MISSION: Rainier Scholars cultivates the academic potential and leadership skills of hard-working, low-income students of color. By creating access to transformative educational opportunities and providing comprehensive support to scholars and families, we increase college graduation rates and empower new generations of leaders.
ORGANIZATION: Rainier Scholars is a comprehensive academic enrichment program that supports determined students of color over an 11-year journey – from 6th grade to college graduation. We seek to serve those who are most under-represented on college campuses and have the greatest number of barriers to achieving a college education: 85% qualify as low-income, 90% will be the first in their family to earn a college degree. Our four-phase program offers rigorous academics, leadership development and personalized support for scholars, providing access to educational pathways and opportunities previously unimagined.
By embracing our core values of Excellence, Perseverance, Integrity and Courage, our scholars propel themselves beyond what they and others ever deemed possible. As a relatively young organization with a budget size of $3.4 million, a staff team of 28 FTE and over 600 scholars and families whom we currently serve, Rainier Scholars has established a positive brand for our unwavering commitment to education, proven success rate and sustainable impact We grow new generations of diverse college graduates, career professionals and community leaders.
ASSIGNMENT GOAL: The Academic Program Coordinator supports the earliest phase of our program as we make an ambitious change to our organization. We aim to expand our current 11-year model by one year, to start with rising 5th graders instead of rising 6th graders. The goal of this assignment is to help develop infrastructure components that will make the early start possible. In the short term, we hope to have a successful programmatic shift to an earlier start, retaining students at least at the same rate we currently do. In the long-term, we hope to increase academic outcomes and foster a greater sense of belonging among students at the schools they attend.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Conduct an analysis of current information gathering processes.
Determine changes that will need to be made to accommodate an influx of additional applications in our transition year, as well as a new population of students moving forward.
Review existing database and spreadsheet systems that support recruitment, application, and student selection processes.
Lead the transition of paper file systems to electronic systems.
Develop systems to share and use electronic files in the deliberations process to select future participants.
Create documentation and provide training that will allow broad use of the electronic resources developed by other staff members and volunteers.
In conjunction with staff, establish metrics and evaluation tools, in order to track program impacts and student success.
Review key performance indicators and strategic goals related to new recruitment targets and the shift to the earlier start.
Review past data to establish baselines.
Review current systems of gathering data for reporting purposes.
Develop new systems to efficiently collect and disseminate evaluation data related to recruitment efforts, as well as contributions made by volunteers.
Develop targeted recruitment plans to communicate the programmatic changes to the broader community, in order to ensure a solid pool of applicants from the new population of younger students.
In conjunction with staff, work to create a plan to work with district-level staff (Highline, Renton, and Seattle) to obtain data on eligible students.
Assess current relationships with schools and teachers who refer students to Rainier Scholars and identify key stakeholders who can help disseminate information about the earlier start.
Develop communications and marketing resources to ensure we are reaching traditionally underserved communities.
Develop and organize systems for outreach efforts within those communities.
Create systems to manage applications from students, in order to allow them to be processed efficiently and effectively.
Coordinate development of new strategies and systems for supporting the Academic Phase of our programming during the transition year, and plan for sustainability thereafter, in order to ensure a successful program transition.
Analyze programmatic impacts related to both the 2016-2017 transition year and ongoing earlier start thereafter.
Identify critical program areas that need modification and support.
Conduct targeted recruitment for new volunteers and/or engage current volunteers to support new programming efforts.
Orient and train new volunteers involved in support efforts related to the 1-year earlier start initiative.
Collaborate with staff and volunteers to identify, develop, and implement structural changes that support an earlier start model.
The successful candidate will be able to:
Prioritize projects effectively, take initiative, demonstrate resourcefulness, and respond flexibly to changing work demands.
Demonstrate strong organizational, time management skills, and attention to detail.
Show exceptional judgment and integrity, including maintaining confidentiality as appropriate.
Demonstrate a professional presence, strong interpersonal skills, and excellent written and verbal communication skills (including public speaking).
Demonstrate the ability to work effectively in a collaborative environment.
How to apply
To apply for this position please send all information to the following:
Rainier Scholars Attn: VISTA POSITION 2100 24th Ave. S., Suite 360 Seattle, WA 98144
Office: (206) 407-2118 / Fax: (206) 407-2112 / E-mail: apply@rainierscholars.org
Please include 3 references and specify in your cover letter how you learned of this position.
Rainier Scholars is an equal opportunity employer.
Interviews will be conducted November 2015