Future Ready Success Coach

Description

Job Title: Future Ready Success Coach

Position Function: A Future Ready Success Coach (FRSC) is a trained professional who assists individuals in achieving their personal and professional goals, preparing them for a future pathway after graduation. They provide insights, tools, and techniques tailored to each student's unique skills and challenges. FRSCs guide their students toward achieving success in various fields by determining personal goals, developing individualized plans, and implementing strategies. The primary role of the FRSC is to assist students in navigating their post-graduation pathways, whether they choose to pursue higher education, technical training, or enter the workforce. The ideal FRSC will provide individualized support in college applications, essay writing, scholarship searches, and exploring trade skills. They will also assist with interview preparation, financial literacy, and career planning, ensuring students are well-prepared for postsecondary education and future opportunities.

Essential Performance Responsibilities

• Post-Graduation Planning: Guides students in identifying and exploring various post-graduation pathways including colleges, universities, vocational/technical schools, apprenticeships, and direct-to-work opportunities. Assists in setting realistic and achievable goals based on students' interests, strengths, and career aspirations.
• CCC Web Pages: Responsible for making CCC web page updates throughout the year to reflect and support efforts at your school. Annually ensure that the school College Career Center (CCC) contact information, ACT dates, RepVisits, website specific pages dates and content has been updated prior to the start of school.
• FAFSA: Works with FRSCs and financial aid experts to organize and facilitate FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) nights. Provide students and their families with hands-on assistance in completing the FAFSA and understanding the financial aid process. Schedule and promote FAFSA nights to maximize student and family participation.
• Develops and maintains a comprehensive collection of ACT study materials, including practice tests, workbooks, and online resources, stays up to date on the latest ACT content, changes, and best practices in test preparation, and provides students with access to high-quality study resources and tools to enhance their preparation efforts.
• Provides ACT/SAT waivers to students who qualify. Responsible for ordering ACT waivers prior to the school year. The FRSC is also responsible for the verification of a student qualifying for a waiver.
• Utilizes the district approved College and Career exploration program as the primary platform to guide students in exploring career pathways, researching colleges, identifying scholarship opportunities, manage transcript requests, applying to institutions via the Common App, and creating personal resumes, portfolios, and websites.
• Provides comprehensive support for the college application process, including developing application timelines, completing applications, and understanding admissions requirements through the College Planning tool found in the district approved College and Career exploration program.
• Offers personalized assistance with college essay writing, including brainstorming, drafting, and editing.
• Field Trips: Follows district protocol in coordinating with other FRSC's to organize educational field trips to colleges, vocational/technical schools, and industry sites. Plans and supervises field trips to ensure students gain valuable insights and experiences related to their post-graduation plans. Works with transportation services, chaperones, and site coordinators to ensure smooth and safe field trip experiences.
• Scholarship Presentations: Collaborates with FRSCs to arrange scholarship presentations and workshops for students; invites scholarship providers, community organizations, and alumni to present information on available scholarships and application tips; and ensures students receive up-to-date information on scholarship opportunities and deadlines.
• Responsible for the scheduling, communication, and logistics of military, college, and community partner visits
• Scheduling: Coordinates with military recruiters, college admissions representatives, and/or community partners to schedule visits during appropriate times, avoiding conflicts with major school events and academic schedules.
• Communication: Informs students, parents, and school staff about upcoming visits well in advance through various communication channels (e.g., announcements, newsletters, emails).
• Logistics: Arranges for necessary facilities, such as classrooms or auditoriums, and ensure all required equipment (e.g., projectors, microphones) is available and functioning. Some schools participate in TRIO and Upward Bound programs. These programs are responsible for setting up meetings with the students in the program.
• Scholarship and Financial Aid Assistance: Identifies and informs students of scholarship opportunities and financial aid resources, assists students in completing scholarship applications and preparing necessary documentation, conducts workshops and one-on-one sessions on FAFSA and other financial aid processes, and review award letters with students to better understand the out-of-pocket costs to families.
• Trade Skills and Technical Training: Introduces students to various trade skills and vocational training programs that align with their career interests. Facilitates connections with local trade schools, apprenticeship programs, and industry professionals. Organizes informational sessions, workshops, and field trips to technical training centers and trade-related events.
• Individual and Group Coaching: Conducts one-on-one coaching sessions to provide personalized guidance and support for students. Leads group workshops and seminars on topics related to post-graduation planning, college applications, essay writing, and scholarship searches.
• Resource Development and Collaboration: Develops and maintains resources such as guides, templates, and informational materials to support students in their post-graduation planning. Collaborates with teachers, counselors, parents, and community organizations to provide a comprehensive support network for students.
• Monitoring and Reporting: Tracks and monitors students' progress towards their post-graduation goals with the district senior survey. Maintains detailed records of student interactions, plans, and achievements in the district approved College and Career exploration program. Prepares and presents reports on program effectiveness and student outcomes.
• Classroom Visits and Presentations: Presents to all seniors, working within the school's individual culture to communicate the necessary information to our senior student population so that they are informed of the steps towards planning their pathway after graduation.
• Parent Teacher Conferences & Open Houses: Facilitates effective communication between parents and teachers, providing support during the conferences to address any concerns and promote collaborative problem-solving for student success.
• WSU Tech: Responsible for assisting students with the Academy Programs, outside of the FRC enrollment process. Communicates opportunities and important date dates each semester.
• Coordinates with colleges, universities, vocational/technical schools, and industry representatives to participate in the fairs and ensures students have access to information and resources to explore various post-graduation pathways.
• School Events: Assists in organizing and participating in school events such as career days, college signing days, and senior nights; works with FRSCs, teachers, and administrators to plan and execute events that celebrate student achievements and promote post-graduation success, and provides support and resources to students and families during these events to ensure they are well-informed and prepared. Hosts the fall college career fair event at their school. Attends all other school events throughout the week.
  
