Achievement Coach

DETAILS

POSITION OVERVIEW

Reality Changers’ youth programs build first-generation college students by offering tutoring and mentoring resources to support the college readiness, academic preparedness, and leadership development of 8th- to 12th-grade participants.

The Achievement Coach is responsible for holding all participating students to the program’s high standards in an encouraging manner. The Achievement Coach role has a dual function– supporting headquarters students meanwhile challenging them to strive to meet their highest potential. The program sees each student holistically – not only working to help a student meet their academic goals, but their personal goals as well. The Achievement Coach works with students in the 8th – 11th grades.

The Achievement Coach leads both group and individual coaching for their student cohort in College Town. Coaches drive the academic and interpersonal skills development of their students using study room time, school visits, home visits, one-on-one mentoring, and community service. The Achievement Coach must be a relationship-oriented leader who is able to execute programs and services that support 8th- 11th-grade participants to achieve in the following key areas: 1) Academics; 2) College Knowledge; and 3) Leadership.

BENCHMARKS / GOALS / MEASURES OF SUCCESS:

• High engagement and 80% retention of students in programs and events, in accordance with team goals and metrics.
• Student improvement in academics, personal development, and performance on program and grade level benchmarks.
• Completion of accountability and interaction trackers at established baselines.
• Participate in cross-team collaboration to strengthen the alignment of 8th – 11th grade programs and curriculum and support the organization’s outreach and development efforts.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

An incumbent performs the essential functions shown below. This position description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, knowledge, or abilities associated with this classification, but is intended to accurately reflect the principal job elements.

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Provide Personal and Academic Support to Students:

• Provide continuous encouragement to students from low-income and underserved backgrounds via home visits, school visits, communication with teachers/counselors, regular student check-ins, etc.
• Track grades for all students in their grade level and pay special attention to students whose grades stand or fall below a 3.0 GPA.
• Identify the barriers, obstacles, or reasons for academic underachievement, and based on these reasons, develop a personalized plan that will help lower-performing students perform at Reality Changers’ academic expectations.
• Follow up with students to evaluate the effectiveness of personal plans of action; conduct regular communications (phone, email, etc.) with students to inform them of upcoming events, opportunities, and/or students’ performance/progress.
• Plan and execute student activities during school breaks and weekends to help build strong relationships that inspire and encourage their participation in the College Town program.
• With the College Town Manager, develop meaningful experiences to keep students on track to apply to college and to continually engage in programming.

2. Conduct Outreach on Program and School Sites:

• Serve as a representative of Reality Changers by maintaining a positive and consistent presence on our middle and high school sites and attend outreach events as scheduled by the College Town Manager.
• Plan, coordinate, and participate in the program’s annual 8th-grade challenge assemblies designed to inspire and recruit new students into the program.
• Collaborate effectively with parents, guardians, teachers, school administrators, and other community resources to solve student challenges.
• Work regularly with the Family Coordinator and Volunteer Manager to ensure students’ and families’ needs are being met with the resources Reality Changers has access to.

3. Instruction and Academic Counseling for Students in Cohort:

• Deliver group presentations based on Reality Changers curriculum and newly developed content.
• Lead designated study room each program evening, creating a feeling of family and cohesiveness with the
  students and tutors assigned to the room.
• Lead participation in Reality Changers standard study room activities, namely check-ins, declaration of purpose, and meaningful study time.
  Connect and get to know tutors assigned to the designated study room to identify and help them foster relationships with the students so the students accept the support.
• Work with students to develop competitive scholarship applications, as available, that best reflect their stories, talents, and abilities.
• Connect with students’ teachers and counselors to establish a network of support for each student, developing a plan for academic success.
• Help students plan for and pass required courses (A-G requirements) and strategically select a high school course of study based on their goals.

4. Program Operations and Administration:

• Deliver team-based curriculum to students and provide constructive feedback to the College Town team.
• Maintain excellent up-to-date student records and assist with ongoing student data collection, meeting all deadlines and baseline requirements.
• Take direction from the Senior Vice President and the College Town Program Manager for the completion of daily operational tasks, which ensure program excellence.
• Participate in Reality Changers’ special events, such as (but not limited to) summer leadership camp, College Fest, speech tournaments, Career Exploration Week, Scholar Celebration, and more.
• Register as a van driver for program event attendance/student transportation needs.
• Perform other duties as needed.

