GEAR UP - Student Development Coach

Job Description

Position Title: GEAR UP Student Development Coach
Position Hours: Full-time; Extended Workdays, Occasional Saturdays and Frequent Travel
Length of Term/Employment: 225 workdays, At-will
Reports to: Principal 

Position Mission: The GEAR UP Student Development Coach's role is to support the overall development of students and provide intensive support to students and families to ensure academic success. The Coach will also assist educators in fostering a supportive environment. They will track cohort students through their first year of college and help manage the overall project, provide relevant services and college readiness initiatives.

Education/Certification:

• Master's degree in Counseling or a related field
• Valid Texas certification as a School Counselor (EC-12), highly desired
• Texas Teaching Certificate, preferred

Experience:

• Work experience in the counseling field
• 3 years experience with social and interpersonal programs and disciplines
• Experience in providing professional development to educators 

Special Knowledge and Skills:

• Ability to use professional written and oral communication and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated attention to detail and organizational skills
• Knowledge of available and appropriate community agencies and resources
• Ability to interact successfully with students, parents, staff, and community
• Plans and implements a balanced comprehensive developmental guidance and counseling program that includes Texas Education Agency's four components: Guidance Curriculum, Responsive Services, Individual Planning, and System Support
• Bilingual Preferred

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Coordinate, facilitate, and implement student development curriculum, parent education opportunities, and skills training
• Provides support in a variety of settings to include the classroom, small group settings, individual sessions, college visits, career counseling, mentoring, job site visits, internships, leadership, community service, and motivational programs
• Help organize, support, and attend evening and weekend events
• Collect proper documentation for student, parent, and educator services to be submitted in the external evaluator database
• Assist the Project Director with the preparation of written reports and updates for the external evaluator
• Implement, monitor and facilitate GEAR UP activities to ensure cohort students and parents are receiving the necessary retention services during Year One of college
• Actively participates in the school's student development program
• Engage in programs and strategies to reduce truancy
• Support family engagement and parent education activities and strategies
• Build a strong, positive school culture and learning environment
• Assist in the assessment and long-term sustainability of the program
• Supports school leadership in providing comprehensive support for students as needed
• Providing counseling on an individual and/or group basis to increase student/school readiness, resolve personal problems related to home, school and family relations, personal adjustment, grief and health-related matters that interfere with their optimal performance as learners
• Collaborate with specialists in providing specific, targeted, skills training to increase student's school readiness
• Provide skill/ strategy training and coaching for team members
• Demonstrate a growth mindset and support team members in increasing knowledge and understanding to better support students
• Review student records as needed and protect confidentiality
• Assist with transition activities to the next grade
• Ensure daily attendance and punctuality at work
• Perform other duties as assigned 

Communication:

• Establish and maintain open communication by conducting conferences with students, parents, teachers, principal, and other school personnel
• Maintain a professional relationship with administrators, students, parents, school and district personnel, and community members
• Use effective communication skills to present information accurately and clearly
• Champion school developmental guidance, counseling program, and counselors' ethical and professional standards
• Consistently be a proponent of a school environment that acknowledges and respects individuals 

Professional Growth and Development: 

• Participate in staff development activities to improve job related skills
• Attend and participate in faculty and department meetings
• Demonstrate professionalism, including a commitment to professional development
• Exhibit core values: integrity, high expectations, commitment, respect, dedication to teamwork, and passion for a student-centered environment
• Maintain expertise in college knowledge and readiness (FAFSA/Financial Aid applications, scholarship opportunities, college application process, etc.) 

Charter & Community Responsibilities:

• Convey the charter's mission to the public and encourage support in accomplishing the mission
• Illustrate understanding of Charter and community needs and begin activities to meet those needs
• Demonstrate use of productive and efficient skills to raise community and parent involvement
• Actively participate in student recruitment efforts

Charter Atmosphere: 

• Encourage a constructive, thoughtful climate for learning
• Promote fairness for students and staff
• Communicate with students and staff in an effective manner that promotes and sustains the Jubilee culture

Equipment Used: 

• Office equipment – personal computer, projector, printer, calculator, multi-line telephone, smartboard
• Communication equipment – Radio communication equipment, cellular telephone
• Video monitoring equipment

Working Conditions:
Mental Demands:

• Maintain emotional control under stress
• Work with frequent interruptions
• Be highly adaptable 

Physical Demands:

• Frequent: Sitting, standing, walking, climbing stairs and/or ramps, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, pulling, pushing, reaching, repetitive hand motions, hearing, speaking clearly, visual acuity, distinguishing colors, driving, traveling
• Occasional: Lifting, moderate, 15-44 pounds; carrying, moderate, 15-44 pounds 

Travel Requirements:

• Site visits and annual in-state and out-of-state conferences

The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.