Jobs

Career and College Readiness Coordinators

Position Overview 

Achieve Twin Cities is seeking two career and college readiness (CCR) coordinators to manage our high school-based career and college readiness centers in Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) and Saint Paul Public Schools (SPPS). As key members of their school counseling teams, these CCR coordinators directly advise and guide students in their career and postsecondary exploration and planning. They also support the development and implementation of career and college readiness systems and activities in partnership with school and community-based staff. Achieve is a universal service provider in MPS and SPPS high schools, and CCR coordinators work with all students in their assigned schools and are required to be present in the school full-time. These positions report to a career and college readiness program manager. The approximate start date for these positions is mid-December 2024. Priority is given to applications received by Wednesday, November 20. Candidates should indicate in their letter of interest which school location they are applying for.  

School Sites 

MPS Contract Alternative Program (CAP) schools provide opportunities for families to choose the learning environment that meets the specific needs of their students. These choice-based programs are designed to serve students who have not found success in the traditional school model. As a key member of the CAP district team, the Achieve career and college readiness coordinator will support a portfolio of four CAP schools and directly advise and guide students in their career and postsecondary exploration and planning. They will also develop and implement career and college readiness programming in partnership with schools and the CAP district team, including events, workshops and experiential field trips. Strong candidates for this position are highly organized, excellent at building relationships, and passionate about supporting students in alternative schools. Learn more about the MPS CAP schools.   

SPPS Washington Technology Magnet High School is one of Achieve Twin Cities’ seven comprehensive high school partners in SPPS. Washington’s mission is to inspire and cultivate innovative minds by providing STEM-focused, highly intellectual learning opportunities that prepare students for lifelong success. The Achieve CCR coordinator manages the Washington Career Pathways Center, a highly active space. Strong candidates for this position are highly collaborative, proactive communicators, and comfortable working with large groups of students. Learn more about Washington Technology Magnet High School.  

Achieve Twin Cities Career and College Readiness Services in MPS and SPPS Schools 

Achieve Twin Cities provides expert, personalized career and college readiness guidance, resources and connections for over 17,000 students each year in 27 MPS and SPPS high schools. Our individualized advising helps students explore and chart their career course, make a plan for success after graduation and pursue postsecondary education opportunities, including two or four-year college, apprenticeships, technical training, military service and other pathways. Our professional staff include licensed school counselors, social workers, admissions experts, educators and youth workers. We are experts in helping students develop and pursue the best postsecondary plans for their individual career and life goals.   

The Young People We Serve  

Twin Cities youth are our emerging leaders – talented, capable and ready to learn. We believe in the power of career and postsecondary readiness to enable young people to imagine and live rewarding lives, and we prioritize services for our students who face systemic barriers to access. 65% of Minneapolis Public Schools students are youth of color, 58% are eligible for free or reduced priced lunch, and over 100 different languages are spoken in the district. In Saint Paul Public Schools, 80% of students identify as non-white, 70% are eligible for free and reduced priced lunch, and over 110 languages and dialects are spoken in the district.   

Duties and Responsibilities 

Provide individualized student-centered advising to foster student self-discovery and agency in their postsecondary transition: 

  • Support students in developing self-knowledge by building decision-making, problem-solving and self-advocacy skills and identifying interests and strengths 
  • Assist students in increasing career pathway knowledge by connecting interests and strengths to potential careers and researching and exploring career fields/clusters/pathways 
  • Support students in their postsecondary plan development and completion: 
  • Support students in researching and preparing their postsecondary plan, including exploring postsecondary options and determining appropriate postsecondary match and fit 
  • Assist students in executing their postsecondary education or training plan, including applying to colleges or universities, apprenticeships, career certificate, military and other programs 
  • Support students in developing financial literacy and identifying how they will finance their postsecondary plan, including completing FAFSA/ MN Dream Act and scholarship applications, interpreting financial aid award packages and building a budget 
  • Maintain accurate records and monitor data on students’ postsecondary planning progress 

Coordinate both targeted and universal resources and opportunities for students to increase career and college pathway knowledge: 

  • Connect students to external CCR opportunities such as internships, jobs, summer programs 
  • Support recruitment for and connect students to college access programs 
  • Assist students in connecting with representatives visiting their school, such as college, military or scholarship reps 
  • Deliver CCR classroom lessons and workshops on career exploration and postsecondary planning topics 
  • Create, host and facilitate student participation in experiential CCR events (such as college fairs, college tours, family CCR events, broad career exposure opportunities) 
  • Maintain CCR related communications and resources (newsletter, Google site, etc.) 

