Director of College & Career - High School (26-27)

KIPP Public Schools Northern California•Oakland, CA

18h•Hybrid

About The Position

The KIPP Forward Director of College & Career Counseling (DCC) is responsible for leading a school-based College & Career Counseling Department. The ultimate goal is to support students in choosing the best postsecondary pathway aligned to their interests, passions, and career aspirations, which may include college, trade, vocational programs, or military service. The DCC builds relationships with school leadership, KIPP Forward leadership, the KIPP Foundation, and various organizations and universities to secure resources for students. This role ensures the college & career counseling program is integrated into the school's mission and does not operate in isolation. The DCC leads the department in counseling, curriculum planning, and the postsecondary match process, aiming for high student application and matriculation goals, and FAFSA/CADAA completion. The DCC also acts as the primary liaison between their school and the KIPP Forward Team.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree required
Significant knowledge of College Access for first generation, educationally underserved college graduates from historically marginalized communities
Demonstrated sensitivity to and an understanding of the diverse academic, socio-economic, cultural, disability, and ethnic backgrounds of student populations
Unquestioned integrity and commitment to KIPP Northern California’s mission and values
Commitment to working with educationally underserved students and families from historically marginalized communities
Commitment to continuously learning how to lead for equity to ensure students and teammates thrive
Ability to self-direct and prioritize among competing goals and to initiate process improvements
Goal-oriented, with strong initiative and creative problem-solving skills
Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to work with a wide-range of people including teachers, counselors, parents, students, and administration teams
Outstanding written and oral communication skills
Extreme flexibility, strong work ethic and an entrepreneurial spirit to accommodate joining a growing and constantly improving team

Nice To Haves

4+ years of College Match/College Admissions Experience (preferably in CA)
2-3 years of teaching experience (preferred)
Experience in leading high-performance teams and managing a diverse team
Track record of success working with high school students/families in the college counseling process
Track record of success in managing and supervising adults
Previous experience in using data to drive decision making
Master’s degree preferred
Strong working knowledge of student database systems preferred

Responsibilities

Lead Postsecondary Match Strategy
Provide CC department on-going PD both at school site and at regional CC convenings (CoPs, regional learning days, etc)
Lead CKCS Implementation across 9th-12th grade
Manage a team of high school based College & Career Counselors (CC) at the school site, completing weekly One-on-One Check-ins with each direct report (11th and 12th grade counselors)
Engage in all parts of the performance management process, including 2x2x2, Mid-year and end of year performance evaluation using the Performance & Development Plan (PDP)
Observe CC leading student and/or family meetings and provide feedback with a clear action step to improve counseling
Equip counselors with caseload management tools and strategies to integrate use into their day to day workflow, ensuring tracking and data collection is happening on time and to a high standard
Complete classroom observations of Jr and Sr Seminar Counselors and provide feedback with a clear action step to strengthen content delivery
Manage team conflict and student related issues
Lead hiring process for College & Career Counselor when positions become available
Lead the Bottoms up Goal Setting process with HS match team and develop annual strategic plan for meeting the match goals
Plan & facilitate monthly Match Meetings
Develop and lead execution of parent engagement strategy, related to the postsecondary match work
Ensure implementation of the Career Integration plan
Collaborate with SpEd team to align support for students with IEPs, including transition plans
Lead progress monitoring & data analysis for school specific KIPP Forward data that will allow the department to identify focus areas: Persistence and Match Data Trends, Ethnicity/Sub-groups Trends, GPA Segment Trends
Support the development of strategy as we reimagine our counseling services to reflect our new KIPP vision & mission. This work includes but is not limited to integrating career into Seminar Curriculum & ensuring vertical alignment across grade levels
Track and maintain student college & career data (GPA, test scores, postsecondary program wish lists, letters of recommendations, internships, etc.) using regional spreadsheets, Overgrad, Salesforce, and additional platforms
Plan and participate in consistent one-on-one meetings with KIPP Forward Associate Director of Postsecondary Match
Monitor student placement in summer opportunities/programs/internships
Lead planning and execution of major events with the support of match and career team- including College/CTE Program Rep Visits, College & Career Success Nights, College trips, CTE tours/site visits, Teacher Recommendation workshop, and Senior Signing Day
Facilitate and encourage collaboration between KIPP Forward and campus stakeholders, including school leadership, faculty, and staff to continually improve student outcomes
Plan and deliver presentations to school staff 2-4 times a year (KIPP Forward data/relevant topics)
Collaborate with the KIPP Forward Postsecondary Team to ensure a strong transition for all students
Develop and maintain relationships with local community based organization, postsecondary programs, colleges and universities’ admissions office
Communicate with admissions representatives to discuss student applications
Advocate on behalf of students with college & career partners
Ensure students and parents are aware of their postsecondary options and what they need to do to be successful
Liaison to the KIPP Foundation regarding college match initiatives
Provide input to DSO/DSIM regarding the course advising process
Provide input to school leadership and regional registrar regarding student progress to graduation requirements
Attend regional and national conferences relating to college access, career readiness, and match
Serve as the ACT Testing Coordinator for 11th and 12th graders
Plan and lead weekly College & Career Counseling Department Meetings
Serve as the Junior/Senior Seminar Content Team Co-Lead, leading modifications to the courses long term plan
Review lesson plans and provide feedback to strengthen content delivery
Review unit plans, provide feedback to ensure effective content delivery as well as the structure to conduct O3s
Ensure all CKCS assessments and feedback surveys are completed
Support in the development of the regional long term plan for 9th and 10th grade
Lead 9-10th grade CKCS curriculum facilitators to create their scope & sequence for the year, ensuring all CKCS lessons are included
Serve as support to 9-10th grade facilitators throughout the year, ensuring they have access to all curriculum materials
Participate in weekly/monthly professional development opportunities facilitated by the KIPP Foundation
Support AD of Postsecondary Match with KIPP Forward Regional Learning Sessions
Attend and participate in all KIPP Forward team meetings/professional development sessions
If there is a world where this role will be substitute teaching for Junior and Senior Seminar courses, they will be required to have a clear background clearance by the state’s licensing body (hold a Certificate of Clearance) and at minimum a substitute teaching permit)
Support other school functions, such as planning for graduation