Company Description

About Us

KIPP is a national network of free, open-enrollment, college-preparatory public schools in educationally underserved communities.  Over 100,000 students attend one of the 242 KIPP schools that operate in 31 regions across the United States.  KIPP Philadelphia Schools Public Schools (KPPS) is a part of the national KIPP network and currently leads six schools serving approximately 2,400 students in North and West Philadelphia. By 2030, KPPS will lead ten schools serving approximately 4,000 students.

Our Mission

Together with families and communities, we create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students to pursue the paths they choose—college, career, and beyond—so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world.

Life at KPPS

We know that talented, committed, culturally competent educators have the power to amplify our children’s potential by creating a school experience that affirms, values, and challenges them each day. We seek to create a professional environment full of joy, candor, care and community where excellent educators can make a long-term home. Educators at KIPP –

• Are committed to anti-racism, equity and inclusion
• Are part of a close-knit, diverse community of educators
• Show up as themselves, inspiring our children to do the same
• Access resources, workshops, and affinity spaces that support physical, emotional, and financial well-being
• Lead with care and candor and take ownership of our children’s learning and growth
• Constantly evolve their craft via 1:1 coaching and high quality professional development
• Have access to leadership pathway programming and opportunities to grow their career
• Enjoy a competitive, equitable, predictable approach to compensation, comprehensive health benefits for employees and their families, a 403B matching program, and free access to financial services

Job Description

Position Summary

Reporting to the Director of College Counseling, the Junior Seminar Counselor (JSC) is part of both the KIPP DuBois Collegiate Academy (KDCA) staff and the regional KIPP Forward (KF) team. The JSC is responsible for leading the Junior Seminar course and executing programming aimed at ensuring all KIPP DuBois  juniors develop a best-fit post-secondary plan and strengthen their pre-professional knowledge and skills. The JSC will accomplish this by leading multiple sections of our Junior Seminar course, employing effective, data-informed  Match practices throughout the post-secondary preparation process, and working collaboratively with key members of KIPP DuBois and the KF team to ensure the post-secondary success of each student.

Key Responsibilities

Teach multiple sections of Junior Seminar, a post-secondary readiness course that leverages KIPP’s College Knowledge and Career Success curriculum

• Implement CKCS strategies to drive a rigorous post-secondary exploration process
• Implement test preparation strategies and curriculum
• Collaborate with 11th grade team to support the academic success and post-secondary transition of all juniors
• Develop and deliver both parent and student facing workshops on all topics relevant to the post-secondary process
• Conduct student one-on-ones or targeted focus groups throughout the college placement process to ensure completion of all phases

Employ effective, data-informed Match practices throughout the college placement process

• Manage all student demographic and academic information across multiple platforms:  Naviance, Salesforce, Tableau, etc.
• Actively track and monitor progress towards student-level goals
• Support logistics for key events for the junior class
• Remain abreast of relevant developments concerning all aspects of college placement, including financial aid, scholarships, applications, and admissions standards
• Develop and utilize national KF network relationships to learn and share promising practices for positive student outcomes

Work collaboratively with key KIPP DuBois stakeholders and the KIPP Forward team to influence student outcomes

• Collaborate with the Director of College Counseling and placement staff in maintaining a strong and visible college culture within KIPP DuBois and a regional college counseling program for KPPS
• In partnership with the Director of Career Integration & Development and the Career Advisor, work to ensure the alignment of Match and Career integration in the Junior Seminar course
• Collaborate with 11th grade Advisors and content teachers in supporting Match efforts and influencing student post-secondary outcomes
• Work with and inform regional Match Team (School Leader, 11th/12th Grade Assistant Principal, Director of Learning Support, CEO, and KF Team)

Other relevant responsibilities as communicated by the Managing Director of KTCC  and the KDCA Principal

Qualifications

Qualifications & Credentials

• Love and see the high potential of all children
• Self-awareness and ability to reflect on your practice, biases, and leans
• Cultural competence and commitment to inclusion, anti-racism, and eradicating anti-Blackness
• Believe deeply in the mission and values of KIPP Philadelphia Public Schools
• Flexible and solutions-orientated; able to multi-task and adapt to change in a fast-paced environment
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Strong computer literacy, with proficiency in Microsoft Office (particularly Word, Excel and PowerPoint) and experience utilizing the Google Suite
• Ability to analyze and leverage data to inform key decisions, monitor progress and prepare reports
• Ability to exercise excellent judgement in decision-making
• Ability to work collaboratively
• Experience guiding underserved students and their families through college admission, financial aid, and scholarship application processes and procedures required
• Experience teaching in an urban, underserved community strongly preferred
• Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree preferred
• Complete all required criminal and child abuse background checks:
  • PA State Police Clearance
  • PA Child Abuse Clearance
  • Cogent Federal Fingerprinting

Additional Information

• Salaries at KPPS are competitive, equitable, and commensurate with experience.  

• KPPS staff members enjoy a comprehensive health benefits package (for themselves and their families), a 403B matching program, and access to free financial advising services