GEAR UP South Bend! Graduation Pathway Coach (GUSB)

Position Title: GEAR UP South Bend! Graduation Pathway Coach (GUSB)

Salary Range: $45,000 - $55,000 (Grant Funded, required)

Contract Length: July 1 - June 30

Immediate Supervisor(s): Assistant Superintendent of College and Workforce Readiness; Gear Up South Bend Project Director  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Support the operations and activities involved in the development, implementation and evaluation of the GEAR UP South Bend! grant.  The GUSB Graduation Pathways Coach(es) will provide direct career pathways coordination and support at the school building level with identified cohort students, parents, teachers, counselors, administrators, and community partners to promote a variety of engaging learning experiences that lead to greater academic performance, opportunities, and access as outlined in required  GUSB Objectives and Outcomes. Specific support and program development for students identified in the initial GUSB Cohort representing graduation years 2027 and 2028 will be considered a primary focus.

Job Description:

1. Serve collaboratively with the GEAR UP South Bend! project leadership to implement plans that span middle school through post-secondary education to inspire, support, and prepare students for exceptional postsecondary access and opportunities within college and workforce settings.
2. Graduation Pathway Career Coaches will help students explore and identify careers and college options, especially within pathways leading to dual credits and Indiana Promoted Industry Certifications.
3. Actively coordinate with School Counselors across all SBCSC secondary schools to facilitate and augment student academic success and career pathway development, including the development of Post-Secondary Action Plans (College or Career) and Graduation Pathway Portfolios to monitor GUSB achievement and participation .
4. Engage with families and students to share knowledge and information pertaining to options for college and career success, including financial aid and community services.
5. Implement programs with cohort students that promotes college and career readiness (i.e. Summer Camps, Career Fairs, College Financial Aid, etc.).
6. Actively support the recruitment and engagement of students participating in 21st Century Scholars, FAFSA enrollment, and related post-secondary readiness initiatives.
7. Foster community involvement and connect with leaders that help support students (i.e. mentoring programs, clubs, outreach, mental health initiatives, peer support groups, tutoring, etc.).
8. Facilitate GUSB team workforce engagement to move students from the introduction stage to the understanding of industry through job-shadowing, work-based learning experiences and employment during and after high school.
9. Develop relationships with secondary and post-secondary institutions to link parents and students from knowledge/preparation to application and enrollment in progressively applicable career pathways programming.
10. Identify and initiate STEM-related programs, including extension experiences to explore Coding, Computer Science, Engineering, and Health Sciences, as examples
11. Coordinate partnership activities or specialized GUSB programs serving cohort students, educators, and families across three layers of service.
12. Creatively support and actively participate in the Preparing for College and Careers or other similar career development classrooms in collaboration with assigned instructors.  
13. To perform additional duties, where applicable, as assigned by GUSB team leadership.  

Qualifications: Incumbent must have a post-secondary degree in Education, Business, or related field, preferably an undergraduate BA/BS or commiserate workforce experience; strong planning, listening, organizational, supervisory, analytical, problem-solving, computer, accountability, multi-tasking, flexibility, and resourcefulness. Professional oral, written, and personal skills must support high quality representation of the GEAR UP South Bend! program and South Bend Community School Corporation. Incumbents must possess knowledge of the comprehensive organization, operations, policies and objectives of the assigned department or area. Previous community, non-profit and/or business engagement work preferred. Applicants must be available during school hours, non-school hours where applicable and some evenings.

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to speak and hear. The employee is required to have dexterity of hands and fingers. The employee is required to sit or stand for extended periods of time. They may be occasionally required to bend at the waist, kneel or crouch. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this job the incumbent is seated or walking at will and hand must be able to push, pull, lift, and carry up to 25 pounds.

Salary : $45,000 - $55,000