High School College & Career Match Counselor

At KIPP NJ, our mission is to prepare our students to change the world.  We believe that, for most of our students, a Bachelor’s degree is the stepping stone for students to pursue professional and personal success. We also believe that this is not the only path to professional and personal success, and are committed to supporting 100% of our students, including those who choose a non-college post-secondary pathway. We believe in career exploration and exposure throughout high school so all students leave with a strong sense of their passion, purpose, and plan for a strong start in college or a progressive professional pathway of their choosing. We know that truly preparing students for college and career requires an intense focus on student GPAs and ACT results, experiential learning opportunities such as summer programs and dual enrollment courses, excellent college & career counseling, and strong relationships with and programming for students and their families.  

The College & Career Match Counselor’s job is to support a college and career-ready trajectory for our students. We expect our Match Counselor to build strong and trusting relationships with students, and use effective advising skills to support students in taking all necessary steps to graduate from high school and ultimately matriculate to a post-secondary program of highest aspiration.

Metrics of Success

• College & Career matriculation and enrollment: students matriculate to and enroll in quality post-secondary programs, aligned with their long-term career goals
• Avoiding Undermatch: students matriculating to college matriculate to schools with high graduation rates, maximizing their likelihood of college completion
• Strong relationships: counselor has strong relationships with students
• Avoiding College & Career melt: students who matriculate to quality post-secondary receive the support necessary to avoid barriers to enrollment
• Early Applications: students with strong academic profiles apply early to selective colleges with quality applications, maximizing their likelihood of admission
• Financial Aid: students complete financial aid applications and steps necessary for matriculation to quality post-secondary programs

Here's what you'll be doing:

Match

• Conduct ongoing 1:1 check-ins (at least 2-3 per quarter) with caseload of 12th grade students (~80 students) to support them through the application process and to help them maintain momentum for a strong finish to their senior year
• Guide each student through the process of applying to “right fit” colleges and/or career programs using students’ balanced wishlists from 11th grade
• Maintain consistent engagement and partnership with families of 12th grade student
• Support students and families in filling out financial aid applications, scholarship paperwork, and applications to special programs such as EOF
• Complete quality Letters of Recommendations for students (typically 60-70), and train teachers on writing quality recommendations
• Support students in preparing for and completing key application steps, including interviews and document submission
• Hold College & Career Decision meetings with students and families, sharing key information and guiding students and families in making decisions that are aligned with students’ passion/purpose/plan
• Support each student’s transition to college or their post-secondary pathway through the completion of pre-college & career benchmarks as well as matriculation checklist tasks (such as making their tuition deposit, engaging in loan counseling (if applicable), etc.)
• Support HS juniors in May and June with learning more about the college financial aid process, writing personal statements, and researching colleges and Career Technical Education (CTE) programs to finalize their balanced wishlists
• Provide feedback on students’ writing and applications, leveraging strong editing skills to ensure students ultimately have quality applications

Student and Family Programming

• Support students in learning about career and college options, including participating in fly-in programs, attending open houses and information sessions, and touring campuses
• Support and co-plan school-wide match events (College & Career Fair, College & Career program representative visits, Instant Decision Days, family nights, senior activities, ACT testing days, etc)
• Plan and lead workshops for families on the essential topics related to financial aid, high school, and postsecondary success

Data Management

• Track meeting notes and student data - both qualitative and quantitative - consistently and accurately
• Analyze student academic data to drive action planning and support plans
• Utilize financial aid tracker to track all financial aid packages and provide families with a clear comparison of options from a financial perspective
• Constantly assess student progress and consistently communicate results to the Associate Director, families, and teammates

School Support

• Push into 11th and 12th grade College & Career Readiness classes as needed 
• Attend grade-level meetings and support 12th grade team and school functions as needed

Skills:

• Proficient in Microsoft Office, specifically Excel
• Experience with database management and reporting (such as Salesforce, Overgrad, etc.)
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Strong organization skills and meticulous attention to detail
• Superb customer service skills and love and support for families and children
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills 
• Adept at data analysis and strong content knowledge; ability to extract meaningful insights and actions from data

Abilities:

• Commitment to do whatever it takes to ensure our teachers and students have what they need to be successful
• Ability to build strong relationships with students and families
• Ability to proactively problem solve; anticipate challenges before they occur
• Ability to develop and manage multiple projects simultaneously and comfortably with ambiguity
• Ability to troubleshoot and manage high-stress situations with a calm and positive demeanor
• Ability to work evenings and weekends
• Student Focus: Belief that all students, regardless of background, have the ability to go to and through college; demonstrated commitment to the school’s unique community
• Cultural Competence: Demonstrated ability to create inclusive environments that honors and supports a diversity of backgrounds and perspectives 

KIPP New Jersey offers a market-competitive salary ranging from $60,000 - $83,054. Salary ranges at KIPP are set based upon the role level and function using benchmarks in the education and non-profit sector and allow for growth within the role. Individual compensation within this range will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to relevant professional experience and qualifications; education, skills and training; and market conditions.

In addition to a competitive salary, KIPP NJ  offers a generous benefits package including, but not limited to, the following:  

• Robust benefits that include medical, dental, and vision 
• Participation in the New Jersey Teachers Pension and Annuity Fund, provided appropriate teacher certification and role classification
• Optional participation in the KIPP NJ 403b retirement plan, including matching contributions
• A school-issued laptop
• Transportation benefits for TEAMmates commuting into Newark from the New York City area
• Generous Time-Off including 3.5-4 school vacation weeks (depending on the year), allocated sick and personal days, and an extended summer break 
• Up to 12 weeks 100% parental leave for primary caregivers
• Employer paid life insurance
• Extensive optional ancillary benefits including, short term and long term disability and accident and hospital indemnity

Our organization is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender, age, religion, national origin, citizen status, marital status, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Our organization will make a reasonable accommodation to known physical or mental limitations of a qualified applicant or employee with a disability unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of the organization. No questions on this application are asked for any unlawful purpose