Philosophy

Phoenix Charter Academy's mission is to challenge young people in our area with an academically rigorous and individually tailored curriculum. Phoenix scholars who have not succeeded in other schools will have the support, resources and training needed to succeed academically in high school and college, and become economically secure in their future. Phoenix Charter Academy is named after a mythological figure of strength, healing and renewal.

Phoenix schools challenge resilient, disconnected young people with rigorous academics and relentless supports, so they take ownership of their futures and succeed in high school, college, and as self-sufficient adults.

Role Summary

The Manager, College and Career Success, is a critical member of the Phoenix school-based team. This role is key in facilitating a robust college and career preparation program that supports scholar growth and access to opportunity as they progress to-and-through college.

The College and Career Success position is an exciting opportunity for an innovative, organized self-starter to collaborate with staff and administration in order to provide scholars with college and career programming intended to increase awareness and participation in the areas of college and career readiness, access, and persistence.

Leadership Commitments

All leaders model the core values and mission of Phoenix Charter Academy in every piece of their work and at all times. In order to be successful, all leaders must be innovative, relentless, humble and communicative with all members of the Phoenix Charter Academy community. Further, leaders should have a strong desire to take ownership of various projects and should possess an entrepreneurial spirit.

Qualities of a Phoenix staff member:

• Unwavering Belief in Phoenix Scholars - Phoenix staff operate with the deeply held belief that all young people want to and can succeed even in the face of what can seem like insurmountable barriers and societal constraints.

• Ability to Put Scholars First - Phoenix staff go above and beyond to ensure mastery of the skills and development of positive self-identity that will ensure success for college, careers and beyond.  Phoenix staff find every opportunity to engage in teaching and learning with scholars, using conflict to build supportive relationships with scholars and never taking things personally.

• Eager to Learn Under Pressure - Phoenix staff must be able to learn as they go in a fast paced, ever evolving, urgent environment. They have the desire to receive direct feedback and the ability to implement the feedback into practice quickly.

• Humility - Phoenix staff approach problem solving with curiosity and desire to understand the perspectives of others.  They carry an internalized sense of “I can always learn more” from others, and know that adults at Phoenix must model the qualities of being open-minded and willing to make mistakes and learn from them.

• Experience with Low Income Communities -  Staff have the proven ability to work across cultures and experience serving low-income communities and/or academically-disconnected adolescents.

• Ability to Find Inspiration In the Small Things - In the face of challenge and hard work,  Phoenix staff must have the ability to find humor, inspiration, success and joy in the day to day interactions with scholars and the larger Phoenix Community.

• Personal Commitment to Cultural Proficiency and Ongoing Development - Phoenix staff are ongoing learners about diversity, equity and inclusion and seek to understand the ways that their self-identity and experiences impacts and interacts with their daily work, colleagues and scholars.

Specific Responsibilities

This is an exciting new position that requires an individual who has demonstrated ability to design new partnerships, programming and structures and the corresponding skills and excitement of staff and scholars.  The individual leading this scope of work, must be able to work across constituents to design and launch new programming that is aligned to the school’s strategic direction.

Expand programming for increased scholar success

• Assist the Leadership Team in implementing 1, 3 and  5 year vision for College and Career Success at Phoenix Academy
• Work in partnership with Head of School and Director of Curriculum and Instruction to cultivate and expand working relationship with Bunker Hill Community College, as aligned with Phoenix Chelsea Academy’s future programming
• Build and manage multiple partnerships with community colleges and other post secondary transition programs to expand Phoenix’s support programming for scholars post graduation
• Work with staff overseeing scholar onboarding and advisory to ensure that college and career planning begins on Day 1 at Phoenix
• Develop specialty knowledge about college and career pathways for scholars with non-traditional high school backgrounds
• Expand Phoenix’s career exploration by piloting internship opportunities for scholars
• Support advisory units specific to college and career exploration as needed
• Serve as a member on Phoenix network college and career planning team

Oversee College, Career and Transition Support

• Oversee the successful implementation and completion of the College and Career graduation milestones for all scholars
• Oversee and track the senior graduation portfolio and coordinate across staff in support of scholars
• Oversee core aspects of the dual enrollment program at Bunker Hill Community College
• Audit and approve senior transcripts
• Assist near graduates in college applications, financial aid, registration, and other necessary steps for graduating scholars (FAFSA, EITC, etc.)
• Track and document the academic progress of scholars nearing graduation and, with the Student Success Team, arrange for support when necessary
• Maintain regular communication with outside agencies, colleges, and any other parties involved in the lives of graduating scholars and alumni
• Maintain regular communication with teachers of seniors
• Plan graduation events and senior activities, including but not limited to: Prom, Student Events Committee, Senior Trip, Senior banquet, Senior Meetings, Adult Support Meetings
• Be knowledgeable of all work to vertically align scholarly habits to ensure greater college persistence (increase college persistence by 10%); be knowledgeable of accountability plan college persistence goals
• Assist all graduates in matriculation including filling out paperwork, financial aid, registration, and attending necessary orientations
• Provide on-campus support to alumni and assist in connecting to any necessary services and plan alumni engagement activities
• Co-develop and pursue a professional growth plan including membership in local and national college access organizations and a school counselor license

Qualifications

• Deep belief in the mission of Phoenix Charter Academy Network
• Bachelor’s Degree required; Master’s degree preferred
• 2-3 years of teaching or college access experience preferred
• 3 plus years experience in post secondary transition services
• A commitment to providing equity and access for all scholars in an educational setting
• Experience designing, launching and managing new programs a must
• Experience leading or coordinating a team
• Demonstrated success building new partnerships
• Model strong judgement and decision-making
• Detail-oriented with superb follow-through
• Proven record of successfully taking initiative
• Growth-oriented mindset: a desire to learn and grow as a professional

**It is understood that this Job Description is a summary of the primary duties and responsibilities of the position. It is not intended to be a complete and total description of each and every duty and responsibility. As such, this job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. He or she will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other duties requested by his or her supervisor.

It is also understood that the Network retains the right to modify this Job Description at any time, for any reason, at the Network’s sole discretion**

We seek a diverse workforce. Phoenix Charter Academy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Phoenix Charter Academy is committed to providing equal opportunity to staff and applicants in all areas of employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status, or any other area protected by federal, state or local law. Phoenix Charter Academy is committed to making any reasonable accommodation necessary to support an individual's employment