Healthy Community Initiative

11-month position (40 hours per week during the school year), 0.92 FTE

July 2024 start, two-year grant-funded position through June 30, 2026

Direct Supervisors: Tessa Kiesow, TORCH Director; Shane Baier, NHS Principal

Summary

The Healthy Community Initiative is seeking a person with passion for equity, social justice and working with youth to serve as a Success Coach and improve student enrollment and success in Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) and Advanced Placement (AP) classes at Northfield High School. The Success Coach will provide academic advising to students, and connect students with and support their success in advanced courses. This is a two-year (July 2024-June 2026), grant-funded position.

Background

The Student Success Center (SSC) is a study hall and academic resource center for any students wanting extra support to achieve success in school.  Staff, including an Interventionist, Educational Assistant, and Student Tutors work with students on academic, study, time management, organization, and social-emotional skills that lead to improved school performance.

Tackling Obstacles & Raising College Hopes (TORCH) is a collaborative school-community partnership to address disparities in education. TORCH is available to all traditionally under-served students, including youth who would be first-generation college students and young people from low-income households. TORCH works with more than 500 Northfield youth in grades 6-12 and recent graduates each year, providing academic advising, tutoring, postsecondary access, career exploration, and connections with a variety of opportunities and resources.

The Success Coach will extend the staffing of the SSC and TORCH to bolster assistance for historically underrepresented, high-potential students to support them in rigorous coursework that sets them on a path to future success.

Duties

Work alongside SSC and TORCH staff to provide direct services to students that improve their education outcomes and support goal-setting and achievement, including:

• Help students monitor assignment completion and grades, and complete individualized goal setting sessions with students
• Provide tutoring and homework help in students’ classes, during FLEX Time (lunch hour), and after school as needed
• Coordinate a team of volunteer tutors to provide tutoring services
• Collect and track program data, and monitor data dashboards alongside the school staff team to assess progress and results
• Lead TORCH’s supported PSEO program, providing direct support to an annual cohort of 20+ high school students in taking community college classes
• Maintain documentation and files (physical and online); complete grant reports

Required qualifications

• Associates degrees or at least 2 years of college coursework
• Ability to establish rapport quickly and build positive relationships through effective communication with students and staff
• Ability to effectively recruit, coordinate, and manage a team of volunteer tutors
• Proven ability to set and monitor progress toward short- and long-range goals; strong ability to carry out intermediate action steps
• Collaborative work style with ability to work both independently and as a member of a team
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Highly organized with superior attention to detail
• Experience evaluating program effectiveness through data collection, analysis and continuous improvement
• Capable of completing work on time in a fast-paced environment while maintaining a positive attitude
• Excellent ability to manage simultaneous projects and troubleshoot issues in a calm manner
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (PowerPoint, Word, and Excel) and Google Suite
• Must possess and maintain a valid Minnesota driver’s license and auto insurance and be able to travel throughout the community
• Willingness to maintain the standards, carry out the purpose, and adhere to the policies of HCI
• Maintenance of a cell phone is an expectation of employment

Preferred qualities

• 2-5 years of experience in youth development or related field
• Bilingual in English and Spanish
• Familiarity with Northfield and Rice County organizations and resources
• Familiarity with post-high school resources and opportunities
• Familiarity with career pathways

Perks

• Competitive pay and retirement savings plan – We conduct regular assessments to ensure our employees are compensated competitively, and we match employee contributions to a Simple IRA plan.
• Access to an array of benefits – We work with TriNet to offer employees an array of voluntary benefit options, including life insurance, disability, legal, and accident or critical illness insurance. All HCI employees have access to a free employee assistance program. Additionally, employees who work 30+ hours per week receive $300 per month ($3,600 annually) toward the cost of health or other insurance premiums.
• Paid Time Off and Minnesota Sick and Safe Leave – In addition to a regular Paid Time Off (PTO) program for eligible employees, all HCI employees accrue paid time off in accordance with the Minnesota Sick and Safe Leave legislation.
• Professional development – We value employees who seek to hone or gain new skills that make them even more effective in their work on behalf of youth and families. We nurture a professional growth culture where employees who are eager to learn are given every opportunity to do so.

Application review will begin on April 15 and will continue until the position is filled. The aim is for the selected candidate to begin the role by July 22, 2024.

Apply online using the link below. Include a cover letter that describes why you are interested in working for HCI as the Success Coach. Include the name, title, and contact information for three professional references.

Questions about the position may be directed to tkiesow@northfieldschools.org. Please reference “Success Coach” in the subject line.

Apply here