students