What are the responsibilities and job description for the College & Career Coach position at Chicago Public Schools?
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 320,000 students in 500 schools and employing over 44,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. In order to fulfill this mission, we make three commitments to our students, their families, and all Chicagoans : academic progress, financial stability, and integrity. Six core values are embedded within these commitments – student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning.
Located within the Office of College & Career Success (OCCS), the Office of School Counseling and Postsecondary Advising (OSCPA) ensures that school counseling teams have the support and resources necessary to implement comprehensive school counseling programs that advance the academic, personal / social, and career development of all students. OSCPA is comprised of the following teams : school counseling, college and career specialists, scholarships, and post-secondary initiatives. All provide professional development and support to school counselors, college and career coaches, and school administrators at the school level.
Job Summary :
The College & Career Coach is responsible for driving college and career preparation strategy and activities within a designated high school, as well as monitoring and managing OSCPA key performance metrics. The Coach is responsible for implementing strategies that prepare Chicago Public School students for postsecondary opportunities. Chief among the responsibilities is to provide direct service to every high school student using a set of curricular and enrichment strategies delivered through the domains of awareness, readiness, access and success to promote long-term preparation for postsecondary transition. This is a full-time exempt position that will be paid for time worked on a salary basis.
In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the College & Career Coach must possess the following qualifications :
- Spearhead and support College and Career exploration and awareness activities
oEducate students on a comprehensive set of college and career options (college & career, in & out of state, 2-year & 4-year, corporate and entrepreneurial) through college & career exploration activities.
oFacilitate meetings between college representatives and students
oServe as school-level point person for district-wide exploration and awareness activities.
oEstablish and oversee school-based college and career resource centers – includes scheduling, publicizing open hours (office hours), events
oCoordinate Work-Based Learning (WBL) activities with counselors, teachers, students, Partnership Development Team, Central Office
Identify work-ready students and facilitate work-based learning experiences (site visits, job shadows, internships, guest speakers) during the school year and summer months
Coordinate job shadow, career speaker and career service events that promote college and career preparation
oSupport supplementary soft skill workshops
Coordinate workshops that focus on writing, time management, technology and study skills
o% of students participating in soft-skills training
oIdentify and connect students to enrichment activities (e.g., Summer Quest, TREO)
oMeeting with students individually and in groups to discuss individual college and career choices and college and career access activities.
oDrive financial aid access activities school-wide.
Conduct monthly workshops that informs and prepares students in 9-12 for financing their college education including the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
oDrive scholarship activities school-wide.
Prepare and process scholarship materials; establish, organize and meet with scholarship committees, make scholarship applications available, guide through the process
Maintain information on institutions that offer scholarships
Track scholarships received
Associated monthly metrics :
oWorking with counseling team to track applications and maintain records on seniors, including GPA's and transcripts
oKeep parents, students and staff informed through regular communication (i.e. newsletter for parents, letters / emails / phone calls about test dates, application deadlines, college events, and financial aid)
oConduct and / or coordinate college and career informational presentations to parents
oEducate students and parents about career exploration and choice as well as colleges, the college admissions process, trends, procedures
Education Required :
Experience Required :
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :
Conditions of Employment
As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to :
