College and Career Coach - GEAR UP Kentucky (Multiple Positions)

Hiring three positions: Bath County High School, Frankfort Independent High School, and Mercer County High School.
Primary working conditions: Works primarily in assigned school building(s) or district(s) with infrequent in-state and out-of-state travel required.
Position:  Interim state employment, mid-August through mid-May.

Overview

GEAR UP Kentucky (GUK) College & Career Coaches (CCC) serve as advisors to a cohort(s) of GEAR UP students and families in a participating high school during the academic year. The anticipated contract timeframe for 2023-24 will be (August 16, 2023 –May 15, 2024).

Coaches collaborate with school and GUK staff to assist students and their families in making meaningful connections between school, work, and career and college options and pathways. Coaches work with their District Program Manager (DPM) and School Site Teams to deliver a structured curriculum, provide individualized student and family advising, coordinate and implement GUK services and events.

Coaches will have access to multiple professional development and networking opportunities related to the education sector. Some in-state and overnight travel is expected to attend GUK-sponsored trainings, meetings, and conferences. Candidates will complete all required trainings and background checks required by the school district in which they serve.

Duties and Responsibilities

Instruction & Service Delivery

• Communicate the GUK vision and mission effectively and represent the GUK brand to all stakeholders.
• Implement the school site team plan designed to implement activities for cohort students and their families.
• Inform students, families, and school staff about the purpose, services, and resources available through GUK through student/family orientations and/or participation in school-based events.
• Facilitate delivery of student curricula, advising, and related student and family activities to implement the GEAR UP Kentucky program with fidelity
• Recruit and support students to participate in GUK student engagement and leadership program opportunities (e.g., peer mentoring, peer tutoring, Student Ambassadors, etc.)
• Promote, recruit and support cohort students to participate in GUK summer program opportunities, plan and coordinate family orientation sessions for participating students.
• Arrange college campus visits and career-focused field trips for cohort students.
• Communicate postsecondary-related and student success information and resources with family members via text using designated platform.
• Coordinate the administration of student and family surveys.
• Collaborate with students and families to promote college awareness via college campus visits, summer experiences, and other innovative strategies designed to instill a postsecondary-going culture for all students.
• Assist the school (as requested) to meet mandates for each student to complete an Individual Learning Plan (ILP).
• Collaborate with partner agencies to coordinate and support workshops for postsecondary options including: financial aid, college survival skills, college search workshops, vocational training or apprenticeship programs, workforce readiness skills development, and military career opportunities.
• Provide guidance and support to families to develop plans for high school and postsecondary success.

Program and Relationship Management

• Collaborate with school staff and other program partners to fully implement services for GUK students and families and ensure participation is documented for all GUK-sponsored program activities.
• Coordinate the implementation of services according to timelines established by the grant.
• Serve on project team(s) for development, feedback, revision of GUK strategies.
• Make recommendations to GUK District Implementation Team and/or project teams to enhance and ensure the efficient and effective operation of the program.
• Evaluate workshop and program activities, including analysis of outcomes and recommendations for improvements, when appropriate.
• Collaborate with district personnel, GUK staff, and other partners in coordinating professional development opportunities for school staff, in alignment with school-based and GUK program goals and initiatives.
• Communicate with direct supervisor, District Program Manager/Coordinator, regarding budgetary needs, progress toward goals, and service implementation timelines.

Student Monitoring and Advising

• Comply with all data collection and reporting requirements in a timely manner, including student/family participation data, time and effort logs, student assessment records, media release forms, student/family surveys and other data requests.
• Maintain confidentiality and accuracy of all student records.
• Continuously monitor students’ progress and document the provision of resources for enrichments and interventions to students, teachers, and families.
• Conduct career interest assessments to help students identify potential pathways and relevant academic strategies required to reach their career goals.

Professional Development

• Participate in professional development opportunities seminars, conferences, and networking opportunities as assigned.
• Complete other duties (in any area) as assigned.

Education and Experience

Minimum Training and Experience

• Enrolled undergraduate with minimum 60 college credit hours, seeking degree in the area of education, psychology, sociology, guidance counseling, business management, communications, or a closely related field.
• Courses/degrees in the areas of teaching, guidance counseling, college and career advising, youth development, and/or social work preferred.
• Candidates with an associate degree not in one of the areas outlined above will be considered if they have relevant experience in providing direct services to this age group.
• Experience with high school age students is preferred.

Preferred Skills and Abilities

Successful applicants will demonstrate the following:

• Proficient skills in the use of Microsoft Office Suite programs (i.e., Word, Excel, and PowerPoint); proficient written and oral communication skills.
• Proficiency in human relations and interpersonal skills with a positive, outgoing, and highly motivated personality.
• Skills in problem solving and multi-tasking and ability to negotiate difficult situations between all project stakeholders.
• Strong work ethic and the ability to work independently.
• Ability to achieve project deliverables in a timely fashion.
• Strong presentation skills and the ability to communicate information effectively with a variety of audiences
• Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments.
• Ability to work collaboratively with school administration and staff as well as program partners.

Salary and Benefits

• GEAR UP College and Career Coaches will be paid hourly as interim employees through the Council on Postsecondary Education
• Hourly rate is based on education and relevant professional experience as outlined below:
• $15/hour - internship credit.
• $16/hour - conferred Associate degree in specific area OR Associate in another area with 2 years relevant experience.
• $17/hour - Bachelor’s degree and <5 yrs. relevant work experience.
• $18/hour -
• Master’s or above with 0 - 5 years’ experience,       
• Bachelors with 1-5 years’ experience AND teaching/counseling certificate,
• Bachelors and 5-10 yrs. work experience.
• $19/hour -
• Bachelors with 5+ teaching/counseling experience,
• Bachelors with 10+ yrs. experience,
• Master’s or Above and 5+ yrs. experience.
• Employed mid-August to mid-May with 90-day gap in employment between interim positions.
• 37.5 hours per week, occasional evening/weekend events using flex schedule at supervisor discretion.
• 1 day (7.5 hours) sick leave accrued per month IF work at least 100 hours that month.
• Paid state holidays that occur during the employment period.
• Annual $1/hour pay raise up to maximum rate, if meet following requirements: return for next academic year, completed at least 700 hours in previous academic term, recommended to rehire by supervisor.

Contact Information

Interested applicants should send a letter of application specifically addressing the responsibilities and qualifications of the position and indicating the school(s) interested in serving, a resume, and the names, titles, and contact information for at least three professional references to:

Rae Smith, Human Resources
Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education
CPE.HR@ky.gov