Zero Dropouts LLC is a leading organization dedicated to tackling the issue of high school dropout, graduation, and post-secondary transition rates. Our mission is to provide innovative solutions and support systems to empower students to stay engaged in their education and graduate successfully. We work closely with schools, educators, community organizations, and policymakers to create sustainable strategies for improving outcomes and ensuring every student has the opportunity to reach their full potential. 

Zero Dropouts takes an innovative, non-traditional approach to the learning and development of young adults grounded in the belief that all students can be successful in education and life. We are an educational social enterprise that partners WITH youth and communities in pursuit of equitable opportunities for all. We distinguish ourselves by being data and research-oriented, goal-focused, relationship-based, and willing to dive into difficult areas to achieve exemplary results and redefine success.

Position Overview:

Zero Dropouts is seeking a dedicated and compassionate Post-secondary Advisor to join our team. The Post-secondary Advisor will play a pivotal role in guiding students through a journey of self-discovery, exploration of career options, and navigation of post-secondary pathways. Operating within Englewood High School, Colorado’s Finest High School of Choice, and Next Littleton GED Program, the Post-secondary Advisor will work with approximately 150 high school seniors, fostering their matriculation and persistence with post-secondary plans.

Key Responsibilities:

Post-Secondary Planning

• Engage in personalized outreach sessions with approximately 150 high school seniors from Englewood High School, Colorado’s Finest High School of Choice, and Next Littleton, to collaboratively assess their individual post-secondary aspirations and plans 
• Utilize district career assessment tools and resources to assist students in identifying potential career paths, recognizing the interconnectedness of individual aspirations with broader systems
• Assist students in researching and assessing post-secondary education options, such as colleges, universities, career and technical programs, and the military, aligned with their academic, personal, and career goals
• Help students understand the diversity of financial options available to pursue post-secondary pathways, promoting financial sustainability
• Coordinate college tours and college representative visits to foster relationships between students and post-secondary institutions
• Work with Englewood HS staff to plan and execute annual college fair
• Facilitate post-secondary workshops and information sessions including ACC Connect, FAFSA events, general application skills, and the Summer College Tour Camp for upcoming seniors

Post-Secondary Navigation

• Provide personalized support to students as they navigate their individualized post-secondary pathways, including assistance with understanding application requirements, deadlines, and necessary documents for each college or program of interest 
• Offer information and resources for various financial aid options, including FAFSA, CAFSA, grants, scholarships, loans, and assist with completing financial aid and scholarship applications, emphasizing the importance of equitable access
• Help students interpret financial aid award letters and tuition statements to make informed decisions about their post-secondary education funding
• Provide ongoing support to students throughout the matriculation process, ensuring a smooth transition from high school to post-secondary education, including assistance with enrollment, course registration, and accessing campus resources

Student Advocacy and Support

• Provide ongoing support and encouragement to students as they navigate through the intricate pathways of decision-making regarding their futures, nurturing resilience, and adaptability  
• Engage in proactive outreach to students and their families, fostering meaningful connections and trust by prioritizing genuine relationships within the dynamic ecosystems of post-secondary planning, thereby supporting their active involvement in post-secondary planning sessions and activities 
• Collaborate with school counselors, teachers, and administrators to create a cohesive support system, promoting holistic growth and well-being for students as they matriculate to their identified post-secondary paths 
• Advocate for students' needs and interests in interactions with post-secondary institutions?and community organizations 

Data Collection, Analysis, and Reporting

• Collect and analyze data related to students' post-secondary aspirations, including their career interests, college or program preferences, and academic performance, to identify trends and inform programmatic decisions 
• Maintain comprehensive data collection and reporting systems to track students' progress toward their post-secondary goals, ensuring accurate and up-to-date records 
• Prepare and present reports and presentations summarizing key findings, trends, and outcomes related to post-secondary advising efforts to stakeholders, including school administrators, counselors, and community partners 

Collaboration & Communication

• Utilize all available communication platforms (Outlook, Teams, Trello, etc.) to engage with co-workers, students, and other stakeholders in a timely manner consistent with professional expectations
• Meet regularly with other post-secondary advisors to develop and maintain consistent practices across platforms, evaluate ed-tech tools, analyze data, etc.
• Participate in ZD meetings, team-building experiences, and professional development activities
• Develop district and community partnerships through participation in community events to support program improvements, student recruitment, post-secondary opportunities, extracurricular/enrichment experiences, service-learning projects, etc.
• Participate on Zero Dropouts Design Teams for product development as necessary and appropriate
• Other duties as assigned

Professional Development

• Engage in ongoing professional development and coaching to stay abreast of evidence-based practices, research, and trends in education to inform program enhancements

• Bachelor's degree in counseling, education, social work, human services, psychology, or other related field
• A minimum of two years’ experience working with high risk, adolescent populations in high school and post-secondary institutions
• Understanding of post-secondary processes and knowledge and experience with all of the tasks necessary for high school seniors to complete to successfully matriculate to higher education
• Extensive knowledge and understanding of the diversity of financial options available to pursue post-secondary pathways, including FAFSA, CAFSA, and local and national scholarships
• Extensive knowledge and experience with post-secondary educational opportunities within the Metro Denver area and the state of Colorado
• Two or more years of experience working with adolescents from diverse backgrounds as well as their families and support networks
• Experience working with trauma-impacted individuals or communities, with sensitivity to the unique needs and challenges they may face
• Ability to build rapport quickly and build trusting and supportive relationships
• Ability to work with parents and other members of student support networks to successfully support the student in matriculating to higher education
• Experience with serving low-income and first-generation college-going students
• Ability to support, advise, and counsel students on the social-emotional issues that impact successful matriculation to post-secondary
• Ability to work independently and remain organized in multiple settings
• Computer skills in Google and Microsoft applications
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Demonstrated appreciation of clear and appropriate boundaries with youth
• Dependable transportation and insurance
• Empathy, patience, and a genuine commitment to supporting learners' educational goal
• Passionate and committed belief that youth can rise above seemingly insurmountable obstacles and return to school, graduate, and enter into post-secondary education

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual in Spanish & English
• Working knowledge of Infinite Campus student information systems
• Knowledge and experience with online portals utilized by post-secondary institutions to convey information to incoming freshman
• Knowledge of placement tests- Accuplacer, ACT and SAT
• Knowledge of the developmental series at the community college level
• Knowledge of career interest inventories
• Experience working with ELD student populations

WORK SCHEDULE- This is a full-time position, Monday- Friday. In certain cases, flexible scheduling is necessary where you will be needed to work evenings and weekends.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS- This is a non-exempt position with an hourly range of $20.50 to $24.50 commensurate with qualifications, knowledge, and relevant experience. Employees are eligible for the company 401K plan with Employer Contribution Match, Medical, Dental & Vision Coverage, Paid Time Off (Sick Time, Holidays, Flexible Vacation). This position is not PERA eligible.

HOW TO APPLY- Follow this link to apply or select the “Apply Now” button on the posting page. If you have any questions, please contact HR at hr@zerodropouts.com