Post-Secondary Counselor

Company Description

KIPP Metro Atlanta Schools is part of the growing network of KIPP Public Schools. KIPP Public Schools is a national network of free, open enrollment, college-preparatory public schools dedicated to supporting all students to reach their highest aspirations. There are 270 KIPP schools across the nation serving more than 120,000students. Nationally, KIPP students have a 4X higher graduation rate than that of their peers.

KIPP Metro Atlanta currently operates eleven KIPP schools including four primary schools, five middle schools, one K-8 school, and one high school, as well as the KIPP Forward program which supports students through college, career, and beyond. 

Job Description

The Post-Secondary Counselor is a full-time position on the KIPP Forward (KFWD) team. The KFWD department supports alumni of KIPP Metro Atlanta Schools to and through college. The Post-Secondary Counselor provides daily classroom instruction, college advising, counseling, and support to students enrolled at KIPP Atlanta Collegiate High School to ensure a strong and strategic college match for all students. A major component of this program is the College Success Seminar Course, which is planned and taught by the Post-Secondary Counselors.

As a Post-Secondary Counselor, your core responsibilities include:

Student Focus

• Manage an assigned caseload 12th-grade KIPP Atlanta Collegiate students focusing on college wish list creation, and strategic match college application and matriculation
• Post-Secondary Counselors  should be versed in all grade level strategies, as our department uses a “role with” model
• Plan and teach 3 periods of Senior Seminar daily, versed in lesson planning and understanding  of the cohesive coaching cycle
• Collaborate with the 12th-grade team to ensure high-quality student wish lists and strategic college matriculation decisions
• Plan college tours and coordinate high school visits from college admissions representatives
• Strong knowledge of financial aid support (including FAFSA, HOPE Scholarship and Achieve Atlanta) and college scholarships
• Track and maintain current data (grades/standardized test scores, college admissions, financial aid/scholarship data.) using Overgrad and Salesforce
• Support and Facilitate various student and parent workshops taking place during the day and in the evening
• Research/assist with student placement in summer opportunities/programs/internships
• Provide preparation for the ACT; including guidance through registration and score submission
• Write letters of recommendation for student college and scholarship applications
• Complete daily campus responsibilities at KIPP Atlanta Collegiate, including morning duty, grade-level meetings, family events, weekly staff meetings, school-based and regional professional development

Stakeholder Relations

• Engage families throughout the college admission process 
• Communicate the college match and Financial Aid process through one-on-one and whole-group meetings
• Generate reports and any other collection data
• Develop and maintain relationships with colleges and universities admissions office
• Involvement in the annual College Fair and all KFWD programming
• Plan and participate in weekly one-on-one meetings with the manager
• Collaborate in the planning and execution of the college transition with the Persistence Team
• Attend and participate in all KFWD team meetings, Post-Secondary Counselor meetings, and Regional support team meetings

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (required)
• Strong organizational skills
• Strong project and time management capabilities
• Has prior experience working with students and their families from low-income communities with demonstrable results, preferably as a college advisor, college admissions counselor, or at an institution of higher education support office
• Is committed to developing himself/herself professionally through development opportunities, participation in organizations that support college access, and staying current in college access literature
• Proficient in Google Suite, MS Office, particularly Word, Excel, and PowerPoint with a strong preference for candidates with Overgrad and Salesforce experience
• Committed to the mission of preparing educationally underserved children for college and beyond

Additional Information

Compensation:

We offer a competitive salary that depends on prior experience, as well as a benefits package including

• Healthcare (medical, vision, and dental) 
• Life and Long-term Disability
• Additional Voluntary Supplemental Insurance 
• Enrollment in the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia (mandatory for all employe