Job Description

POSITION OVERVIEW

The College Match Counselor is the central point of contact for all KIPP alumni who have completed 8th grade at a KIPP middle school and attend non-KIPP district or independent high schools. The College Match Counselor is responsible for maintaining the KIPP Through College relationship and continuing to invest alumni in their pursuit to and through college. The CMC will carry out specific services with students across each grade including local school visits, workshops, and signing students up for the ACT while holding students accountable to specific milestones that prepare them for the college application process such as being involved in extracurricular activities or creating a college resume. Most importantly, the College Match Counselor will manage the college application process for seniors by building college wish lists and supporting application submission, to tracking FAFSA submission and supporting acceptance and financial package evaluation. Furthermore, the College Match Counselor will support additional KIPP Through College projects as needed including middle school enrichment opportunities, data-entry and evaluation, event planning, and more. This position will be housed within KIPP OKC College Prep and will report to the KTC Director.

 RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COLLEGE MATCH COUNSELOR INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

Alumni Support

• Manage a caseload of 100+ KTC alumni students in 9- 12th grade attending various district and independent high schools, providing advising services focused on college counseling and admissions, high school graduation and college completion. 60% - 70% of the role will consist of engaging with seniors, the remaining 30%-40% will be aimed at working with underclassmen. 
  • Build strong relationships with KIPP OKC alumni and their families through one-on-one meetings, family meetings, phone calls, social media, high school visits and more.
  • Maintain monthly or quarterly communication with alumni and their families (depending on the grade) to support students with high school credit auditing, resume and career counseling, college wish list completion, and the college and financial aid application process (including, but not limited to: college essays, letters of recommendation, the college application, asking for transcripts, FAFSA/CSS completion, filing taxes, FSA ID, navigating financial verification, analyzing financial aid letters) and more.
  • Collect and analyze college admissions decisions and financial aid packages to help students and families in their college matriculation decisions.
  • Support students in the summer between 12th grade and freshman year to ensure they are on track to enroll in college.
• Provide alumni with consistent information on college scholarships and organizations focused on college persistence and completion.
• Organize workshops for students and families aligned with supporting them through the college application process and providing social engagements to connect with KTC.
• Research/assist alumni with placement in summer opportunities/programs/internships to further career readiness opportunities.
• Collaborate with contacts at local colleges and universities in order to build relationships that yield strong matriculation.
• Track student data (contact information, grades, financial aid, scholarships, etc.) using the Alumni Database.
• Plan and execute the annual College Transition Retreat, with support from the KTC Team.

KIPP Through College Team Collaboration

• Collaborate with KTC Team on all aspects of college placement and persistence: financial aid, scholarships, applications, retention, graduation and admissions standards.
• Coordinate with other KTC staff to develop and deliver programs and events that will motivate alumni to remain connected to KIPP OKC. 
• Drive KIPP OKC’s pre-college enrichment opportunities. Generate lists of opportunities and coordinate for middle school contacts when available.

Please note that the College Match Counselor role will adapt and change in the coming years in response to the needs of the students and families we serve.

Qualifications

·        Bachelor’s degree from an accredited 4-year college, required

·        2-4 years of demonstrated success in college access AND/OR advising low-income, first generation college applicants and their families, or 2-4 years of demonstrated success teaching in underserved or urban communities, required

·        Fluency in Spanish is a plus

Additional Information

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS 

• Salary is commensurate with experience. KIPP OKC teachers earn a salary that is an average of $7k more than the surrounding districts.
• Employee health insurance coverage
• Life insurance including AD & D
• Oklahoma Teachers Retirement System contributions
• Compensated leave time for illness or personal reasons
• All staff members are issued a laptop computer and instructional technological equipment.
• Professional growth and leadership opportunities within KIPP OKC.

KIPP OKC is dedicated to equal employment opportunities and fair labor practices. KIPP OKC provides equal employment opportunities to all individuals based on job-related qualifications, and the ability to perform a job without regard to race, color, gender, gender identity, gender expression, religious creed, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, genetic information, legally protected medical condition, veteran status, sexual orientation, or on any other basis made unlawful by federal, state or local laws. It is our policy to maintain a non-discriminatory environment free from intimidation, harassment or bias based upon these grounds.