Director of College Counseling- IDEA Rundberg College Prep (Immediate Opening)

Role Mission: IDEA Directors of College Counseling oversee the college admissions and financial aid application process for 12th grade students at an IDEA College Preparatory school (Grades 6-12) in order to ensure 100% of high school graduates enroll at and set foot on a four-year college or university. The DCC manages the Counseling team (often comprised of the College Counselor and Road-To-and-Through (RTTC) Teachers). They educate students and parents about the benefits of post-secondary education. They guide students in their college search and selection and ensure all students are on track for graduation. Directors of College Counseling may also teach college readiness lessons.   

What You’ll Do -- Accountabilities

Matriculation and College Acceptance

• 100% of students accepted to a College/University
• 50% of students accepted to Tier I/II College/University
• 100% of graduates matriculate to a College/University
• 25% of students matriculate to Tier I/Tier II College/University

Student Achievement

• 96% students passing all classes (On track to graduate)
• 21 average ACT score
• 3.0 average GPA for seniors
• 100% of seniors on track to graduate

Student Engagement

• 95% of students attend field lessons
• 75% of high school juniors attend Summer Away Experience
• 100% students complete community service hours
• 90% student persistence
• 93% high school persistence

Staff Retention

• 85% college counseling team retention

Responsibilities:

• Manage and lead the college counseling team to meet student achievement and department goals
• Ensure all students are on-track to graduate from high school 
• Guide students and parents through the college search, admissions, and financial aid processes 
• Support teachers in planning college field lessons and scheduling college visits to IDEA 
• Teach Road To and Through College (RTTC) classes to 9-12th graders 
• Create the school’s master class schedule and schedule all students 
• Establish and maintain a cooperative working relationship with students and families based on trust, understanding and respect for the communities in which they identify.
• Participate in weekly manager check-ins, grade-level meetings, parent meetings, parent information sessions, before and after-school duties, and school wide meetings and functions
• Engage in summer and year-long district, school and personal learning and development
• Minimum of 40+ hours spent at school per week

We look for Team and Family who embody the following values and characteristics: 

• Believes and is committed to our mission and being an agent of change: that all students are capable of getting to and through college  
• Has demonstrated effective outcomes and results, and wants to be held accountable for them 
• Has a propensity for action, willing to make mistakes by doing in order to learn and improve quickly 
• Works with urgency and purpose to drive student outcomes 
• Thrives in an entrepreneurial, high-growth environment; is comfortable with ambiguity and change 
• Seeks and responds well to feedback, which is shared often and freely across all levels of the organization 
• Works through silos and forges strong cross-departmental relationships in order to achieve outcomes 
• We believe in education as a profession and hold ourselves to high level of conduct, professionalism and behaviors as models for our colleagues and students 

What You Bring -- Competencies

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in counseling preferred
• Experience: At least 3 years of experience in university/college readiness, pathway or success; High School counseling experience preferred; at least one year of experience managing others
• Certificate: Valid Counseling certificate preferred

Knowledge and Skills:

• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to adjust and adapt to a multitude of situations in the school environment
• Experience in college admissions is preferable
• Ability to build solid student and family relationships
• Strong command of the English language both verbal and written
• Ability to manage other adults to achieve ambitious outcomes
• Proven track record of results with student academic progress

What We Offer

Compensation: 

Salaries for people entering this role typically fall between $78,141 and $95,000, commensurate with relevant experience and qualifications and in alignment with internal equity. This role is also eligible for a performance bonus based on team performance and goal attainment.

Other Benefits:

We offer a comprehensive benefits plan, covering the majority of the employee premium for the base medical plan and subsidizing the majority of costs for a spouse/domestic partner and children. Other benefits include dental and vision plans, disability, life insurance, parenting benefits, flexible spending account options, generous vacation time, com‐muter benefits, referral bonuses, professional development, and a 403(b) plan. We also offer an inclusive environment where staff are encouraged to bring their whole selves to work every day. IDEA may offer a relocation stipend to defray the cost of moving for this role, if applicable.

To Apply

Please submit your application online through Jobvite. It’s in your best interest to apply as soon as possible.

About IDEA Public Schools 

At IDEA Public Schools, we believe each and every child can go to college. Since 2000, IDEA Public Schools has grown from a small school with 150 students to the fastest-growing network of tuition-free, Pre-K-12 public charter schools in the United States.   

IDEA Public Schools boasts national rankings on The Washington Post and U.S. News & World Report’s top high schools lists. IDEA serves nearly 75,000 college-bound students in 137 schools across Texas, Southern Louisiana and Florida and is on-track to maintain its legacy of sending 100% of its graduates to college. Be on the lookout for IDEA schools opening near you—with new launches in Jacksonville, FL (2022). Cincinnati, OH (2022), and Arkansas (2023)!    

When you choose to work at IDEA, you are part of our IDEA Team and Family. You will work alongside team members who set and reach ambitious goals every day, are excited to continue to grow with IDEA, and work relentlessly to make college for all a reality.