KKCF Student Success Specialist

Start Date: Immediate

Employment Type: This is a full-time position 

Location: Los Angeles or Atlanta 

Reports to: Program Manager, Karim Kharbouch Coding Fellowship

TKH General Overview 

The Knowledge House’s mission is to empower and sustain a talent pipeline of technologists, entrepreneurs, and digital leaders, who will uplift their communities out of poverty. The Knowledge House (TKH) approach is to (1) close gaps in the education­-to-­employment pipeline in underserved communities to launch careers or ventures in technology, and (2) support links between local youth, tech innovation, and business development that bring positive community impact.

Karim Kharbouch Coding Fellowship (KKCF) is a 12-month tech exposure program for high school students in their Sophomore, Junior, and Senior years of high school. It starts with a stipended summer program featuring hands-on code and design instruction, followed by monthly small-group meetings to advance college and career goals in a structured manner. These meetings are led by a College & Career Success Specialist. 

Headquartered in the South Bronx, the poorest congressional district, and reaching all of New York City, TKH has served more than 1,750 students of all ages. TKH has recently expanded the KKCF program to service other underestimated communities in Atlanta, GA, Newark, NJ, and Los Angeles, CA and the DMV area. 

Benefits of working at The Knowledge House: 

• Apply your skills while giving back to NY/LA/ATL/NWK/DMV youth, low-income, and other underrepresented communities 
• Become further exposed to the tech ecosystem
• Lead innovation in the emerging tech movement in underestimated communities
• Join a startup where every team member is expected to contribute to strategy, create solutions and improve org culture 
• Competitive benefits and paid time off package 

Job Summary: 

The Student Success Specialist is responsible for the persistence and success of each student at TKH. The Student Success Specialist is responsible for supporting the onboarding, academic and career development needs and graduation of students. Student Success Specialists have monthly case management meetings with students to review progress towards program completion and career goals. Throughout the course they communicate expectations, course schedules, and assignments to students while collecting and reporting student performance data to the programs team and TKH staff. Student Success Specialists report to the Student Success Manager, providing updates on which students need special interventions and/or further support. Student Success Specialists assist instructors in tracking student activity inside and outside the classroom and refer them to office hours and tutoring schedules. Activities include, but are not limited to the following: 

1. Providing Student Case Management (60%) 

• Conduct a bi-weekly to monthly check-ins with students tracking grade point average, progress towards career or college roadmap, course completion, and work-readiness, and job-seeking activities. 
• Coordinate mentorship, tutoring, celebrations, and additional support for students, ensuring strong participation and mastery of technical and career competencies. 
• Conduct cohort case management including documentation of student incidents, implementation and monitoring of improvement plans for students on probation.
• Serve as a liaison between fellows and TKH to address concerns and improve their program experience.
• Conduct wellness checks and offer assistance with mental health resources as needed. Provide supportive services to students who are facing barriers hindering their performance.
• Work with instructors and career success team to assess students and identify their next steps post-program. 
• Assist students with their college, internship and job search, providing resume and interview tips. 

2. Implementing Student Engagement Strategies and Supporting Events (25%)

• Strategize and optimize processes related to student engagement and persistence in the program from fellow onboarding to graduation day, ensuring an enticing and supportive program life cycle.
• Creating and facilitating run-of-show for Orientation Day and Demo Day for assigned programs.
• Represent TKH at networking events, meetups, training, and community engagement opportunities. 
• Support the execution of student events, including volunteer engagements, hackathons, company trips, and graduation for each cohort. 
• Support technical workshops to enhance students' interest and skills in computer science.
• Support in debriefing program outcomes per phase and program year to provide better programming and  recommendations to staff. Feedback being gathered through survey, debriefs, and regular touch points with fellows.

3. Administrative Tasks (15%) 

• Manage and update a database of students, tracking performance, feedback, and activities. 
• Distribute, collect, and organize student files, data, paperwork including media release forms, attendance sheets, case notes, etc. 
• Maintain program budget, spending, and attendance records using Google Sheets and Asana related to programmatic engagement events
• Ensuring the Student Success Handbook is updated each year with new program schedules and refreshed procedures, actively collecting usability. 

Qualifications: 

Experience 

• 2+ years of work experience ideally in a non-profit, education, or youth development environment 
• Demonstrated track record of supporting youth and adults with connections    opportunities, such as social services, college access, or workforce development
• Experience working with high school aged youth 
• Proficient in Google Drive applications and other apps for work, specifically using Excel and Google Sheets 
• Experience with project and event planning, and budget management
• Analytical skills and attention to detail 
• Proactivity and self-starter 

Skills & Approach to Work 

• Understanding of and proficiency with Learning Management Systems (LMS) 
• Skillful in using technical and non-technical assessment tools to measure the progress and performance of a diverse student population 
• Ability to independently produce high quality work, delegate, problem-solve, and ask for help when needed. 
• A passion and love for our students and their genius. A tenacious desire to smash all barriers in the way of our students accessing rewarding, high-paying careers in technology. 
• Exceptional organizational skills and ability to balance multiple priorities and deadlines in a constantly changing and fast-paced environment. 
• Excellent interpersonal communication, presentation, public speaking,"people skills" and exemplary emotional intelligence. 
• Ability to travel occasionally and participate in frequent evening and weekend activities for work-related purposes. 
• Commitment to contributing to positive organizational culture and core values. 
• Teamwork, including actively reaching out to colleagues to support or consult on projects and maintains collaborative work environment 
• Calm under pressure, with strong follow through and ability to meet deadlines 
• Strong work ethic and commitment to produce high quality work 
• Effective communication skills, including clear writing and professional email 

Compensation 

● Full-time $60,000-72,000/year salary. 

● Competitive health, dental, and vision insurance 

● 2% 401k match 

● A monthly tech stipend of $100 

● Unlimited days of paid time off 

It is the policy of The Knowledge House Fellowship, Inc. to promote and provide equal employment opportunity without discrimination based on age, race, creed, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, Veteran status, genetic predisposition, or carrier status.