Academic 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 Academic Specialist is responsible for maintaining and improving the academic performance and college readiness of our served students, utilizing a positive and uplifting approach. A significant portion of their role will be assessing student needs and implementing creative approaches to ensure all students are academically prepared for the rigors of college. Content will be delivered in one on one, small group settings, and class settings. The ideal candidate is comfortable assessing needs holistically and developing comprehensive strategies, believes that innovative teaching methods can unlock potential in all students, and understands the relational and cultural aspects of delivering effective services to a diverse student population.

Primary Responsibilities

Academic Interventions

• Assess student’s academic readiness for college.
• Assess whether student’s approach and mindset towards learning aligns with college  success.
• Produce reports on student performance and provide prompt, individualized feedback to  students and their guardians.
• Collaborate with specialists and grade level manager to identify students in need of  targeted academic interventions including, but not limited to, tutoring, study skills, and  learning strategies .
• Identify, refer, and connect students and families to appropriate community resources.
• Develop relationships with community agencies to foster an effective coordination of  services for students.
• Serve as the liaison between families and schools to ensure student needs are met.
• Meet with students regularly to monitor progress in academic and program related goals.
• Work one on one with a caseload of students, providing coaching sessions that support  student growth, academic development, and goal achievement.
• Facilitate conversations with students and families around college navigation, career paths,  and personal wellness.
• Deliver innovative and differentiated academic interventions to students to address content  gaps and develop skills needed for college success.
• Support College Bound summer programming focused on academic enrichment, youth  development, and community building.
• Complete assigned documentation in an accurate and timely manner and in compliance  with established organizational protocol and productivity standards.

Class Facilitation

• Facilitate weekly academic classes.
• With support of supervisor, evaluate the effectiveness of academic curriculum to better  meet the needs of students.
• Develop supplemental learning materials for program participants.
• Serve as a content specialist to assist in the development and implementation of program  curriculum that aligns to organizational goals.
• Understand and teach evidence based learning strategies that result in increased academic  performance and competency.
• Provide direction to fellow staff members on curriculum implementation based on best  instructional practices.

Staff Support

• Serve as a specialist to organization staff, providing information on academic topics and  community resources.
• Support the training of organization staff in the area of academic intervention.
• Support staff in identifying at-risk students in need of academic interventions.

Other Responsibilities

• Collaborate with management team and other departments on longitudinal planning and  alignment of student support services.
• Ensure fidelity to budget, including prompt and accurate financial tracking and reporting.
• Help plan fun 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 required
• Prior experience in an educational role required (3 year minimum)
• Experience working with youth ages 15-19
• Prefer a Math or Reading Specialist certification
• A record of successfully impacting achievement with high need students  🞂 Ability to use data to monitor outcomes and identify challenges
• Effective communicator, able to use inclusive and empowering language to translate  messages effectively for diverse audiences
• Ability to solve problems effectively through collaboration with colleagues and coaching
• Adaptable, possesses a high tolerance for ambiguity, and thrives in a fast-paced  environment
• Computer proficient; experience using a database to manage student information a plus
• Familiarity with nonprofit work and college access preferred
• Possess a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation

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 using the application for linked below. Some  candidates may be required to do a pre-screening assessment and will be alerted by the hiring  manager if this is the case.

Apply Now

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.