Coordinator, Programs

Scholar and Family Support

• Build and maintain relationships with Scholars, families, and Mentors to provide support to the Scholar.
• Collect and review Scholar grade reports each semester to track academic progress.
• Send targeted monthly communications to ensure Scholars are engaged and have a positive experience that supports student retention and successful completion of our high school fellowship.
• Be responsive and maintain ongoing communications to support Scholars’ needs and family circumstances.
• Ensure that Scholars who are in need of additional help receive tutoring assistance and/or other school-based and/or organizational resources that could positively impact the Scholars’ academic performances.
• Provide accurate updates to the Vice President, Programs & Evaluation, and Director, Programs on Scholars’ statuses.
• Maintain data records and ongoing communications with Scholars and their parents/guardians in Salesforce according to organizational data best practices.
• Build and sustain relationships with LINK partnership schools through communications with their school counselors, faculty, registrars, and admissions directors to ensure LINK Scholars are receiving the ongoing support necessary to succeed.
• Ability to participate in school visits to partnership schools in collaboration with the VP, Programs & Evaluation and Director, Programs.
• Collaborate with the Director, Programs to create and provide Scholars with resources for college, scholarships, financial aid, and college immersion opportunities for LINK College Counseling Program.

Scholar Recruitment

• Support LINK’s organizational presence across Chicagoland communities through participation in school and/or community fairs, events/meetings, and other recruitment related activities as needed.
• Plan and attend recruitment events and adhere to the recruitment timeline.
• Build and/or maintain partnerships with middle schools and community organizations to support organizational awareness and recruitment efforts.
• Carefully coordinate recruitment and application related communications to prospective students and parents/guardians.
• Aid in the closing process for open applications.
• Respond to email and phone inquiries about the organization and application process.
• Provide support for the student application review process, which might include:
  • Scheduling, interviewing candidates and advising on which candidates might be appropriate for LINK;
  • Supporting applicants through the application process by maintaining communication throughout the entirety of the recruitment process.

Data Management

• Collect and analyze program-related data to inform programmatic strategies and goal progress.
• Collect necessary data to report on scholar engagement, program satisfaction, and academic performance to evaluate Scholar experience and performance in the program.
• Ensure Scholar data is collected and regularly input into Salesforce and other data collection platforms.
• Ensure communications with Scholars, parents, and external contacts, including partner schools are entered into Salesforce.
• Report on Jr. LINK Scholar engagement and academic performance to evaluate Scholar performance in the fellowship.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 1-2 years of relevant work experience in College Access or Success, Social Work, or other related Educational or Social Service areas.
• Must be able to prioritize and independently manage projects from implementation through completion; able to multi-task and meet deadlines in a complex environment.
• Knowledgeable in child development and adolescent mental health preferred.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to interface effectively with scholars, partners, donors, faculty, and Mentors.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively on a team.
• Must have flexibility to work on occasion a slightly later or varied schedule to support programming activities and special events. Requires some evening/weekend work.

Skills and Competencies

• Experience working with Black youth (8th-12th grade) & their families highly desired with a deep understanding of the systemic and structural forces impeding Black students.
• Catholic, Urban Public School, and/or Charter School experience is a plus.
• A high degree of initiative, confidence and energy to achieve and exceed goals.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Interpersonal and Problem-Solving Skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills: Ability to speak in public, engage, and build relationships with diverse stakeholders (Scholars, Parents, Mentors, Volunteers, etc.).
• Strong presentation skills, both in-person & virtual.
• Experience with curricula facilitation is highly desirable.
• Problem Solving and Critical Thinking: Ability to break down tasks into manageable sections to make informed decisions to tackle a larger problem.
• Ability to remain flexible and adapt to changing needs and priorities.
• Ability to perceive and resolve a gap between a present situation and a desired goal.
• Technical Skills.
• Demonstrated experience working with electronic databases.
• Salesforce experience preferred.
• Mass email platforms such as MailChimp is preferred.
• Advanced skills with Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, or similar software with the ability to learn new or updated software.

Mission-Driven Commitment

• A passion for advancing LINK’s mission and impact through strategic partnerships, stakeholder engagement, and programmatic excellence.
• LINK Unlimited Scholars is seeking a commitment of at least two years.

Characteristics

• Exemplifies the LINK Unlimited Scholars’ mission, vision, and values and acts in accordance with all policies and procedures of the organization.
• Cheerful and welcoming demeanor.
• Strong work ethic.
• A self-starter, creative, and forward thinker.
• Must have the utmost integrity and an ability to process, protect and exercise discretion in handling confidential information and materials.
• Exercises good judgment with an ability to manage situations with tact and discretion.

Compensation

• Salary range $48k-$53k; to be determined based on experience and skills.
• Full-time employees are eligible for health, dental, and vision insurance, Retirement, PTO days, 11 Holidays, and a holiday shut down from Christmas Eve through New-Year’s day.
• Must also have flexibility to on occasion work Saturdays (on average 1-2 times/month) and evenings to support programming and other organizational events.