Academic and Career Services Coordinator

Job Description

Job Description

The Social Justice Learning Institute is dedicated to improving the education, health, and well-being of youth of color by empowering them to take hold of their educational future using research as a tool for community and social change. SJLI trains students to conduct research on problems in their community using a rigorous yearlong curriculum while providing basic academic support (i.e., tutoring, homework assistance, academic counseling, etc.) and college preparatory education.  SJLI youth learn what it takes to achieve academically in order to go to college and become civically engaged, solution oriented and critical participants in the democratic experience. SJLI envisions an educational system where youth become engaged citizens who discover their best talents and apply them to help improve the world they live within.

The Fellowship Initiative (TFI) is a holistic youth development program developed by JPMorgan Chase that expands economic opportunity and broadens talent pipelines by providing youth and young adults with more than 100 days of mentorship, academic support, career readiness, and skills development experiences with engagement from employee volunteers. Fellows begin the program during the Fall of their sophomore year and remain in the program until they graduate from high school. Programming takes place three Saturdays a month during the Academic Year (September - June), with ongoing engagement and planning during the Summer.

Job Summary

At SJLI, the Academic and Career Services Coordinator provides 40 Fellows within The Fellowship Initiative (TFI) with academic support, intervention, and guidance to ensure Fellows’ success, both academically and personally, while in the TFI program and beyond.

This includes, but is not limited to, case management, developing individual academic plans, academic intervention counseling, and working alongside school administrators, counselors, and teachers, as well as families and community organizations to achieve these goals. These goals culminate in fully preparing students to be eligible to attend a 4 year institution after high school graduation. The goal of the TFI program is that 100% of Fellows are accepted into CSU and UC campuses during the Spring of their senior year.

  Responsibilities:

1-on-1 Student Support, Intervention & Guidance

• Establishes and maintains strong, professional relationships with students
• Works with fellows to create Individual Academic Plans to ensure their academic success in high school and enter into a 4-year college or university
• Facilitates academic intervention meetings with students, counselors, teachers and families
• Monitors and tracks all Fellows’ A-G eligibility and intervenes when needed
• Connects students to on-campus and community based resources
• Works with TFI Academic Support Tutors to connect students who need additional tutoring support outside of the classroom
• Leads monthly grade checks for all students
• Identifies Fellows requiring additional academic support and works with the Regional Program Manager to develop and implement appropriate interventions
• Maintains regular communication with Fellows' families regarding academic progress, college planning, program participation, deadlines, and areas requiring additional support.

Postsecondary Planning

• Supports a caseload of Fellows throughout the college application process, providing individualized advising on college lists, applications, personal statements and supplemental essays, extracurricular activities, deadlines, and enrollment requirements.
• Builds relationships with partners who can assist students in college access and exposure
• Works with the Regional Program Manager to coordinate all logistics of California and HBCU College Tours and a College Application Retreat
• Assists students with navigating financial aid and scholarships, and ensuring all students have completed their FAFSA and/or CADAA applications

Saturday Sessions and Program Events

• Works with the Regional Program Manager to implement all logistics of each Saturday session, including communication to students/families, catering, guest speakers and presenters, 1:1 meetings, grade checks, tutoring support, and college prep workshops and engagement
• Supports with the coordination and implementation of all TFI events including overnight college tours, Saturday session special events, the College Application Retreat, A Different World, TFI orientation, welcome, and graduation, and other immersive experiences for fellows
• Attends every Saturday session and participates in all overnight experiences

Data Management

• Responsible for collecting and inputting student data into SJLI’s data system, Apricot
• Uses TFI tracking systems to monitor grades, semester GPAs, A-G eligibility, college applications, and more
• Creates and maintains site-level and monthly program reports
• Works with the Program Manager to track Saturday session attendance
• Analyzes student and program data to identify trends, inform student interventions, and recommend programmatic improvements.
• Create and distribute student and family surveys

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Exceptional interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills
• Strong knowledge of college admissions and application processes, including CSU, UC, HBCU, and private institutions
• Understanding of how to guide and support students throughout the college application and enrollment process
• Knowledge of youth development practices, particularly approaches that support first-generation and low-income students
• Ability to review and interpret high school transcripts to assess high school graduation, A-G eligibility, and college readiness
• Knowledge of academic intervention and student support strategies at the high school level
• Understanding of social justice and educational equity principles and their application in youth development and education settings
• Ability to build strong relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including students, families, school partners, TFI and SJLI colleagues, and community partners
• Ability to collaborate effectively within a team while also working independently
• Ability to exercise sound judgement and maintain confidentiality
• Ability to demonstrate a commitment to the Social Justice Learning Institute goals, guidelines and principles

  Qualifications:

• 1-3 years experience in counseling, tutoring, academic intervention, youth development, college access, or a related field
• Bachelor’s Degree
• Experience working with young people, particularly first-generation and low-income students; experience working with male-identifying youth preferred
• Valid California Driver’s License and personal vehicle
• Ability to obtain Live Scan clearance
• Availability to work Saturday program sessions, occasional evenings, and participate in occasional overnight experiences with students
• Spanish-language fluency strongly preferred