GEAR UP College Access Program Coordinator

Conexion Americas

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Job Summary

Conexión Américas

Position: GEAR UP College Access Program Coordinator 

Conexión Américas seeks qualified candidates for the full-time position of  GEAR Up Coordinator. The successful candidate will demonstrate excellent communication skills in English and Spanish and significant experience in working with Latino populations. The candidate will also demonstrate an understanding of challenges relating to youth development and college access  in low-income communities, specifically in the Latino immigrant community. Experience with education, college access, or leadership development preferred. The successful candidate must be highly organized, compassionate, possess a high level of initiative, and be adaptable to working with people of diverse socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds. Only candidates who can demonstrate total commitment to the mission and values of Conexión Américas should apply. Please read about our mission and values on our website at www.conexionamericas.org. 

Please read about our mission and values on our website at www.conexionamericas.org.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

This is a permanent, full-time staff position that reports to the Associate Director of Education. The GEAR Up Coordinator will be responsible for managing daily GEAR UP program operations and activities in four assigned high school sites. GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) is a federal college access grant awarded to MNPS (Metro Nashville Public Schools) that begins with serving a cohort of 7th and 8th grade students and will follow these students for six years until the 7th grade class enters postsecondary. During the 2021-2022 school year, it will serve these students in their 9th and 10th grader year. Conexión Américas is a GEAR UP partner with MNPS, providing services to Latino/EL students and families with the aim of increasing enrollment and success in postsecondary education. This will be done by providing culturally responsive student programming (including in school class meetings and after school events), parent workshops, semesterly newsletters, college and career field trips, staff trainings on serving Latino students, and a week long summer program in June or July.

About Conexión Américas

Conexión Américas is a Latino nonprofit organization based in Nashville, TN. Our mission is to build a welcoming community and create opportunities where Latino families can belong, contribute and succeed. Our organization was founded in 2002 to address some of the most pressing challenges created by recent demographic changes in Middle Tennessee as an increasing number of Latino families come to this region searching for a better quality of life. 

We focus on four areas of community impact:

Social Integration (family engagement, youth development and English as a Second Language), 

Economic Integration (homeownership, micro-entrepreneurship and taxpayer education/assistance), 

Civic Integration (community education through workshops and grassroots leadership development) and Community Development (arts and placemaking).

For more information about Conexión Américas, visit us at www.conexionamericas.org and check our organization’s profile at www.GivingMatters.com

Job Responsibilities

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provides strategic college readiness and awareness services for Latino and EL  students and families, including academic planning, preparation and career exploration 
• Provide one-on-one case management for 20 students per school or 80 students overall 
• Work closely with Metro Nashville Public School GEAR UP staff at the four assigned high school sites
• Develop and maintain partnerships with post-secondary institutions and other key stakeholders to provide students with post-secondary exposure and experiences
• Coordinates outreach and retention efforts to successfully meet designated program goals
• Creates and supports activities and workshops to provide information to families regarding the college entrance process, course selection, and financial aid process
• Creates and delivers culturally relevant and high quality lessons and presentations to students and their parents
• Ensures alignment of GEAR UP program with existing Conexión Américas education programs: parent engagement, after school programs, and college access and success.
• Serves as the main information source and point of contact for Latino students and families participating in the case management
• Tracks attendance and maintains accurate data on all program participants. 
• Works closely with school administrators and staff to communicate program progress, and alignment to school goals
• Integrates social and emotional development strategies in programming
• Coordinates special events and program field trips
• Oversees budget for programming 
• Evaluates workshop and program activities, including analysis of outcomes and recommendations for improvements, and reports program information to funders and other stakeholders
• Works to ensure that all projects and activities align with the overall vision and goals of the GEAR UP initiative
• Supports all other Conexión Américas Youth Programming

General Organizational Support:

• Communicates in a positive and effective manner Conexión Américas’ mission and programs
• Assists with fairs and outreach events on behalf of Conexión Américas to talk about all of Conexión Américas’ programs
• Attends and provides support as needed to organizational events and fundraisers

Job responsibilities include but are not limited to those listed above.  As with every other job at Conexión Américas, every person in the organization will assist in any way necessary to respond to new demands and to assure a collaborative environment.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS (Education and Experience)

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field required
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in both English and Spanish required, biculturalism preferred
• Flexibility, creativity, initiative and ability to work as a team member required
• Ability to interact with diverse groups of stakeholders required
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple tasks and work in a fast-paced environment with deadlines and strict timelines required
• Flexible schedule required
• Ability and willingness to work some evenings and weekends required 
• Excellent computer skills, including MS Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint and database management required
• Reliable transportation required
• Demonstrated appreciation for Latino culture and people required
• Strong understanding of Latino culture and Latino issues in the U.S required
• Ability to carry up to 50 lbs. preferred
• Experience and knowledge of nonprofit organizations’ operations preferred

Additional Information

Benefits

How to Apply

To Apply: Please submit cover letter, resume and references to Maria Paula Zapata, Associate Director of Education Programs, via email to maria@conexionamericas.org. This interview will be conducted in English and in Spanish. No phone calls or in-person inquiries, please. 

Details

• Date Posted: June 28, 2021
• Type: Full-Time
• Job Function: Educator
• Service Area: Children / Youth
• Working Hours: 40 hrs/wk