Program Coordinator, Navigate - College Possible Leadership Team

Program Coordinator, Navigate
College Possible Portland

About College Possible:

As one of the largest and most successful college access and success organizations in the country, since 2000 College Possible has empowered more than 85,700 students on their path to earning a college degree. Its pioneering model matches eligible students with a near-peer coach and an evidence-based curriculum designed to help them overcome the most common barriers to getting into college and completing their degree - all at no cost to students or their families. Compared with their peers from similar backgrounds, College Possible students are 30% more likely to enroll in college the year after high school graduation, and three times more likely to earn a bachelor's degree.

College Possible is a proud AmeriCorps program. AmeriCorps is a federal agency that brings people together to tackle the country's most pressing challenges through national service. Our AmeriCorps members commit to a year of service as College Possible coaches in communities throughout the country. Many represent the identities of the students they serve, and each brings a commitment to social justice and closing the college equity divide.

Our near-peer coaching model has earned national recognition: the inaugural Evergreen National Education Award recognized our leadership in increasing access to and success in college for students from low-income backgrounds. It also earns top-of-field results: a Harvard study found that the program more than doubles a student's chance of enrolling in a four-year college, and our students are four times more likely to become college graduates than their low-income peers. College Possible has an annual operating budget of ~$33.5 million, more than 190 full-time employees and more than 245 AmeriCorps and VISTA service members. During the 2021-2022 school year, we reached an estimated 25,700 students nationwide.

Headquartered in Saint Paul, MN, College Possible operates regional sites in Austin, TX; Chicago, IL; Milwaukee, WI; Omaha, NE; Philadelphia, PA; Portland, OR; Saint Paul, MN; and Seattle, WA; as well as Catalyze partnerships in California, Iowa, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Tennessee and Texas.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

College Possible is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, and seeks to build a diverse workforce to create impact in partnership with the communities we serve. We welcome a diverse pool of qualified applicants. For each of its positions, College Possible is mindful about what best serves our students, and seeks to hire staff with relevant experience, skills and aptitude, and a commitment to the power of education.

Equal Opportunity Employer

College Possible is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, or status with regard to public assistance. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals and conduct all possible activities in fully accessible settings. Alternative application formats are available upon request by contacting hr@collegepossible.org.

Your Role as Program Coordinator Navigate

We are seeking a motivated, driven authentic and inquisitive leader to join our successful, growing organization as part of our program leadership team. The Program Coordinator supervises, trains, and supports 2-4 AmeriCorps Members who directly deliver College Possible programming to high school juniors and seniors in our Navigate program. Coordinator may also supervise AmeriCorps transition coaches in the spring and summer months. The Program Coordinator will also take the lead on relationship development and communication with our Navigate partner schools. They will also oversee student recruitment at our partner high schools.

• Supervise, Train and Support AmeriCorps Members: Provide daily support, guidance, and oversight to AmeriCorps Members to ensure excellence in service and programming. Troubleshoot issues as they arise, evaluate performance, gather feedback, and work in partnership with other staff to ensure the highest quality of service to students and professional development of AmeriCorps Members. Coordinate, prepare for, and lead high-quality trainings and weekly meetings for Corps Members.
• Ensure Program Quality & Provide Organizational Management: Help ensure the delivery of high-quality programming to students. Oversee the implementation of the College Possible curriculum and ensure that AmeriCorps members receive adequate training and support to successfully support students and achieve program goals. Ensure that AmeriCorps members implement activities outside of everyday interaction with students, such as college visits, ACT exams, college prep talks, college panels, and program-wide events. Help to design and lead those events as assigned.
• Maintain High School Relationships: Work to deepen partnerships and maintain successful relationships with high schools. Maintain communication with key contacts at each school to assess program quality, results and overall high school and district satisfaction; attend high school events where appropriate; and foster successful communication as the representative of College Possible's Navigate program. Support Navigate HS partnerships and student support through program growth and transitions.
• Evaluate, Track and Report on Progress: Assist the Program Manager in the weekly tracking, evaluation and reporting of student progress in key program areas. Maintain member files and accurately report member hours.
• Take Lead Role in Navigate Student Recruitment: Lead planning and scheduling of recruitment trips to Navigate partner schools. Oversee and supervise AmeriCorps members on recruitment trips.
• Other duties as assigned.

What You Bring

Education/Certifications/Licenses:

• Bachelor's degree and at least two years of full-time work experience required;
• Supervisory experience strongly preferred;
• Familiarity with college admissions process, including standardized tests, application process and financial aid strongly preferred;
• Experience with AmeriCorps, VISTA, or other service programs preferred;
• Teaching, mentoring, and/or college admissions experience desired;
• Experience working in rural communities strongly preferred.

Computer/Software Skills:

• Strong computer skills, including demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office products;
• Proficiency with Salesforce is helpful, but not required.

Other Skills, Abilities and Requirements:

• Eagerness to help young people from low-income backgrounds achieve postsecondary success;
• Ability to hold Service Corps members to high expectations and provide support for professional development and problem solving;
• Excellent communication, organization, and time management skills;
• Ability to build trust, provide positive and developmental feedback, and motivate others;
• Ability to work well with a diverse range of people across multiple teams;
• Able to use evidence to improve outcomes and to lead a team in achieving goals;
• Ability to multitask, meet deadlines, and handle potentially stressful situations calmly and appropriately;
• Flexibility to work in multiple locations, as time is split between the College Possible office and affiliated schools;
• Able to adapt to change and to promote readiness for change in others;
• Able to identify creative solutions and present recommendations that best meet the needs of students and stakeholders;
• Must have a commitment to engage in diversity, inclusion, and equity work;
• Must be willing and able to work occasional evenings and weekends. Access to reliable transportation required.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift up to 15 pounds when needed
• Office environment and travel to partner high schools and community partners across the state on a near-monthly basis
• Ability to stand and/or sit for a minimum of 7 hours a day

What We Offer

In addition to joining a committed, diverse, values-based organization, we offer:

• An opportunity for you to have a tremendous impact both internally and in the broader country
• A starting salary of $50,000 annually
• excellent benefits including complete health, dental, life, short-term and long-term insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Encouraged sustainability through an unlimited paid time off program
• Personalized professional development and growth opportunities

To Join Our Growing College Possible Team

Please apply at: www.CollegePossible.org/careers Include a resume and cover letter.