ORGANIZATION SUMMARY

The mission of LA’s Promise is to graduate every student attending a LA’s Promise school college and career ready. Through a robust school turnaround model, LA’s Promise partners with a cadre of South Los Angeles schools committed to ensuring that students growing up in poverty receive an excellent education.

LA’s Promise Neighborhood is an enrollment zone that includes two large high schools (Manual Arts and West Adams Prep) and one middle school (John Muir) operated by LA’s Promise in a first-of-its-kind performance contract with the Los Angeles Unified School District. Within this zone, LA’s Promise transforms chronically failing public schools, opens new schools and remakes schools into community hubs that offer comprehensive support services for students and families. By doing this, LA’s Promise will prepare every child in LA’s Promise Neighborhood to be college and career-ready, healthy and successful in life. To learn more about LA’s Promise visit www.laspromise.org.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of College Access will lead LA’s Promise work to ensure that all students attending an LA’s Promise high school receive the information, resources, and supports that propel them to college and career readiness. To meet this goal, the Director of College Access will develop and manage creative initiatives that engage in-coming 9th graders through 12th grade students in a college-going culture of high academic expectations and ensure students maximize financial aid resources. Specifically, the Director of College Access will work with the Associate Directors of College Access and school college counselors to provide an array of college preparatory programming that raises students’ awareness of college and the entrance requirements; that broadens student exposure to college and careers; and that assist and support students and their families in the college application, tests, and financial aid process.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

Support a college-going culture where the students and school community view college and career readiness, application, acceptance and success as a goal for all students.
Lead the LA’s Promise College & Career Team to set annual targets, engage in strategic planning, pursue professional growth and cultivate new College & Career initiatives on a regular basis.
Support the Associate Directors (ADs) as they build grade level specific programming such as Summer Bridge for incoming 9th graders and 9th grade college field trips; 10th grade A-G awareness and career exposure; 11th grade SAT prep, A-G checks and promotion; and a full array of 12th Grade college programs and supports for 12th grade students to ensure they aware of their full array of post-secondary options and are supported in their pursuit.
Create and build a methodical and model system to ensure that all eligible students and applicants are applying and receiving federal and state aids that they me be entitled or eligible for.
Direct, manage and grow the College Partner Network (college access organizations, college and university partnerships and representatives, and community based organizations) including creating college pipe line programs, creating strategic partnerships and leveraging resources that expose students to unique college-going opportunities at all grade levels.
Direct, manage and grow the system that will track LA’s Promise graduates into and through their 2 and 4 year schools, with outside partners such as NCAN.
Ensure there is alignment of all college access programs and events.
Provide for a variety of programming and supports that reach all students, or are specific to grade level, small groups, and individuals, including one-on-one counseling.
Ensure parent-oriented programs that are culturally and linguistically appropriate, tailoring programs to reach all families and students, for instance Dream Act and AB540 programming and African American parent outreach.
Support and improve the College Ambassador program —a peer college counseling club
In partnership with Data Manager, create and report out on strategic and funder efforts on a regular basis.
Supervise the planning and successful implementation of the annual Go for College fair, Summer Bridge, 826LA Personal Statement Weekend, etc., and lend assistance when needed.
Interact with LA’s Promise development, communications, special events and other efforts as needed.
Other duties as assigned.

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree.
College counseling, counseling, school experience and training desired
Experience in urban schools.
3 years of work experience in educational environments.
Strong project management experience
Management experience preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Strong Knowledge of college funding opportunities and college entrance requirements.
Strong organizational, administrative, verbal and written communication, and presentation skills
Resourceful, able to multitask, prioritize and manage time effectively.
Works well independently and in team-oriented environments.
Ability to supervise individuals, bringing out their greatest talents and supporting individual and team success
Willingness to travel
Commitment to LA’s Promise mission

COMPENSATION

Salary commensurate with qualifications, experience and education. Excellent, full benefits package.

HOW TO APPLY

E-mail your cover letter and resume to careers@laspromise.org.