Director of College and Career Advising

Company Description

About KIPP Kansas City Public Schools:

KIPP Kansas City Public Schools is part of a nationwide network of free, open-enrollment, college-preparatory charter schools dedicated to preparing students in educationally underserved communities for success in college and life. Our strength as a region serves as a catalyst for empowerment, change, and hope.

Founded in 2007, KIPP Kansas City Public Schools began with KIPP Endeavor Academy, serving approximately 31 fifth-grade students. Today, we educate approximately 1,000 students from Pre-K through 12th grade, with our community continuing to expand. Together with families and communities, we strive to create joyful, academically excellent schools that equip students with the skills and confidence to pursue their chosen paths—whether college, career, or beyond—so they can lead fulfilling lives and contribute to a more just world.

Job Description

School Leadership Team Responsibilities 

Participate on the School's Leadership Team and grade-level leadership team to share crucial college and career knowledge and keep leaders aware of students' goals and progress towards their postsecondary plans 

Lead department meetings and professional development related to KIPP Forward. Includes: 2x a month meeting with Counseling team to review data 

Facilitate Monthly Match Meetings with high school leadership, KIPP Forward leadership, regional leadership, and the counseling team. 

Facilitate and encourage strong communication between high school and KIPP Forward staff, teams and departments to continually improve outcomes. 

College and Career Counseling Leadership 

Lead execution of Counseling and Match strategy, including support of an Early Decision cohort and development of a strong personal statement for every Senior 

Establish system to ensure every Junior and Senior meets 1:1 with their counselor 2x per year 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 Implement and manage special initiatives and programs that grow college and career readiness skills and exposure for students 

Establish and maintain relationships/partnerships with colleges and universities, summer programs, and scholarship organizations; maintain current and formalize new partnerships with external organizations to increase available options for career and summer programs. 

Serve as main point of contact for college admissions representatives, actively managing those relationships, building new relationships that could serve students, and advocating on behalf of students with additional appeals for admission and financial aid when necessary 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 Organize family engagement workshops related to postsecondary education options 

Support Nudge for Match program, including opt-in campaigns and incorporation of content into counseling 

Team Management 

Develop an inclusive, positive, and effective team culture by developing ambitious team goals, building the team's competencies. 

Create a collaborative team with consistent communication with key stakeholders, teammates, and families. 

Provide professional development to College and Career Counselors and College Readiness Teachers in the form of department meetings, and when beneficial, outside workshops, conferences, visits or trainings, as well as co-planning mid and end of year team step backs.

Provide training to high school staff on how to support students in the college application process, including writing letters of recommendation. 

Directly manage junior and senior college and career counselors, supporting with student postsecondary guidance, coaching, and goal setting to define success for the semester/year and beyond.

KIPP:Forward 

Observe counselors conducting 1:1s with students 2x per year and provide feedback 

Conduct weekly one-on-one check-ins with direct reports and participate in weekly one-on-one check- ins with the School Leader and the Regional Managing Director of KIPP Forward (or Director of Postsecondary Match) along with mid-year and end-of-year evaluations 

Progress monitor all postsecondary access goals 

Oversee KIPP Forward campus team expenditures 

Goals and Data Management 

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