Assistant Director of Placement

Job Description

Job Description

Reporting to the Director of Placement, the Assistant Director of Placement is an integral part of the placement team. They have both internal and external roles and are a key player in the operational success of the Admissions & Placement department.

The Assistant Director of Placement must be motivated by working with underserved youth and their families and excited about working in an entrepreneurial environment where innovation and creativity are celebrated. They must have an engaging personality, exceptional interpersonal skills, and a desire to help people, as they will spend much of their time guiding others. They must be highly detail-oriented, have excellent organizational skills, and be able to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines. During certain times of the year, they will be required to work Tuesday - Saturday. During the summer program, they will be required to supervise scholars overnight in a residential setting.
Benefits
Flexible work schedule, Medical insurance, Dental insurance, Vision insurance, Prescription drug coverage, Wellness program, Paid holidays, Paid sick leave, Bereavement leave, Close to public transit, Flex Spending Account (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, Paid time off, Commuter benefits
Culture
Oliver Scholars prepares high-achieving students from underserved New York City communities for success at top independent schools and prestigious colleges.

A diverse workforce and open culture are at the heart of our organization and vital to our success. Oliver Scholars is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without discrimination based on race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, citizenship status, or current employment status.
Responsibilities
Placement & Advocacy

• Develop and maintain relationships with our partner schools.
• Advocate for Oliver applicants with Consortium Schools admissions staff under the guidance of the Director of Placement.
• Communicate regularly with school partners and scholar families to give updates, request documents, and answer questions.
• Lead presentations for parents and students on all parts of the placement process, including interviewing, financial aid, and test preparation.
• Conduct one-on-one counseling sessions for families about school options, choice, and fit.
• Coordinate and administer the standardized tests required for admission.
• Resolve family application issues and help organize and keep track of all student applications.
• Review and revise applications appropriately and maintain the integrity of documents.
• Counsel parents of unplaced students on other available educational opportunities.
• Write evaluations and summaries for scholars.
• Collaborate with the Director of Placement to develop, implement, and inspire a vision and strategy for growing the high school and middle school placement program; identify and codify innovative strategies to ensure all students gain entry to the best-fit, selective high schools.
• Assist with creating and managing a process for administering financial support for family school visits to a growing student body.
• Assist the Director of Placement with the development and execution of all placement-related programming, including but not limited to parent and student workshops on interviewing, financial aid, and test preparation during Fall, Winter, and Spring classes.
• Maintain general knowledge of Oliver’s program activities and requirements.
• Regularly update the database of school personnel, applicants, and volunteer contacts.
• Participate in review sessions after the summer preparation program to discuss student performance and create a process for counseling students or directing them to support resources.
• Collaborate with the Director of Placement on creating data protocols and database tools for compiling, analyzing, and reporting student data.
• Assist with preparing reports and statistics on student success and needs for various stakeholders, including the Leadership Team and the Board of Trustees.
• Assist with the management of the day-to-day operations of the Placement department and, in conjunction with the Director of Placement, establish departmental priorities in line with overall organizational goals.
• Manage all vendors associated with school placement, including test prep companies.

Consortium School Cultivation and Growth

• Assist the Director of Placement in conducting research and evaluation to assess the appropriateness of new Consortium Schools.
• Assist the Director of Placement with deepening relationships with Consortium Schools through annual school visits and cultivation events. Assist with managing Oliver Scholars’ brand and relationships with Independent School admissions and financial aid officers.
• Assist with managing Oliver Scholars’ brand and relationships with Independent School admissions and financial aid officers.
• Represent Oliver Scholars at meetings and with school partners.

Scholar Support

• Assist in teaching ISAP class during the summer and the Saturday Academy.
• Provide support during Winter and Spring classes.
• Provide support in the planning and execution of the Scholar Immersion Program (SIP), which includes the ISAP (Independent School Application Process) curriculum.

Other Duties

• Collaborate with other program directors as needed on various Scholar-related initiatives.
• Participate in Oliver’s organizational and fundraising efforts as requested (e.g., providing content for grant proposals, funder visits, and Annual Gala).
• Assist with projects and other duties as needed and requested within the organization.

  QUALIFICATIONS

• Commitment to the mission and core values of Oliver Scholars.
• Deep understanding of the broad educational issues facing educational systems and students in under-resourced communities.
• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 2-4 years’ experience working with students and families at another student-focused nonprofit, in K-12 or Higher-Ed.
• Outstanding public speaking and writing skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively.
• Familiarity with independent schools.
• Valid driver’s license and able to travel domestically.
• Bilingual/bi-literate in English and Spanish encouraged.

DESIRED COMPETENCIES

• Superior analytical, critical thinking, problem-solving, and organizational skills with meticulous attention to detail and accuracy.
• Collaborative approach to problem solving and ability to work effectively with individuals at all levels (internally and externally).
• Demonstrated flexibility and ability to work under pressure; ability and desire to work in a fast-paced, changing environment and conform to shifting priorities, demands, and timelines.
• Demonstrated willingness to learn new techniques, procedures, processes, and computer programs as needed.
• Ability to look at situations from several points of view.
• A demonstrated commitment to high professional, ethical standards. 

 
Requirements
Authorized to work in the US without sponsorship
Minimum 1 years' experience working with students and families in either a non-profit, K-12 or higher-ed setting
Able and willing to work some late evenings and weekends
Able and willing to work a Tuesday - Saturday schedule, at times, during the year
During Summers, able and willing to supervise scholars overnight in a residential setting
Accept a background check to be performed
Willing to travel across 5 NYC boroughs
Minimum Bachelors Degree
Knowledge in: Google Suite
Equal Opportunity Employer
The Oliver Scholars Program, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and is firmly committed to maintaining a work environment free from all forms of discrimination and harassment. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Oliver Scholars encourages applications from people of all backgrounds. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture, as we believe this best reflects the communities and students we serve.

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