ABOUT ALLIANCE COLLEGE-READY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Alliance College-Ready Public Schools is one of the largest and most successful nonprofit public charter school networks in the nation, operating 26 high-performing, public charter middle and high schools that educate nearly 13,000 scholars from Los Angeles' most underserved communities. Alliance schools have been recognized as among the best in the nation by US News & World Report, Newsweek, the U.S. Department of Education, and the California Department of Education. Since opening its first school in 2004, 95% of Alliance scholars have graduated from high school and been accepted to college. We strive to truly change the life trajectories of our scholars and communities. Now is the time to join our collaborative community to make long-lasting change across Los Angeles. Come teach at Alliance, where teachers achieve and scholars succeed.
ROLE SUMMARY
The College and Career Specialist supports Alliance's vision of 75% of students graduating with a degree from a 4-year university. This role develops strategies and executes the strategies to support college awareness and career exploration among all grade levels of the school through direct-to-student programming and through the identification and development of community partnerships. The ideal candidate will have significant knowledge, experience, and expertise in various higher education institutions (admissions, the community college transfer process, financial aid, student support services, etc) and career exploration from 9-12th grade.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
College Awareness and Career Exploration Program Management

• Oversee college awareness and career exploration programming and outcomes among all grade levels
• Design, coordinate, and implement student services at all grade levels including (but not limited to): college campus visits, managing students' completion of the college matriculation process, completion of financial aid applications, and one-on-one guidance to ensure students understand financial aid packages
• Mentor students through the career exploration and job search process by leading 1-on-1 career coaching discussions and tracking students' career exploration activities
• Collaborate with the Parent Engagement Specialist to provide college awareness and career exploration services to parents
• Work with the Alliance Home Office College Success Coordinator on Alliance-wide initiatives such as the Alliance Mentorship Program (AMP), College Fair, etc.
• Participate in Alliance-Wide Professional Development related to college readiness and college success, as applicable
• Attend a variety of workshops, meetings, trainings, and conferences to maintain current knowledge of graduation requirements, college entrance and financial aid requirements, career technical education development, and pathway development.
• Update Naviance college admission and matriculation reports in consultation with high school counselors
• Ensure program outcomes are met within budget
• Design and teach career preparation curriculum to high school students

Community Partnership Development

• Develop and execute upon strategy to gain community partnerships to support students through college awareness and career exploration
• Contribute to recruiting discussions and recommending students for internship opportunities with corporate and non-profit partners

Alumni Support

• Plan and lead professional development workshops and events for college students
• Provide direct support to alumni through individual advisement regarding college enrollment, accessing resources, and career readiness and exploration
• Manage an alumni communication platform showcasing outstanding graduates, news, information, and resources
• Manage alumni data by updating contact information, college enrollment status, work status, etc utilizing an Alliance-wide alumni tracking tool
• Create a bi-annual report to all stakeholders, including school leadership, parents, and community partners highlighting work accomplishments, and future goals
• Collaborate with site support staff including but not limited to Counselors, Psychologist, Parent Liaison and School Administrators

THE STRONGEST CANDIDATES WILL HAVE

• Believe. Hold the belief that all scholars, regardless of their economic or social demographics, deserve a quality education and can earn a four-year college degree.
• Social Justice . Desire to be a part of Alliance's social justice mission, integrating anti-racist, student-centered instruction, and working in systemically underserved communities in Los Angeles.
• Culture. Demonstrate an ability to develop a positive, achievement-oriented, supportive, and collaborative culture of high expectations that motivates and inspires scholars to learn at college-preparatory levels.
• Expertise. Have strong academic content expertise, instructional and classroom culture skills, and in-depth knowledge of effective evaluation and assessment techniques to drive scholarly learning. Thrive in an environment of high expectations and collaboration.
• Mindset. Hold a growth mindset and commit to continuously honing their craft.
• Relationship-Building. Have strong interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills with both children and adults.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree required
• At least 4 years of experience working within the college awareness, career exploration, and community partnership arena is required.

Skills

• Track record of success in supporting first-generation college students and/or higher education
• Proven ability to understand community needs and goals, and set a strategic vision to meet those goals with a limited budget.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills - able to set priorities and manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Ability to work with others to execute strategic vision
• Excellent interpersonal skills, capable of interacting with professionals in a variety of roles, school administrators, students, parents, community members, and other stakeholders
• Ability to track and analyze data to identify trends, evaluate the effectiveness of programs, and adjust programs in real time based on incoming data

Fit with Alliance Organizational Culture

• Ability to learn quickly and effectively function in a fast-paced and dynamic environment o Willingness to go above and beyond to contribute to the success of a dynamic team o Flexible, optimistic approach, and comfort with change and ambiguity
• Commitment to the success of all Alliance students and specifically to raising the academic achievement of children in high-poverty communities

BENEFITS

• We strive to be the best employer possible by offering excellent benefits for our employees and their families. Please click HERE for more information about our health benefits, retirement options, as well as our paid holidays and leave.
• Professional Development: At Alliance, we believe in supporting staff growth and provide substantial school-based and network-wide professional development support to staff.
• Recognition: Provide special recognition to staff who demonstrate their dedication inside and beyond the school.

COMPENSATION
$66,560.00 - $71,000.00
APPLICATION PROCESS
Interested candidates should submit an application. Please note that only candidates who are selected for an interview will be contacted.
** PLEASE NOTE: Alliance College-Ready Public Schools requires that all team members be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 for the safety of our students, family, and staff. Team members may apply to seek a medical exemption. Regardless of your current vaccination status, our team can advise you on how to fulfill this important requirement so that you can start the position in a timely way. **
Research shows that while men apply to jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the requirements, women and other underrepresented people tend to only apply when they match every criterion. If you think you meet some of the qualifications, but don't necessarily check every box in the job description, we encourage you to still apply. If you have questions contact the Staffing Team at JoinUs@laalliance.org .
Alliance College-Ready Public Schools are tuition-free public charter schools that do not discriminate against any scholar, parent, community member, or staff member based on actual or perceived ancestry, age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.