Academic Specialist

About Us

Through an individualized, holistic, and multi-year investment, College Bound empowers students in St. Louis facing systemic barriers to achieve transformative lives of higher education and economic possibility. 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.

About the Role

This position is responsible for maintaining and improving the academic performance and college readiness of our high school 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, 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.

Our programming primarily serves students in the afterschool hours – staff should expect to have several days of late afternoon and early evening responsibilities each week.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Facilitate academic enrichment/college readiness classes.
• With support of supervisor, evaluate the effectiveness of curriculum to better meet the needs of students.
• Develop supplemental learning materials for program participants.
• 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 practices.
• 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.
• Collaborate with management team and other departments on longitudinal planning and alignment of student support services.
• 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.
• Additional duties and special projects as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in education-related field 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

• 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.
• Mileage reimbursement for work-related travel.
• Ability to modify schedule to accommodate activities conducted outside of business hours.

Pay

Salary range for the role is between $49,000 – $55,000, depending on skills and experience.

Schedule

Position requires regular travel, including evenings and weekends.