KIPP Forward Counselor (Middle School)

Job Description

Job Description

Who We Are

KIPP SoCal Public Schools is a nonprofit organization that operates 20 tuition-free, open-enrollment charter public schools, within 17 Local Education Agencies (LEA), educating more than 10,000 students and supporting 8,300 alumni to and through college and beyond. Our award winning schools are part of the national KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program) network, dedicated to meeting the needs of all learners and providing the social, emotional and academic support for success in high school, college, and life.

Mission

Together with families and communities, we create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose—college, career and beyond—so they can lead fulfilling lives and create a more just world.

What We Do

At KIPP SoCal we build trusting relationships that are strengthened by high expectations and collaboration alongside laughter and joy. We set ambitious goals and hold each other accountable for students achieving their greatest potential. We work together with each other and in partnership with families and communities in the active pursuit of a more equitable world. We do the right thing, even when it's not always comfortable standing up and speaking out against anti-blackness, racism, oppression, and injustice. We persevere through obstacles and treat failure as an opportunity to learn and grow.

KIPP Forward’s middle school team is responsible for preparing KIPP SoCal students for success in high school, college, career, and beyond. The KIPP Forward Counselor will support students and families across 2-3 assigned KIPP SoCal middle schools in the Los Angeles area, including communities such as Southeast Los Angeles, Compton, South Los Angeles, and Boyle Heights.

The KIPP Forward Counselor will work closely with school staff, students, and families to provide high-quality advising, high school application support, programming, family workshops, and classroom facilitation. This role focuses on helping students and families explore strong high school options, navigate the high school application and enrollment process, and make informed decisions about their next steps after middle school. The KIPP Forward Counselor will report to the KIPP Forward Manager and work alongside other KIPP Forward Counselors who support families throughout the region. They will collaborate with KIPP SoCal school teams and regional staff to develop and foster a college-going culture across assigned KIPP SoCal middle schools.

• Conduct advising sessions with students and parents/guardian about high school options 
• Build and maintain strong knowledge of high school options in assigned communities in order to advise students and families, coordinate effective application processes, and provide hands-on support with high school applications
• Lead family education at school sites focused on high school readiness, application requirements, and enrollment processes
• Facilitate monthly lessons to students focused on high school, college, and career readiness 
• Execute high school and career exploration events for students and families, including visits, workshops, fairs, and presentations
• Track and maintain accurate student application data

• Cultivate authentic communication and rapport with families through regular, proactive, and accessible communication
• Maintain regular and effective communication with School Leader, school staff, and regional KIPP Forward team to collectively support students and families 
• Foster collaborative relationships with high schools and community organizations on behalf of KIPP SoCal 
• Collaborate with school staff to foster strong family engagement, high school readiness, and college-going culture within each school community 
• Balance responsibilities across multiple campuses, including scheduling, family outreach, data tracking, and school-specific priorities

• Unquestioned commitment to educational equity, youth, and KIPP SoCal’s mission
• Bachelor’s degree
• Strong organizational skills
• Minimum of 2 years of experience teaching, advising, or working with families in a middle school, high school, or college access setting
• Experience working in communities historically underrepresented in higher education
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and build relationships with diverse stakeholders
• Excellent communication skills and keen attention to detail

• Hourly rate for this role ranges from $27.00-$27.50 per hour. This is a full-time, non-exempt role.
• 100% of healthcare premium costs covered by employer, dependents added at 50% of cost
• KIPP SoCal life insurance
• 401(k) plan with up to 6% match by KIPP SoCal
• Voluntary Benefits (Supplemental Life, Accident, Short Term Disability, etc.)
• Other great benefits (Flexible spending account, EAP, etc.)

KIPP SoCal Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation/gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

KIPP SoCal strives to ensure that our careers website is accessible to all, including individuals with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process due to a disability, please contact us. You can find our contact information on our website, Information will be sent to a talent acquisition representative who will provide assistance to ensure appropriate consideration in the hiring process.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.