Support partnership development and collaborative career and college readiness (CCR) systems-building: 

  • Manage the career and college readiness center in the school 
  • Partner with school counseling teams to develop and deliver high quality, school-wide CCR services   
  • Serve as a liaison and manage external college access, postsecondary and other CCR program partnerships   
  • Identify additional school staff to refer students to and collaborate with on school wide CCR initiatives, such as Work-Based Learning coordinators, Career and Technical Education, etc. 
  • Communicate regularly with the school administration, counseling team and building staff on issues related to CCR, including data and progress towards the school’s CCR goals 
  • Support district career and college readiness curriculum 
  • Effectively use the district’s CCR technological systems (Infinite Campus, Xello, etc.) 
  • Attend all relevant professional development related to Achieve Twin Cities and district counseling teams and seek out opportunities for ongoing professional learning and growth 

Qualifications and Experience 

Required: 

  • Ability to work effectively and build trusting relationships with young people, centering their individual identities and experiences 
  • Commitment to anti-racism and increasing equity in access to all postsecondary opportunities. 
  • Current knowledge and experience with postsecondary advising best practices 
  • Current knowledge of career pathway options, training and degree requirements and college application processes and resources 
  • Prior experience working with young people, particularly in academic or school settings  
  • Ability to work collaboratively with school staff, community organizations, families, college admission staff, business representatives, volunteers and other community stakeholders to support student outcomes 
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills and experience working as part of a team 
  • Comfortable taking initiative  
  • Bachelor’s degree (or higher) 
  • Commitment to Achieve Twin Cities mission, vision and values 
  • Ability to work well with people with diverse backgrounds and experiences 

Preferred: 

  • Experience working within public school systems 
  • Experience working with youth who did not find success in traditional school settings preferred for position that will work with CAP schools 
  • Master’s degree in counseling, social work, higher education or related field 

Compensation and Benefits 

  • $58,000 - $65,000 starting salary, depending on experience, with opportunity for compensation increases based on an annual performance review and to reflect pay parity across the organization 
  • This is a regular full-time salary exempt position. CCR coordinators have the month of July off as additional holidays and are paid regularly across all 12 months annually (24 pay periods). 
  • ~46 holidays per year including 3 floating holidays and the month of July; 10 vacation days in year one (with increases based on length of employment); up to 10 sick days per year; additional paid leave options for bereavement, compassion leave, parental leave, and more.  
  • Other benefits include medical, HSA option, dental, vision, life insurance and annual professional development fund. 

To Apply 

Applications are welcomed from a broad range of applicants. Send letter of interest and resume to HR@achievetwincities.org. Please indicate in your cover letter the skills and background that make you a good fit for the MPS Contract Alternative Program location or the SPPS Washington Technology Magnet High School location. Priority will be given to applications received by Wednesday, November 20, 2024. Position open until filled.

Achieve Twin Cities is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer 


About Achieve Twin Cities   

Achieve Twin Cities rallies community support and delivers best-in-class programs to inspire and equip young people in Minneapolis and Saint Paul for careers, college and life. Our vision is that all young people have full and equitable access to postsecondary education and career opportunities, creating a more just and vibrant community. We direct career and college readiness services in 27 Minneapolis Public Schools and Saint Paul Public Schools high schools; connect students with career exploration opportunities and paid summer internships through the Step Up Youth Employment Program (with the City of Minneapolis); host education-focused community engagement events; and serve as the nonprofit foundation for Minneapolis Public Schools. Learn more at www.achievetwincities.org.    

Our Commitment to Equity   

Achieve Twin Cities is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer that is committed to hiring talented individuals who are passionate about our mission and represent the diverse identities of the communities we serve. We acknowledge and honor the fundamental value and dignity of all persons. We do not tolerate discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, culture, religion, ability, veteran status, national origin, age, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, class, or any other applicable legally protected characteristics. We seek to build a staff that is reflective of the students we serve and our values of equity and inclusion to embrace differences, eliminate racism and other forms of bias, and create an inclusive workplace where all employees feel valued, heard and respected.   

Applicants’ Rights under Federal Employment Laws