Student Enrollment & Retention Specialist (Temporary) - Student Placement Services

Student Enrollment & Retention Specialist (Temporary)

Under general supervision, creates and implements new recruitment and retention strategies to assist in the continued growth of enrollment at MPS. Serves as a resource for families in the selection of a school that will maximize their students' potential and meet their multi-lingual and multi-cultural needs.

Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Counsels students and families on school choice options that best meet student's academic needs and adheres to MPS policies and procedures; provides culturally competent counsel in home language to students and families.
• Supports and initiates best practices to recruit, support, and retain students by using feedback from surveys, phone calls, and other tools to monitor and improve systems that promote student retention and academic success.
• Prepares and implements recruitment activities for assigned areas; works with students, parents, and alumni of MPS to assist with the recruitment of students/families.
• Improves student retention rate by tracking progress of students through their program and counsels students regarding personal and/or academic issues; refers to other sources of counseling as needed.
• Coordinates evaluation and testing of EL students; assigns EL students to appropriate school; coordinates efforts with Multilingual Department in regard to student services.
• Organizes and presents school choice materials at various outreach meetings and events to include cultural/language specific events.
• Assists with special events, public programs and community meetings.
• Responds to email and telephone inquiries from parents and district employees.
• Demonstrates courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with students, clients, visitors, and MPS staff; acts in a manner that promotes a harmonious and effective workplace environment.
• Enthusiastically promotes the Superintendent's goals and priorities in compliance with all policies and procedures.
• Maintains absolute confidentiality of work-related issues, records and MPS information.

Minimum qualifications include a high school diploma or equivalent, four years of experience in customer service, communications, public relations or public education programs, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience as determined by Human Resources. Knowledge of rules and regulations of the Minnesota Department of Education and other governing agencies, applicable policies, procedures and regulations covering specific areas of assignment, principles and practices of public relations, marketing and public communications, local community resources and regional community services programs, local and regional geographical area, road systems, and the locations of landmarks and buildings, principles of record keeping and records management, providing effective customer service, gathering and compiling data, interpreting, applying and explaining applicable policies and procedures, conflict-resolution for reaching best outcomes in sensitive situations, operating a personal computer utilizing standard and specialized software, establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with co-workers, effective verbal and written communication, dealing successfully with a variety of individuals from various socioeconomic, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, in person and over the telephone.

A valid Minnesota State Driver's License may be required. Some positions may require demonstrated fluency (read, write, speak and comprehend) in either Spanish, Hmong, Somali.

Work is performed in a standard office environment which requires occasionally lifting such articles as file boxes or heavier materials with help from others and/or lifting and carrying light objects frequently. A job in this category may require walking or standing to a significant degree or may involve sitting most of the time with long periods of computer work and heavy phone usage.

Minneapolis Public Schools strongly encourages diverse candidates to apply.