2024-25 NY Summer Programs Coordinator - Achievement First

School Year: 2024-2025

About Achievement First:

Achievement First is a non-profit charter school management organization that is creating a network of achievement-gap-closing public schools in Rhode Island, New York, Connecticut and other high-need areas in the Northeast. Achievement First currently operates 25 schools in Providence, Brooklyn, New Haven, Bridgeport and Hartford. Over 90% of our students are Black and Latino. Over the next five years, Achievement First plans to open 10-15 additional schools, spanning the full K-12 spectrum and creating college-prep opportunities for more than 14,000 students. Beyond our students and schools, Achievement First is an engaged and prominent partner in the larger conversation about how to improve public education and student achievement in our country. For more information about the Achievement First mission, approach, our schools and team, please visit our website at www.achievementfirst.org.

Summary

The primary responsibility of the Summer Programs Coordinator is to ensure that 100% of all 9-11th graders are placed in and matriculate to one of three summer program tiers (Pre-College, Internship, Enrichment). The Summer Programs Coordinator will work with our scholars and their families throughout 9-11th grades to match them to summer experiences that cultivate their interests and passions. The Summer Programs coordinator supports 9-11th graders through every phase of the summer programs application process including but not limited to determining admissibility for specific programs, matching scholars to appropriate programs, supporting their completion of high-quality essays and financial aid applications, preparing them for interviews, and determining all necessary steps to matriculate to summer programs. The ideal candidate is skilled at building strong relationships with students and families. In addition, strong candidates are creative problem solvers that have an entrepreneurial spirit, are systems-driven, highly-organized, relentlessness, and have impeccable follow-through. The ideal candidate will also possess research, networking, and communication skills for recruiting and retaining high-quality internships and pre-college program spots that best position our scholars to be competitive for the top colleges and support early awareness experiences of life beyond high school. In order to meet the ambitious goals, an ideal candidate must also plan carefully in order to ensure strategic use of time and resources. The Summer Programs Coordinator will report directly to the Dean of College.

Summer Program Manager role is a key part of Team College & Career Program.and launch the post-secondary planning process by increasing career exposure,awareness, through meaningful work-based learning and school activity opportunities. Achievement First students are provided access to a range of opportunities across the college and career continuum coordinated by the Summer Program Manager through partnerships between the school, youth organizations, employers, and community or governmental organizations.

The Summer Programs Coordinator’s responsibilities include:

• Summer Programs Placement and Application Process for 9-11th graders

• Assess and collect students' interests to facilitate strong matching to programs and opportunities each summer in high school including but not limited to pre-college programs, internships, work-based learning experiences, volunteer opportunities, and enrichment programming.

• Support and guide all 9-11th grade students and families through each step of the summer programs placement and application process including but not limited to application essays, financial aid paperwork, interview preparation and execution, and financial aid support

• Career Exploration and Exposure Opportunities and Events Planning & Execution

• Providing space for students to assess and reflect on various career interests through career assessment and reflection tool (True Colors, Hollands Code, O*Net, etc.)

• Partnering with school staff (ops, DOCC, TCC) to support school wide programming of career exposure

• Supporting students with the development and organization of portfolio of key information (resume, brag sheet, interest surveys)

• Facilitate career exposure and awareness through assessment, reflection, and work-based learning experiences

• Building Relationships with Students and Families

• Plan and lead workshops for parents on key topics (summer programs requirements, financial aid planning, matriculation to and completion of summer programs, workplace norms, etc. ) related to the summer programs process

• Partner with and invest parents and students in understanding the different application requirements and deadlines, associated with different summer programs and the impact that the summer program experience has in supporting students to cultivate interests, best position a student for competitive college admissions, and build a resume that tells their story to colleges

• Write and manage the collection of letters of recommendations for all students who need letters of recommendation for summer programs, including providing professional development and coaching for the Letter of Recommendation writing process for all teachers.

• Partnership Relationship Development

• Contact and meet with program representatives to build positive relationships and market AF and AF applicants

• Recruit and retain partnerships, annually, to secure guaranteed spots in both pre-college programs, internships, work-based learning, volunteer, and enrichment experiences

• Become familiar with the academic and social environments at the various summer programs scholars attend in an effort to recommend suitable matches

• Develop and maintain a robust network of summer programs contacts through regular communication that best support first generation, low- income college students

• College Department Team Member & Special Projects Planning

• Assist with the administration of the SAT assessments (PSAT and SAT)

• Attend and plan an overnight college trip for all students

• Plan and coordinate key events for the college team (NOTE: This may include a Summer Programs Fair, Career Day, etc.)

• Support the college counselors with aspects of the fall senior college application process

• Work with other members of the school-based college team to ensure alignment of college process and collect feedback from College Counselors about the influence of summer programs

• Additional duties as assigned, depending on school site

• Other School-Based Responsibilities:

• Participate in school-wide professional development, grade-level teams, and school-specific duties

• Support and participate in school-wide activities and programming

QUALIFICATIONS:

The ideal candidate for this position will possess the following:

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four-year educational institution

• Previous experience in either working in high schools and/or managing complex projects

Skills and Mindsets:

• Ability to work urgently in a fast-paced and results-oriented environment

• Ability to juggle multiple tasks with various moving components, long term projects and initiatives at once

• Detail-oriented and self-directed, with relentless accountability to deadlines, internal and external

• Strong analytical and written communication skills

• Initiator, problem-solver, and creative thinker

• Ability to maintain emotional control under stress

• Proficiency with all MS Office programs including: Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook

• An ability to work well with students, their families and the entire Achievement First Staff

• Belief in and commitment to the mission and core values of Achievement First Public Charter Schools

• Openness to giving and receiving frequent feedback

• Demonstrated ability to work on a team

• A dedication to learn, grow, and develop as a professional

To Apply:

Please visit the Achievement First careers site at http://www.achievementfirst.org/careers/.

Achievement First is an equal opportunity employer. People of color and individuals from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Learn more about diversity and inclusion at Achievement First at http://www.achievementfirst.org/about-us/diversity/