Location: 1901 Centre Ave, Suite 204, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

Level/Salary Range: $50,000/annually and generous benefits package

Job Category: Non-Exempt, Salaried, Full Time, Year-round

Travel Required: Regional

Schedule: Monday through Friday, Varied to align with school day, with evenings and weekends as required

Position reports to: Strategic Partnerships Manager

Job Purpose: The Promise Coach promotes post-secondary access and degree attainment by serving as a mentor, resource, liaison and advocate to PPS students (grades 9-12) and Promise Scholars (post-secondary students). Promise Coaches will provide in-school college and career exploration assistance to students in grades 9-12 (grades 6-12 where applicable). For Promise Scholars, Coaches will provide both remote and in-person coaching to ensure Scholars successfully transition to and through their post-secondary education.

Duties:

Equip students to identify their skills and interests

• Pro-actively reach out to assigned students and Scholars to build trusting relationships
• Ensure the Coach office provides an inclusive environment and meaningful college and career resources to all students
• Encourage students and Scholars to take advantage of and help them to interpret/understand strength-based assessment tools and career aptitude resources

Help students to understand their career options and pathway/ Navigate the marketplace and its opportunities

• Coordinate and/or deliver career awareness, exposure and preparation programs and speakers
• Coach students to connect career options, and the required post-secondary pathways, with their strengths, interests, and marketplace opportunities
• Ensure Promise Scholars take advantage of on-campus career resources and alumni networks

Prepare students to utilize their available financial, academic, and psycho-social resources

• Help PPS students and Promise Scholars resolve general obstacles to post-secondary and career success that come up throughout the school year by coaching them on self-advocacy and resourcefulness skills
• Facilitate post-secondary access to high school students through individual and group conversations, workshops, and presentations:
• Comprehensive post-secondary application timeline
• Application assistance (including personal statements, essays, resume)
• Campus visits and admissions interviews
• FAFSA/PHEAA submission
• Promise portal access and use
• Scholarship assistance
• Financial aid applications and interpreting award packages
• Post-secondary decision-making, enrollment processes, and campus arrival
• Ensure Promise Scholars connect with and enroll in on-campus academic and socio-emotional support services:
• First year experience and transition supports
• Tutoring, writing center, and related academic supports
• Positive peer and social connections

Empower students to realize the urgency of making good choices

• Raise students’ awareness of, participation in, and ongoing eligibility for The Pittsburgh Promise scholarship
• Facilitate and promote positive college and career connections with near-peer and adult role models through community partnerships including volunteerism, mentoring, and outside speakers
• Monitor and guide Promise Scholars’ post-secondary progress to degree attainment with and through campus-based resources

Other:

• Consistently and accurately record student interactions and activities in The Promise’s online data collection system
• Complete any other duties or responsibilities assigned by the Strategic Partnership Manager or Director of College and Career Success

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Experience developing trusting relationship with under-represented populations, particularly high school students and young adults; experience in post-secondary access and success programming a plus
• Proven ability to work successfully with diverse populations and demonstrated commitment to promote and enhance diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Demonstrated ability to build strong working relationships with internal and external partners, and to meaningfully interact with diverse populations including staff, students, civic and business leaders, community partners, and funders
• Proven record-keeping and organizational skills
• Excellent writing, editing, and speaking skills
• Proactive problem-solver who demonstrates initiative and ability to self-manage work individually and as part of a team
• Ability to multi-task and operate in a professional manner, including proper attire, ethical behavior, and maintaining strict confidentiality with student/family information
• Demonstrated commitment to The Pittsburgh Promise’s vision, mission, and core values
• A sense of humor, tolerance for change, and a demonstrated ability to create a positive, inclusive culture and sense of empowerment for students/families
• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite tools
• Ability to make a minimum two-year commitment
• Must pass appropriate clearances (criminal record and child abuse)
• Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident

To Apply:

Interested candidates should submit resume and cover letter to jobs@pghfdn.org

No phone calls please.

THE PITTSBURGH PROMISE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER COMMITTED TO DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION.