College & Career Readiness Specialist- Indianapolis Metropolitan High School

The general salary range for this position is $51-$60K.

The College and Career Readiness Specialist (CCR Specialist) serves as a member of the school Cabinet leadership team at the Indianapolis Metropolitan High School and is a member of a school community with an educational model that complements the acclaimed barrier removal work Goodwill of Central and Southern Indiana does at The Excel Centers, Nurse-Family Partnership, and other award-winning programs. The CCR Specialist builds relationships, systems, and programs to ensure that each student at The Indianapolis Metropolitan High School graduates with a realistic career plan that is linked to postsecondary employment and education. The Specialist provides direct advising and case management services for students as they near graduation and will be instrumental in the implementation of a comprehensive foundational career-development program, which allows for intentional advisement of students on academic diploma tracks and enrollment in industry-recognized certification courses and/or in dual-credit course attainment. The CCR Specialist's work entails facilitating the student path, from enrollment through graduation, to the successful transition into work and/or college engagement. With our core values of Professional, Unstoppable, Motivated, Accountable, and Supportive, the school priorities include:

• High rigor, high support instruction to close academic gaps and prepare students for post-secondary opportunities.

• Trauma-informed social-emotional learning.

• Student and family empowerment through coordination with a robust student services team of coaches, counselors, and more.

Example Duties and Activities

Cabinet Leader

• Serves on the school Cabinet leadership team supporting schoolwide priorities and performs as the school expert on college and career pathways and readiness:

  • Uses labor market data, higher education and department of education guidelines, student interest data, and partnership availability to make recommendations to the Principal regarding certifications and dual credit offerings, internships/job opportunities, correct placement of students, and college acceptances.

  • Attends and participates in meetings of key stakeholders in education and training, workforce/economic development to develop and strengthen information and resources for the school. Partners with other College and Career Readiness Specialists in the network to share best practices.

  • Guides other staff members in efforts to support post-secondary readiness and planning efforts across the school and to embed this focus in the school culture. Provides training to other staff as needed on issues relating to college and career readiness. Serves as lead planner for field trips related to college and career readiness and serves as a driver as needed.

  • Creates progress monitoring tools and provides assistance to external providers to help meet pass rate goals related to college and career readiness areas. Provides detailed tracking on post-secondary plans and matriculation for all expected graduates, including college acceptances, employment offers, and scholarship awards.

  • Communicates with certification providers, internships providers, and employers to gather feedback on students and alumni and refine programming.

Student Success

• Ensures that every graduate has a post-secondary plan. Assists students at all grade levels in developing this plan through exposure, programming, data tracking, advising, and technical support. Works with the coaching team to align and integrate these activities with coaching efforts.

• Oversees and assists students in the successful completion of a Work Readiness requirement such as Senior Seminar, Jobs for America's Graduates, etc. Plans and teaches Senior Seminar each term to prepare students for graduation and success in postsecondary endeavors.

• Oversees and supports students in all dual credit and certification opportunities. Works with Goodwill staff and school administration to develop partnership agreements for certifications and dual credit providers. Serves as the primary point of contact and coach for all certification and dual credit providers.

• Develops innovative, career-focused marketing and recruitment strategies for promoting career pathway opportunities to students, with a focus on opportunities that provide living wages and are in demand in the Indiana labor market.

• Develops opportunities to expose students to the world of work, including on-the-job opportunities, volunteering, internships or job shadowing, and other experiential learning for career pathways. Researches and promotes internship, apprenticeship, scholarships, and career opportunities to students and alumni. Serves as the primary point of contact between students and TalentSource.

• Heads up schoolwide efforts to help students develop employability skills such as interviewing, networking, creating resumes and cover letters, etc.

• Provides developmentally appropriate college advising through group sessions, office hours, and individual check-ins with the current graduating cohort and advanced junior, including but not limited to college searches, application, and transition process.

• Coordinates college preparation testing for all students (ACT, SAT, and Accuplacer)

• Researches and promote college fairs, campus visits, scholarships, etc. to current students, teachers, and alumni.

• Tracks FAFSA completion and provides assistance to families to improve completion rate.

• Builds relationships and partners with college admissions counselors to create open lines of communication and sharing of information.

• Chaperones field trips and drives mini-bus to take students to community events

Required Competencies

• Degree and Credential Requirements - Bachelor's degree in education, business, human relations, rehabilitation counseling, or related fields.

• Program Management - Is skilled at developing, organizing, monitoring, and evaluating programs, including writing policies and procedures, mapped to broader goals.

• Informed Decision-Making - Identifies and comprehends issues, problems, and opportunities; compares data from different sources to draw conclusions; uses effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions; takes action that is consistent with available facts, constraints, and probable consequences.

• Technical Knowledge - Has working knowledge of G Suite, MS Office, and the Internet, as well as student information systems.

• Communication Skills - Articulates thoughts and expresses ideas effectively using oral, written, visual, and non-verbal communication skills, as well as listening skills to comprehend others' needs. Delivers information in person, in writing, and in a digital world.

• Adaptability - Maintains effectiveness when experiencing shifts in priorities; adjusts effectively while maintaining a positive learning environment.

• Autonomy - Takes initiative without waiting to be directed, does what is asked, and works until the job is completed. Takes ownership of mistakes and learns from them rather than makes excuses.

Preferred Competencies

• Industry Expertise - Works in a secondary or higher education setting, and/or in career counseling and workforce development. Is knowledgeable of the financial aid process, college admissions process, and various scholarships, internships, and certifications.

• Building Collaborative Relationships - Develops, maintains, and strengthens partnerships with others inside or outside the organization who can provide information, assistance, and support. Has an established, professional network of community resources, employers, Indiana State agencies, community colleges, universities, and others.

• Teaching Expertise - Plans and delivers instruction and evaluation of student learning, ideally for high school-age students in a high poverty, racially diverse setting.

• Diversity Awareness - Works with diverse populations including people who have experienced barriers to their education.

• Industry Standards - Displays a working knowledge of the Indiana Academic Standards, Common Core State Standards, and 21st Century Skills and knowledge of disciplinary literacy.

Other Requirements

• Must be accessible and present for school events (including open houses, recruitment events, and fairs).

• Background Screening - All candidates must pass a pre-employment background check. Must have a valid driver's license, up-to-date auto insurance, and a good driving record.

Benefits: Full-time employees may participate in a comprehensive benefits program that includes:

• Continuing education and leadership development as well as tuition reimbursement

• Comprehensive health plan

• Paid time off (PTO) and paid holidays

• Life, dental and vision insurance

• Parenting and sabbatical leaves

• Short- and long-term disability plans

• Nationally recognized preventive health and wellness program

• Section 125 pre-tax health spending account, dependent care spending account, and premiums

• Retirement plan with generous company % match

• Eligible for the Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program

Goodwill Education Initiatives

Goodwill strongly believes it is essential to raise education attainment levels in Indiana. Not only are the lifetime earnings of high school graduates significantly higher than those of dropouts, children of high school graduates are 50% less likely to drop out of high school than the children of dropouts are. Goodwill provides opportunities for adults (The Excel Center) and youth (Indianapolis Metropolitan High School).

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Charter High School

Indianapolis Metropolitan High School is a free public school offering a high school education to students in grades 9-12. Indianapolis Met is a best-fit school for students experiencing circumstance that may present a barrier to education. Our school places an emphasis on ensuring students enroll in college or enter into a career that offers a living wage post-graduation.

Indianapolis Met is designed to serve students who are experiencing circumstances that may become barriers to their education.

Mission and Values: click here

Goodwill of Central and Southern Indiana is an EEO Employer/Vet/Disabled

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