College Transition Advisor

Counseling services can transform college and career dreams into a reality. Evidence has shown that the lack of access to information and guidance on college admissions and financial aid is a prohibitive barrier for many low‑income families. In the absence of good information, many families develop misconceptions about what it takes to get into and graduate from college or vocational schools. By employing a diverse range of outreach efforts – from individualized, one‑on‑one meetings to large‑group workshops and seminars – the KIPP Forward program closes the information divide for KIPP Texas students and families, breaking down the barriers to career success. The goal of the College Transition Advisor is to help students transition successfully from high school to college or their postsecondary pathway of highest rigor and to ensure that all of our students are provided with the necessary information, guidance and coaching needed to reach their post‑secondary goals. Responsibilities Oversee the successful transition of high school seniors into college, training, and careers. Develop positive, appropriate, meaningful relationships with students, parents, college and financial aid advisors, and fellow staff members and teachers. Support building a college‑going culture with students during the fall of senior year through small‑group pull‑outs and Passion, Purpose and Planning advising. Engage in one‑on‑one conversations with current KIPP high school seniors about their postsecondary plans and assist each student with enrollment, orientation, financial aid verification (review and accept awards, loan counseling, SAP eligibility, graduation requirements, etc.), and ensure student registration. Plan and execute college exposure visits for juniors and seniors. Plan and execute parent and family education nights in the fall and spring. Develop and deliver college and career transition lessons to high school seniors during senior seminar class. Collect and track matriculation steps and critical forms (financial aid award letters, final high school transcripts, FERPA forms, DD4, etc.). Support a caseload of alumni during the first semester of college: engage in consistent outreach to confirm and verify fall enrollment, visit alumni campus weekly in the fall, and provide advising and coaching to help alumni navigate challenges often faced by underserved communities when enrolling in college and training programs. Update and maintain the alumni database; track and maintain records of student contact information changes, coaching calls, pulse‑checks, matriculation steps, and verification of enrollments of alumni in college using the Alumni Database (Salesforce); assist with data collection for annual report and program evaluation. Performance Goals Goal 1: 52% four‑year college enrollment for the class of 2025 Milestone 1: 100% of seniors who indicated they were uncertain of the pathway on matriculation survey will have received advising and guidance and have identified a postsecondary pathway by high school graduation. Milestone 2: 90% of Class of 2025 intending to matriculate to 4/2/CTE will have all matriculation/enrollment items completed by 6/30. Goal 2: 100% outreach to Class of 2024 with intent to matric will be confirmed in ADB by 9/30. Goal 3: 100% of Class of 2024 alumni verified as enrolled in the Fall 2024 will have an enrollment update by 2/15. Goal 4: Support facilitation of 1–2 family education events between the Fall and Spring semesters. Goal 5: Host two college exposure visits for Classes of 2025 and 2026 by May 31st. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four‑year institution. Professional development course provided by the KIPP Foundation and other college and career readiness partners. Prior experience working with college students and helping them achieve academic success, primarily first‑generation, minority, and low‑income students. Strong active listening and coaching skills. Demonstrates knowledge of and respect for the cultures of the community served. Demonstrates a growth mindset with the ability to inquire and be open to feedback. Outstanding project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously and meet agreed upon deadlines in a fast‑paced environment. Proven ability to collaborate and build relationships with stakeholders across functional and organizational lines. Required Licensure / Certification / Specialized Training Proficiency using computers, printers, copy machines, fax machines, scanners, and telephones. Strong command in using the internet and social media websites. Physical Requirements Remain in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods. Operate computer and other office productivity machinery, including cell phone, copy machine, and printer. Move about to accomplish tasks or move from one worksite to another. Communicate with others to exchange information. Be able to lift and carry or otherwise move up to 20 pounds occasionally. Work Environment August through September 30th: College campuses, SSP offices, high school as requested. October through June 30th: High school 3 days per week, SSP office 1 day per week, college campus 1 day per week (fall only). Travel Requirements Able to travel to KIPP campuses, local college/university campuses and other career/training campuses as needed. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Articulate professional demeanor with strong self‑confidence and initiative. Good interpersonal skills; ability to work with a wide range of people including teachers, parents, students, alumni, corporate partners, vendors and admissions personnel. Proficient knowledge of college admissions and persistence. Proficient knowledge of the financial aid processes. Proficiency in using online databases to track student data. Proven written and verbal communication skills. Strong organizational and planning skills. Comfortable using data dashboards. Demonstrates a high proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Drive, and has previous experience utilizing a database, i.e., Salesforce. Benefits Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans with coverage options for employees and their families. Competitive vacation and flexible paid time off (PTO) policies. Paid family leave. Flexible spending account or high‑yield HSA. Employee assistance programs. KIPP also offers the following employee‑paid benefits: legal plans, LifeLock identity protection, life insurance, and disability insurance. KIPP Texas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. KIPP Texas ensures equal employment opportunities regardless of race, creed, gender, color, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, or disability. Any individual needing assistance in making an application for any opening should contact the Talent Team. Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job duties. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment. #J-18808-Ljbffr KIPP Philadelphia Public Schools