  

Additional Duties: Assists with additional duties as assigned by supervisor.

Equipment: This position may require the ability to use SMART boards and iPads in addition to basic office equipment such as computers, copiers, scanners, and fax machine. Must always comply with USD 259's guidelines for equipment use.

Travel: Limited travel between schools and central offices may be required.

Physical And Mental Demands

• Work in standard office environments
• Occasional overtime
• Attendance at required meetings, including all scheduled Parent Teacher Conferences and Open House events.
• Additional demands upon request of supervisor
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Ability to communicate both verbally and written in order to communicate with others inside and outside of the organization for the purpose of giving and obtaining information
• Ability to communicate effectively with a Supervisor when their discretion is needed
• Ability to perform as an effective team player
• Ability to plan, organize, make decisions and prioritize work to meet the daily demands of the building
• Exhibit a professional manner and a positive attitude
• Use good judgment to make decisions on recurring assignments
• Display a significant degree of professionalism and confidentiality
• Ability to conform to proper standards of professional dress and appearance
• Knowledge of company's mission, purpose, goals and the role of every employee in achieving each of them
  
  

Qualifications

Interrelations:

• Contact with personnel within the district and with customers and vendors
• Will be working under the direct supervision of the department supervisor in order to complete day to day tasks
• Will be working with a diverse population requiring the ability to handle all situations with tact and diplomacy
• Must understand and respond appropriately to customer needs and maintain a positive attitude with all customers and colleagues
• Expected to interact with all internal and external customers in a friendly, professional manner and provide quick, responsive customer service
• Establishes and maintain strong working relationships with your peer FRSCs, counselors, teachers, and administrators from other high schools.
• Collaborates with FRSCs from other high schools to develop and implement new programs and initiatives that enhance student support services, and to plan, organize, and host annual college and career fairs.
• Shares best practices, resources, and strategies for supporting students in their post-graduation planning.
• Participates in regional and national networks of FRSCs to stay informed about new initiatives, trends, and opportunities in college and career readiness.
• Shares resources such as newsletters, Canva designs, Google documents, and similar materials on the FRSC web page to ensure consistency across high schools and helps maintain uniform communication between high schools.
  
  

Employee Punctuality And Appearance

• In order for schools to operate effectively, employees are expected to perform all assigned duties and work all scheduled hours during each designated workday, unless the employee has received approved leave
• Any deviation from assigned hours must have prior approval from the employee's supervisor or building administrator
• All employees are required to report to work dressed in a manner that reflects a positive image of USD 259 and is appropriate for their position
  
  

Qualification Profile

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Previous experience in college admissions, advising, or counseling, career coaching, or a related role.
• Strong knowledge of college admissions processes, scholarship applications, and vocational training opportunities.
• Passion for supporting students and helping them achieve their goals.
• Familiarity with local and national scholarship programs.
• Experience working with high school students from diverse backgrounds.
  
  

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt