Company Description

About KIPP:

KIPP NYC Public Schools is a non-profit network of free, public charter schools that prepares students for success in college and life. In 1995 we started our first middle school, KIPP Academy, in The Bronx. Our goal was to graduate students with the strength of character and academic abilities needed to succeed in high school, college and beyond – and in so doing, to prove what is possible for all students. Today, our New York City network is comprised of eight elementary schools, nine middle schools, one high school, and KIPP Forward, a comprehensive support program for our alumni. KIPP NYC Public Schools currently serves more than 9,350 students and alumni, has a staff of more than 1,000, and continues to grow!

About KIPP Forward Postsecondary Success Collaborative:

KIPP Forward works with graduates of KIPP, Achievement First, and a growing number of other select high school-serving organizations, to empower them for success in college and their careers. We will leverage our collective knowledge, experience, scale, and networks to develop breakthrough college and career strategies that dramatically improve post-secondary outcomes for our students and communities. Together we aim to achieve the following goals:

• Help more students from low-income families persist in and graduate from college
• Help those who don’t earn a BA secure a credential in an in-demand industry
• Help all – those with a BA or a credential – transition to a strong first job and improve pathways to economic mobility.

Job Description

Anticipated Start Date: July 17, 2023

Location: This field position is based in Philadelphia, Camden or Newark, and requires frequent travel. 70% of time will be spent meeting with advisees in the field and visiting CTE/Workforce Training Program sites in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, 20% working remotely on administrative tasks, and 10% working out of our NYC central office.

Position Overview:

KIPP Forward is looking for a dynamic individual to advise the alumni of KIPP NJ, KIPP Philadelphia and other partner organizations that have identified an interest in joining the workforce directly after high school. The Workforce Advisor supports these alumni as they transition from high school and through their first two years beyond it to apply, enroll and complete a career program aligned with their interests and aptitudes. The Advisor will also support their job search process to secure a strong job in an upwardly mobile career, putting them on a path to financial freedom and fulfilling lives. The Workforce Advisor will report to the KIPP Forward Workforce Manager and joins a team that includes 2 other Workforce Advisors.

Given our commitment to advise high school graduates on two year cycles, this role requires a minimum two-year commitment (through June 2025). At the end of this period, the Advisor may be invited to renew for another 2 years with a new caseload. Given college and career success work involves meeting with our alumni at their respective program locations, this position is a field position requiring frequent travel between Philadelphia and NJ, as well as some travel to NYC where the KIPP Forward team is based. All work-related transportation costs will be paid for by KIPP Forward.

Utilizing Inside Track training and consistent observation and feedback from our Workforce Manager, the Advisor will provide transformational coaching, mentorship and direct support to alumni through in person 1:1 advisement sessions and regular touchpoints in between. In so doing, they will assess advisees’ professional interests, skill sets, academic and career-related habits and planning, socio-emotional and financial health to determine fit, readiness and support needs through this critical 2-year period. Through these consistent touchpoints and assessments, the Advisor will perform transformational coaching interventions to ensure our alumni make positive progress.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support and maintain an advisory caseload of 100 - 150 alumni based in NJ and Philadelphia who are opting for a career pathway as they transition from high school and through their first two years beyond it by:

• Regularly checking in with advisees to provide counseling on career plans and personal goals, assessing and tracking assets and barriers that may impact training completion and job retention, and exploring ways to overcome setbacks and meet their goals for advancement
• Introducing Career and Technical Education (CTE) opportunities to caseload, recommending programs and supporting application process if not yet completed
• Making regular site visits to NJ and PA CBOs and college campuses where advisees are enrolled, assessing needs and impact of CTE programming and checking in with advisees in person on their performance
• Utilizing approved social media and texting platforms to promote our programming and deliver critical information to alumni

• Plan and participate in weekly one-on-one meetings with Workforce Manager; Regularly and openly communicate with Workforce Manager to seek guidance and support to navigate complex challenges alumni may be facing
• Track and maintain caseload data in Salesforce, including detailed notes of every student communication, in person visits, updated contact information, program participation and completion data, and maintain important documents on our internal file system
• Present data and insights to KIPP Forward leaders when requested on the progress of alumni

• Engage actively in professional development opportunities provided, including conferences, workshops, team meetings, observations and debrief cycles, webinars, department meetings and team step-backs. New Staff Training will be held full-time from July 17 – August 11, 2023 (week 1 in NYC, and may be extended into the following week). Ongoing professional development may require travel to NYC.

• Submit weekly credit card expense report and utilize alumni meeting funds strategically and responsibly
• Support facilitation of regional and national Professional Development in CTE/Workforce Advisement
• Support Workforce Manager and Senior Director of Career Services as needed to continue to improve our programs and services offered in NJ and PA
• Identify and partner with Workforce Manager on new CTE providers and workforce programs in NJ and PA

Qualifications

• Strong alignment with and commitment to KIPP Forward’s program model and ultimate goals
• Completion of a workforce program, AA or BA degree
• Two or more years of experience working with underserved and at-risk young adults and their families
• Experience advising young adults with CTE/Workforce pursuits and/or demonstrated ability to influence and motivate young adults to engage in activities to build their futures preferred
• Friendly and approachable to quickly engage your advisees; skill and willingness to assess and support individual advisee needs required for them to meet their career goals
• High energy, positivity and enthusiasm to encourage and inspire your advisees to persevere and take positive action steps as they face challenges
• Ability to travel regularly to meet with alumni and visit workforce programs throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania regions, and to travel to NYC for team meetings, etc. as needed
• Demonstrated skill managing stressful or complex situations with calm, composure and resourcefulness
• Ability to self-manage to address challenges and meet ambitious goals and strict deadlines
• Flexibility and willingness to contribute when necessary on projects outside of own caseload
• Demonstrated ability to work well with others and build relationships within and across teams
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong organizational skills and high attention to detail
• Strong achievement orientation with exceptional time management skills and demonstrated ability to handle multiple priorities
• Holding a valid driver’s license is strongly preferred

Additional Information

Compensation & Benefits:

For the Workforce Advisor position, KIPP NYC offers a competitive salary ranging from $60,770 - $69,010. Salary ranges at KIPP NYC are standardized based on role level and role function. Individual salaries are determined through a lens of equity, accounting for years of experience relevant to the role and scope of responsibilities, and are benchmarked against others within the same salary band.

KIPP NYC offers a generous benefits package including medical, dental and vision coverages. Other benefits include retirement plan, flexible spending accounts, life insurance and supplemental benefits offerings.

This description is intended to describe the type of work being performed by a person assigned to this position. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities required by the employee.

KIPP NYC LLC is an anti-racist organization that believes in the importance of being diverse, equitable, and inclusive. We are committed to creating a welcoming environment that includes employees with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We believe that enables us to better meet our mission and values while serving students and families throughout New York City. BIPOC, women, gender expansive, LGBTQIA+, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

KIPP NYC LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. KIPP NYC LLC is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment.