Scholar Advocate – High School

ABOUT THE ROLE

Reports to: Program Manager – High School

Location: Kansas City, MO

Hybrid: 2 days in office, 3 days remote (technology provided

Status: Exempt, Full-time

Salary: Annual salary based on experience

Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, STD, LTD, Life Insurance, PTO, Holidays, leave program, 401k including employer contribution, and others

Operating hours: 8:30 am to 5:00 pm CST, this position will work 20% of the workday outside traditional office hours each week.

Key Performance Indicators:

Through scholar coaching relationship and partnership with High School and Post-Secondary Network Partners:

• • Ensure that 100% of CSM/Traditional Scholarship awardees entering the pipeline continue enrolling in college.

• • Ensure 80% of Traditional Scholars complete/graduate from a degree program

• • Ensure 80% of Traditional Scholars complete career plan identifying pathway to job paying $45,000+

Through partnership outreach and community engagement, meet annual qualified applicant goals for CSM and Traditional Scholarship Programs

 RESPONSIBILITIES

The Scholar Advocate will be a proven efficient, high-functioning professional with previous successful experience supporting high school students from diverse and low-income backgrounds including specific knowledge related to successful college advising, enrollment, and completion.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• • Contribute strategic thinking and support College Savings Match and Traditional Scholars.

• • Serve as an advocate for a caseload of High School Scholars – conduct virtual and/or in-person meetings one-on-one and in groups; send and respond to emails, phone calls, and texts; and assist students to identify and overcome barriers to academic success, including connecting them to resources on and off campus.

• • Identify Scholars for dedicated events and invitations, such as luncheons, media opportunities, newsletter articles, speaking opportunities, and more.

• • Evaluate processes and procedures related to Scholars transitioning to and in college to provide strategic minded feedback and improvements toward meeting established KPI’s.

• •  Follow established policies and processes related to supporting and communicating with Scholars.

• • Assist with planning and delivery of all required orientations and college planning education/workshops for Traditional Scholars and College Savings Match Scholars.

• • Collaborate with post-secondary network staff, including student support personnel, advisors, and financial aid officers to address gaps or challenges, and ensure aligned and accurate communication to students.

• • Support marketing and community outreach to prospective scholarship applicants, in coordination with the overall marketing and outreach strategic plan.

• • Identify and make recommendations about obstacles or gaps that prevent Scholars from persisting in and completing college and propose action steps to be taken.

• • Collaborate with College Savings Match and Traditional Scholar leadership team, to research, analyze, and present information as needed to demonstrate the impact of the program components, using effective data visualization techniques to clearly communicate program outcomes.

• • Provide Scholars-specific content for cohort newsletters, overall program communication, and training.

• • Assist with development of programs and initiatives to help with outreach and increase awareness of KC Scholars in the community.

• • Attend meetings and events as needed, serving as a representative of KC Scholars to external stakeholders.

• • Other related activities and duties as assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree is required, while an advanced degree is preferred.

Work Experience:

• • A minimum of 3+ years of relevant experience in serving individuals from diverse and low-income backgrounds including specific knowledge related to successful student support strategies for persistence and completion.

• • Proven and successful experience collaborating with other organizations and team members to achieve program goals.

• • Passion for increasing access to education and career placement among young adults-especially among those who may be a member of a demographic group traditionally underrepresented in the workforce paying $45,000 or more per year.

• • Ability to work under competing deadlines/demands.

• • Ability to be proactive and consider the bigger picture.

• • Exceptional judgment that augments an ability to be solutions-oriented and then act appropriately to solve problems. 

• • Strong organizational skills, well-developed process skills, attention to detail, and ability to multi-task in a rapidly scaling organization.

• • Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills, including ability to work with large diverse, multi-generational audiences.

• • Ability to analyze data and recognize and articulate trends.

• • Experience working in a fast-paced, goal-oriented environment with the ability to set and meet clear deadlines.

• • Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Power Point, and Excel).

Additional Knowledge, skills, and competencies:

• • Deep command of knowledge and practice of the college application process, admissions eligibility, financial aid, academic requirements, college enrollment, and college persistence – specifically for students historically underrepresented in higher education.

• • Proven and successful experience collaborating with other organizations to achieve program goals.

• • Passion for increasing college access and college completion-especially among students who may be a first-generation student or who may be a member of a demographic group traditionally underrepresented in postsecondary institutions.

• • Ability to work under competing deadlines/demands.

• • Ability to be proactive and consider the bigger picture.

• • Exceptional judgment that augments an ability to be solutions-oriented and then act appropriately to solve problems.

• • Strong organizational skills, well-developed process skills, attention to detail, and ability to multi-task in a rapidly scaling organization.

• • Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills, including ability to work with large diverse, multi-generational audiences.

• • Ability to analyze data and recognize and articulate trends.

• • Experience working in a fast-paced, goal-oriented environment with the ability to set and meet clear deadlines.

• • Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Power Point, and Excel).

Physical requirements:

• • Ability to lift up to 15 lbs.

• • Ability to work in an office and remote environment.

• • Ability to travel from and to work and occasionally to regional sites as the organization grows.

• • Ability to work 20% of the workday outside traditional office hours each week.

• • Ability to interact with others via technology, face-to-face and collectively.

 TO APPLY

 To apply, please follow this link, and be prepared to upload your resume.

 KC Scholars firmly supports the principle and philosophy of equal opportunity for all individuals, regardless of age, race, gender, creed, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected category pursuant to applicable federal, state, or local law.