On-Track Coach

On-Track Coach

Overview:

The RISE Network’s (RISE) mission is to ensure all high school students graduate with a plan and the skills and confidence to achieve college and career success. Founded in 2015, RISE partners with public high schools to lead networks where communities work together to use data to learn and improve. Through its core and most comprehensive network, RISE partners with nine high schools and eight districts, serving over 13,000 students in historically marginalized communities.

RISE high schools work together to ensure all students experience success as they transition to, through, and beyond high school by using data to pinpoint needs, form hypotheses, and pursue ideas to advance student achievement. Partner schools have improved Grade 9 promotion rates by nearly 20 percentage points, while also decreasing subgroup gaps and increasing schoolwide graduation and college access rates. In 2021, RISE was honored to receive the Carnegie Foundation’s annual Spotlight on Quality in Continuous Improvement recognition. Increasingly, RISE is pursuing opportunities to scale its impact through research publications, consulting partnerships, professional development experiences, and other avenues to drive excellent student outcomes.

Position Summary and Essential Job Functions:

Research shows the critical importance of freshman year in predicting high school and postsecondary success, and too many students struggle during the transition between middle and high school. The On-Track Coach will serve in an embedded capacity in Westhill High School in Stamford, CT, which is a RISE partner high school. The On-Track Coach will play an integral role supporting Grade 9 students demonstrating attendance, academic, social, and/or behavioral risk factors, and provide personalized and immediate support. The On-Track Coach will serve as an advocate and coach for students who may otherwise fall off-track by collaborating with teachers, administrators, students, and families to ensure every student succeeds. This is an extraordinary opportunity for an individual who thrives in a fast-paced and results-oriented school environment, and is passionate about closing achievement gaps and developing the potential of all students regardless of life circumstance.

The application deadline for this position is July 5th, please submit your resume by that date to be considered.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Personalized Student Support:

Build meaningful relationships and provide targeted support for a caseload of up to 60 freshmen demonstrating attendance, academic, social, and/or behavioral risk factors.
Engage students in one-on-one counseling and coaching sessions, serving as students’ champions and advocates.
Promote seamless transitions between middle school and high school.
Develop personalized achievement plans for all students; regularly engage students, families, and staff in conversations about progress relative to individualized achievement plans.
Coordinate necessary academic and nonacademic interventions for each student, working in close collaboration with teachers, families, administration, social workers, counselors, and partners.
Forge and maintain close partnerships with families, serve as a liaison between parents and the school, and engage families in regular conversations about student progress.

2. Data Analysis:

Analyze student data and early warning signs, and closely monitor student progress to provide proactive and preventative support supported by data.
Implement data-driven systems, tools, and processes to maintain a pulse on student needs and progress.
Participate in and co-facilitate weekly on-track data meetings with Grade 9 faculty and staff.
Collaborate with faculty and staff to analyze data and students’ on-track achievement levels.
Coordinate interventions and support with staff in response to individual student data.
Review on-track progress data with students and families.
Maintain a careful log of student and family interactions, interventions, and student progress.

3. On-Track Programming:

Co-design and co-lead programming to support Grade 9 on-track achievement.
Staff summer transition programming, targeting rising freshmen and preparing these students for successful transitions to high school.
Participate in a learning cohort of On-Track Coaches working in high schools in urban communities in Connecticut.
Share resources and tools with other On-Track Coaches and Grade 9 teams.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

Deep understanding of urban districts and schools.
Strong sense of accountability and responsibility for results.
Experience working with high school-age youth and their families.
Desire to work in a dynamic, entrepreneurial, results-oriented environment.
Excellent oral and written communication skills, including group facilitation.
Ability to interact professionally and earn credibility with a diverse range of stakeholders.
Outstanding interpersonal skills and teamwork.
Ability to master new content quickly and work in a self-motivated manner.
Demonstrated ability to motivate and inspire students, families, and school staff.
Strong critical thinking including synthesizing different types of data.
Sense of humor, positive attitude, and willingness to work in a collaborative environment.
Experience assessing and applying best practices at scale to drive results.
Strong organizational and project management skills.
Ability to work effectively under pressure and to meet competing demands.
Excellent computer skills; ability to use PowerPoint, Excel, Google apps, and the Internet.
Strong belief that all students can learn and achieve at high levels.

Required Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field required; master’s degree in a relevant field preferred.
Minimum of three years of relevant professional experience in counseling, social work, teaching, and/or working with youth and families.
Prior experience working with urban public schools.

Salary Range:

$55,000- $75,000

Most new hires' salaries fall within the first half of the range, allowing team members to grow in their roles. For those who already have significant and aligned experiences at the same level as the role, placement may be at the higher end of the range.

RISE is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

The application deadline for this position is July 5th, please submit your resume by that date to be considered.