Post-Secondary Program Coordinator

At Summer Search, we believe in 'No Ceilings' and envision a world in which young people, regardless of circumstances, can chart their own destiny. In the United States, students from underserved communities – disproportionately BIPOC and first-generation – face systemic inequities in school, in the workforce, and in life. Nevertheless, these young people possess unique strengths, resilience, and limitless potential.

Since 1990, Summer Search has partnered with young people during their transition from adolescence into adulthood by connecting them to expansive opportunities, professional mentoring, and a community of support. Summer Searchers recognize their potential and build a toolkit to navigate and challenge systemic barriers, break new ground for their families and communities, and achieve economic equity and a life of purpose.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Post-Secondary Program Coordinator (internally known as a Transition Mentor) is an exciting and dynamic position at Summer Search Philadelphia. This hire will advise program participants for two academic years, starting in the senior year in high school through the end of their first-year post-high-school. The Post-Secondary Program Coordinator will work with students as they plan for, transition into, and progress through their chosen post-secondary pathway whether that be college, a vocational track, a gap year program, or joining the military or workforce.

This Post-Secondary Program Coordinator will provide support for essential programming whose vision is grounded in connection – with Summer Searchers, between our staff, and in partnership with other stakeholders (at high schools, colleges and in the community) – that allow us to be knowledgeable and effective in our work with students as they find their purpose and thrive in their chosen post-secondary pathway.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

Specifically, the Post-Secondary Program Coordinator will:

Build relationships and provide 1:1 support and advising to a caseload of approximately 60-90 students for two academic years starting their senior year of high school.

• Over their senior year of high school, provide high-touch college or alternative post-secondary pathway advising to support each student in developing and implementing plans that are specific to their needs, interests, and strengths. This will include:
  • Engaging monthly 1:1 meetings with participants
• During their first year after high school, provide mentoring and support towards post-secondary completion and career guidance as needed. Specifically, this will include:
  • Advising participants on academics, financial aid and money management, engagement on campus and in the community, and career exploration.
  • Applying the Summer Search depth mentoring model to coaching participants to navigate challenges and focus on problem-solving, particularly around situations commonly faced by first-generation, low-income college students.
  • Engaging regularly with all participants, adapting to meet their needs in challenging situations and/or seeking greater support.
  • Preparing participants to gain familiarity with and access to the range of supports offered by Summer Search.
• Consistently utilize Salesforce to record contact with participants and their progress toward/in a post-secondary pathway. Analyze data in collaboration with the Executive Director/supervisor to adapt approaches and supports as needed.
• Collaborate with other Summer Search program staff to identify and address the best supports to ensure post-secondary success.

Support, deliver and attend other programmatic components as needed.

• Prepare and facilitate college, career and financial well-being workshops and/or group mentoring sessions for participants and their families
• Connect high school and post-secondary participants to events, stakeholders, and resources that will support them in their educational attainment, career readiness and sense of financial well-being
• Participate in trainings related to practical supports, including college access and persistence, career exploration, and financial well-being
• Coordinate other program pieces related to educational attainment, career readiness, SEL and financial well-being such as: scholarship processes, mass communications, college visits, high school and Community Based Organization partnerships, student retreats and other special projects as needed
• Support the ongoing growth and development of post-secondary access and success program at the local and national level
• Attend Signature Events and other events relevant to the role (i.e., Alumni Events)
• Support site Outreach efforts, i.e., conducting student interviews, preparing interview packets, etc.

WHO YOU ARE:

The Post-Secondary Program Coordinator will be a highly motivated team player who thrives in an authentic, feedback-driven culture. Specifically, strong candidates will bring:

• EXPERIENCE: At least 2 years of professional experience in post-secondary/college access, admissions, success, or a related field, ideally working with first-generation high school graduates from low-income and/or communities of color. Solid grasp of college admission processes, alternative post-secondary pathways, financial aid cycles, and college admissions testing-- Philadelphia-specific knowledge is a plus.
• COMMUNICATIONS EFFECTIVENESS: Well-developed communications and interpersonal skills, with an ability to comfortably facilitate group presentations and utilize active listening and reflect others’ viewpoints in relationship building with diverse groups of stakeholders.
• CRITICAL CONSCIOUSNESS: Demonstrated awareness and understanding of systemic and institutionalized racism facing communities of color, and the historical context of privilege and power in America, with sensitivity and humility in engaging youth around these topics.
• SOCIAL EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE: Conscious awareness of one’s own and other’s emotions, feelings, motives and desires. Supports emotional regulation and coping skills and assists others in doing the same.
• ACCOUNTABILITY: Holds self responsible for process, decisions, actions and commitments to results and to drive high-quality outcomes for students/ participants. Is responsive to the needs of stakeholders such as student/ program participants, staff members, community partners, and alumni.
• TECHNOLOGY SKILLS: Proficiency in using databases and Excel for data entry and management; experience using Salesforce or a similar student database is a plus.
• LANGUAGE SKILLS: English, Spanish, and/or Vietnamese proficiency a plus

In addition, all Summer Search staff bring a commitment to our mission of unleashing students’ potential through mentoring and transformative experiences, as well as the ability to thrive in an environment that values excellence, gratitude, well-being, diversity, authenticity, and collaboration.

LOCATION AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Work hours are Mon-Fri 10am-6pm with occasional weekend and evening special events. This position will be hybrid remote/in-person. All staff report to our Center City office on Mondays and two other days of their choosing and select two remote workdays, partially dependent on site needs.

This is a non-exempt position with a starting pay rate of $26.87 and $29.00 per hour (equivalent to $52,402- $56,545 annually). Summer Search is committed to transparent, equitable compensation practices. Salaries are benchmarked using current market data and salary bands are created to demonstrate the growth potential within the band. Typically, offers are made at the starting place of the salary band. The Hiring Manager partners with the Talent Team to ensure offers are appropriate, competitive and maintain internal equity.

Well-being, flexibility, and ongoing learning and development are pillars of our culture. We value our staff and are committed to creating an environment where every individual feels seen, heard and valued. Investments in our staff include:

• Medical insurance with up to 90% employer contribution
• Dental, vision, FSA, life and disability insurance plans
• 401 (K) and Employer Match up to $2,000 annually
• Generous time off including 15 vacation days, 10 sick days, and 18 holidays (2 floating holidays of your choice, a birthday day-off, 10 company-wide holidays, and a 1-week December closure).
• Refresh Fridays – a paid day off the first Friday of every month!
• A comprehensive Employee Recognition Program (years of service awards, spot awards, and professional development funding).
• A four-week paid sabbatical after five years of continuous employment.
• Individual, local, regional and national training
• A commitment to developing leaders from within the organization.
• An organizational culture that supports staff well-being and holistic self-care/community care
• Ample opportunities to connect with the students and communities we serve.

OUR COMMITMENT TO EQUITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION

With a staff that cares deeply about social justice and racial justice, we believe that diverse perspectives and backgrounds create a rich work environment and enhance our ability to pursue our mission. We are committed to building an organization with raised consciousness in order to impact how we work with students, as well as how we work together as a team. We hope you will join us as we continue to build a justice-centered organization that fosters a work environment where people from all backgrounds are welcomed and valued.