PORTLAND YOUTH BUILDERS
Tuesday, June 1st, 2010POSITION SUMMARY
Portland YouthBuilders (PYB) is a small alternative high school and job training program dedicated to serving young adults, ages 17-24, who want to transform their lives. PYB’s focus is on assisting our students to complete high school with a GED or Diploma, obtain job readiness skills, become critical thinkers and community leaders, develop a viable career pathway, and take the first steps to achieving their goals beyond this program. Further, PYB aims to support students through the completion of their postsecondary education and training goals.Â
Nearly 100% of PYB students would be the first in their families to go to and/or complete a college certification or degree. PYB seeks a college success specialist who is experienced in and passionate about guiding students through all steps to post-secondary education and training. This position is an opportunity for a creative college transition professional who wants to be a part of a community of learners and educators and who strives to support first-generation college students to not only apply and gain admittance to college but to persist and complete their degree and certification goals. At PYB, staff and students are committed to preparing ALL students to be successful in college, post-secondary training, and the work place.Â
Women and people of color are encouraged to apply.Â
Reports To:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Education Manager
Hourly:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $20 per hour; no benefits
Timeframe/Hours:            40 hours per week for a minimum of 12 weeks Â
Position Description                                         Â
Reporting to the Education Manager, the College Success Specialist (CSS) will build relationships with students to ensure the college acceptance, matriculation, and persistence to completion of Portland YouthBuilders students to college and other postsecondary certification programs. The CSS will provide support for alumni as they transition from PYB to college and/or other post-secondary certification programs.Â
Knowing Students Well: From students’ first days in the program, the CSS will build relationships with them through one-on-one meetings, college workshops and classes.Â
Case Management: As students identify their career and education goals, the CSS will guide students through the process of applications, financial aid, and matriculation into their respective post-secondary programs. The CSS will case manage the students who transition from PYB to college and other certification programs and provide on-going support through the completion of their programs. The CSS will also attend case management team meetings to support each student’s transition process. As students transition into their second year of services, the CSS will work closely with students’ advocates to provide wrap-around support.Â
Building Partnerships: The CSS will work with the education manager and the Alternative Pathways liaison to deepen targeted relationships with local postsecondary institutions both to support students exploring college and to support students attending these institutions.Â
Responsibilities Include:Â
·        Represent PYB’s long-term commitment to students by assisting students and their families through the college application process and providing on-going support as they transition out of PYB
·        Manage the day-to-day operations of PYB College Bound, PYB’s bridge-to-college program.
·        Provide one-on-one support to students to develop their transition plan to college
·        Ensure all PYB students submit a FAFSA within their first six months in the program
·        Coordinate and conduct FAFSA, scholarship, essay writing, and overall financial aid workshops for students and their families
·        Coordinate community college admissions, placement testing, and registration for all eligible students while they are attending PYB
·        Work collaboratively to coordinate individual, small group, and all-school college visits
·        Work collaboratively with students’ case management teams to assess students’ postsecondary readiness, develop transition plans, and facilitate a seamless transition for students from PYB to postsecondary education
·        Case manage PYB students who have transitioned to postsecondary education through the completion of their programs
·        Track student progress toward postsecondary goals through maintaining information in the PYB database
·        Meet regularly with the PYB education manager, provide reports about PYB student preparedness and participation in college/post-secondary training programsÂ
QUALIFYING KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE
·        Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university
·        Minimum two years working in a secondary or higher education setting preferred
·        Knowledge of college admissions/financial aid systems
·        Experience with post-secondary education preparedness/retention in a social service setting
·        Demonstrated experience and competency working with a diverse population
·        The ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with people from diverse backgrounds
·        Strong written and speaking skills required
·        Excellent organizational and multi-tasking skills
·        Ability to improvise and work through uncertainties.
·        Capacity to collaborate with colleagues in order to facilitate student success
·        Valid Oregon Driver’s LicenseÂ
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Deadline and closing date: June 11, 2010
To apply: Send resume and cover letter to Elise Huggins, Education Manager at elise_h@pybpdx.org.
For more information, visit our Website at www.pybpdx.org.
PYB is an equal opportunity organization and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed, marital status, national origin, political affiliation, disability, veteran status, or any other classifications applicable by law. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.**Portland YouthBuilders’ students and staff are subject to criminal background checks and random drug tests**
