Possibility Specialist

Who we are:
Through an individualized, holistic, and multi-year commitment, College Bound empowers students from disadvantaged backgrounds to complete higher education and enter successful careers. We have grown from an inaugural class of 36 students to over 450 (plus alumni). We believe that one college degree can end the cycle of poverty in a family. We believe in the power of people; in creating relationships defined by deep trust and enduring power. Our culture is one of high expectations and high support with an unwavering focus on degree completion. www.collegeboundstl.org.

Summary of Position:
College Bound’s Possibility Specialist is an integral part of our college completion team, tasked with expanding our student’s sense of future possibilities through ongoing discovery about their interests, values, and strengths while developing within each a comprehensive approach that will ultimately lead them to college and career success. The person in this role will use developmental experiences, science-based assessment tools, small group workshops, and one on one coaching to educate students on college and career options and help them explore their potential strengths and interests. A strong understanding of vocational counseling, higher education, and youth development are necessary to be considered for this position.

Primary Responsibilities:
– Manage a caseload of 25-35 students, meeting with each 1-4 times monthly depending on student need.
– Develop strong relationships with students characterized by trust and openness to feedback
– Orientate students to College Bound program, ensuring they understand the purpose and value of the program and what is expected of them in the process
– Execute College Bound college and career programming, individualized to the needs of the particular students assigned
– Conduct assessment processes that will develop understanding of student’s interests, strengths, values, and future orientation
– Create individualized intervention approaches that will strengthen student’s self-understanding, future motivation, and planning ability
– Connect students to community events that will increase their career knowledge
– Develop processes that will enhance student’s network of support, particularly in the area of careers
– Coordinate College Bound events focused on personal development, networking, and career understanding
– Identify risk factors to future success and work collaboratively with manager, team and
family members towards resolution
– Stay connected with student’s parent or guardian to foster their ability to support student goal achievement
– Help maintain an environment at College Bound that fosters an excitement about future potential and an openness to using collaborative processes to achieve goals
– Advise students on the steps to build a strong career resume, particularly ensuring that their college activities and achievements are compatible with future success
– Consult with team members in identifying students who may need additional support in the area of academics, mental health, or personal wellness
– Internally and externally advocate that each student on the caseload is provided the academic, social, structural, and mental health support needed to successfully matriculate to college, complete a degree, an move into a career
– As needed, follow up and stay in communication with other key supports involved with the students, such as tutors, college advisiors, professors, and mental health providers
– Develop collaborative and comprehensive plans with student and their families focused on personal development, complete with goals, objectives, and plans of action articulating a clear pathway to achievement
– Educate students and families about college and career possibilities
– In a timely and thorough manner, monitor and document progress of students towards expected outcomes, paying particular attention to risk factors, college preparation, career interests, and student’s motivation and confidence about achieving future goals that are meaningful to them
– Maintain a high level of expertise and awareness about developmental opportunities in the community and research related to college success and career development

Organizational Development and Continuous Improvement
– Participate in meetings within their department to promote a culture of feedback and continuous improvement with respect to shared responsibility for student outcomes
– Cultivate and model a strong student outcomes-focused habit of work and help identify areas of growth in our programmatic response
– Identify and/or design potential professional development opportunities and training to foster continued growth in the skill sets and knowledge needed to serve students better
– Prepare case summaries, build CoPilot reports, and regularly reflect on the outcomes and efficacy of our approach

Other Responsibilities
– Support cohort events throughout the year to promote community engagement, cohort cohesion and student affinity with College Bound
– Assist with maintaining and updating cohort website and social media (The website is used to house cohort announcements, seminar material, and student work products)
– Additional duties and special projects as assigned

Skills and Experience:
– Bachelor’s degree in a related field required (education, social work, nonprofit administration, psychology, counseling, etc.)
– A minimum of 1 year of experience working with youth required. Prefer a minimum of two years of experience in a nonprofit setting
– Strong ability to connect with students in a diverse setting
– Passion for engaging in the difficult and complex tasks required to create change on the community and individual level
– Need a strong self-starter who can think creatively and critically about meeting the diverse needs of their caseload
– Adaptable, possesses a high tolerance for ambiguity, and thrives in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment
– Effective and professional communicator who can establish credibility and rapport with partners, students, families, and staff
– Computer proficient; experience using a database to manage student information is a plus

Benefits, Compensation and Working Environment:
– Competitive benefits include a portion of paid employee health insurance, a health reimbursement account, dental, short-term disability, life insurance, 401K matching, paid parental leave for all and free vision insurance
– Play a vital role in an organization that is privileged to work with hundreds of intelligent and deserving young people every day
– Flexible working environment – Fridays are typically remote workdays
– Position requires regular travel, including evenings and weekends
– Mileage reimbursement for work-related travel and ability to modify schedule to accommodate activities conducted outside of business hours
– Salary range for the role is between $47,000 – $53,000, depending on skills and experience

How to apply: Interested candidates may send a cover letter, resume, applicable certifications, three references to: Jobs@collegeboundstl.org with the subject Line: Possibility Specialist Some candidates may be required to do a pre-screening assessment and will be alerted by the hiring manager if this is the case.
College Bound provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation (real or perceived). In addition to federal law requirements, College Bound complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.