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four-year college or university is highly preferred and significant alternative experience is considered if degree is not achieved.
• Fluency in Spanish is preferred.
• Prior work with young adults is required.
• Social Work-oriented skillset highly desired.
• Significant experience with public speaking and facilitation is required.
• Collegiate assessment will be considered (and expected to be exemplary) if work experience is limited.
• Passion for social change and a demonstrated ability to engage others compellingly is preferred (education experience an asset).
• Exhibited commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and experience in executing programs/initiatives aligned to DEI.

KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS / ABILITIES

• Strong written and verbal and communication skills, as well as presentation skills, organization skills, and computer skills.
• Proficiency in a second language is a plus (Spanish).
• Positive and professional attitude and ability to work as a team player, welcoming feedback, and contributing to the team spirit.
• Ability to relate well, engage, and motivate various types of people, especially students of different backgrounds and cultures.
• Resourceful, self-motivated, and energetic; able to work independently and demonstrate initiative.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive and effective working relationships with others.
• Exceptional organization skills and dedication to detail, with experience managing multiple deadlines with an outcomes-oriented approach in order to meet deadlines.
• Excellent time management skills and ability to adapt to different circumstances in order to still meet goals.
• Must be highly adaptive, versatile, and responsible, even when confronted with ambiguity or tense situations.
• Entrepreneurial approach; demonstrates a growth mindset and ability to take a concept from ideation to execution.
• Willingness to take initiative and do what is necessary to complete the job.
• Strong attention to detail and excellent follow-through.
• Strong administrative skills.
• Knowledge and proficiency in Microsoft Office, G Suite, Zoom, and email systems. Experience in Salesforce is a plus.

ADDITIONAL EXPECTATIONS

• Represent Reality Changers in a positive manner in all public and private settings.
• Set the standard of being an exemplary and effective Reality Changers culture carrier.
• Instill a sense of empowerment in the students to uphold Reality Changers’ expectations of them e.g. such as turning in homework.
• Provide positive encouragement to staff, students and instructors in all public and private settings.
• Exemplify commitment to Reality Changers’ ethics, mission and values.

TRAVEL / HOURS

• Frequent travel within San Diego will be expected.
• Regular weekend and evening work will be expected.
• A 4/10 schedule is required (M-Thu)

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

• A valid driver’s license and reliable transportation to and from site location(s), Reality Changers’ headquarters, and related events.
• Will be required to drive students frequently using either personal or company vehicles.
• Clear Tuberculosis Test (TB) or ability to obtain medical clearance.
• A job offer of employment is contingent upon completion of our pre-employment screening process.

SALARY / BENEFITS

As a candidate for this position, starting salary and related elements of compensation will be contingent upon work experience, education, job-related skills, and any other factors Reality Changers considers relevant factors to the hiring decisions for this position. This non-exempt position is eligible for appointment at $26.44 hourly.

Benefits for this position include a 403(b) plan, medical, dental and vision coverage, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, pet insurance, paid holidays, 10 days paid sick leave, paid parental leave, one paid week off in July for annual office closure, and unlimited flexible paid time off.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets. Staff will be assigned and required to use a company laptop for work use.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This job requires the ability to sit, use hands and arms to perform repetitive motions including a significant amount of walking, climbing stairs, and frequently moving spaces each day. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus. It requires moderate dexterity, application of basic skills (calculator, keyboard, hand-eye coordination, etc.) and the ability to bend or stand as necessary.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

At Reality Changers, we believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion (D.E.I.) are connected to our mission and critical to the well-being of our staff and our community. In 2021, we were recognized as an “Outstanding Organization for Diversity & Inclusion” by the Association of Fundraising Professionals San Diego Chapter.

Reality Changers serves first-generation youth from low-income backgrounds and from groups who are traditionally under-represented on college campuses—such as Black, Latinx, Indigenous, LGBT+, Immigrant and/or Undocumented communities. Because we believe that these communities must be centered in the work we do, we strongly encourage applications from people with these identities and/or backgrounds.

TO APPLY

To apply, please submit the following to jobs@realitychangers.org by May 16, 20254:

• A thoughtful cover letter outlining your interest in the position and how your qualifications align with the nabove requirements and Reality Changers’ focus and mission.
• Current resume

This non-exempt position is eligible for appointment at $26.44 hourly.

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible as interviews will be scheduled on a rolling basis. The anticipated start date is June 2025.

Applicants who identify as first-generation college students/graduates are especially encouraged to apply.

Please note:

• No phone calls.
• Relocation is not available.
• All prospective staff will be fingerprinted and must pass a TB and criminal background check.

For more information, please visit www.realitychangers.org