Academic Advisor And Life Coach - South Campus

JOB TITLE:
Academic Advisor and Life Coach
 
DIVISION:
Charter School
 
REPORTS TO:
Campus Director
 
COMPANY:
Established in 1958, Goodwill Central Texas is a non-profit organization that has transformed thousands of lives through the power of work.  We are the leader in workforce development, one of the largest employers in our region, and a cornerstone of the community.  Our mission is funded through our donation-driven retail stores, comprehensive business and staffing solutions, and generous community support.  Our ten-year vision is to transform the lives of 100,000 Central Texans through work.
 
DIVISION:
The Excel Center for Adults, founded in 2014, is the first free public charter high school in Texas that provides adults ages 18-50 the opportunity to earn their high school diploma, complete an in-demand professional certification, and begin postsecondary education. The Excel Center offers programming that is specific to the adult learner experience such as accelerated academics and flexible scheduling, special programs and resources, and supportive services to help students remove barriers during their educational journey. Currently the Excel Center has two Austin-area campuses that serve both day and evening students and three Justice Education campuses within prisons in Lockhart, Overton, and Diboll, TX.  This Academic Advisor & Life Coach position is based at our South Austin campus, 1901 E. Ben White Blvd.
 
Work. Empower. Transform.
Join the team whose work empowers people to transform their lives.
 
POSITION SUMMARY:
 
The primary role of the Academic Advisor & Life Coach at the Goodwill Excel Center is to promote continued student engagement to the academic setting and provide resources to ensure students are progressing toward graduation.  Responsible for a student caseload that could range between 75-150, the Academic Advisor & Life Coach builds empowering relationships with each student, holding advising sessions, setting academic and career goals, and facilitating ways for students to overcome barriers. The Academic Advisor & Life Coach oversees the scheduling process and assists with building the master schedule.  S/he also serves as expert in graduation plan progression, credit attainment, and entry requirements of postsecondary programs included industry certification programs.
 
 
 
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Guide students toward academic success by managing and monitoring student information (e.g., credits, state testing), developing class schedules, and assisting students in planning for graduation.
2. Document all guidance interventions and scheduling actions in an electronic database in a timely and accurate manner.
3. Coach students from a systemic, trauma-informed model that is strength-focused, student-driven, supportive, and motivating, and that focuses on setting tangible, realistic, and measurable goals.  
4. Work collaboratively with students to develop detailed and regularly updated Personal Graduation and Career Plans to identify career goals and action steps.
5. Work with campus director to build a Master Schedule that meets the needs of students, TEA requirements, and strategic district objectives
6. Support attendance and retention by implementing proactive advising interventions.
7. Collaborate with instructors to develop student individual learning plans based on intake and ongoing benchmark assessments.
8. Intervene proactively and in a positive manner to address student behavioral needs that arise through early- dentification of potential risk factors, collaboration with staff, facilitation of restorative meetings, and encouragement of pro-social and career-ready student behavioral plans.
9. Facilitate transitions with students by moving them efficiently toward graduation via their individualized pathway and coordinating with other school staff to ensure continuum of support pre- and post-graduation. 

 
 
OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
 

1. Provide assistance, proctoring, and support for annual state testing administration.
2. Work collaboratively on Life Coaching District Team.
3. Attend all team and professional meetings.

 
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:
 
This position does not have supervisory responsibilities. 
 
 
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
 

1. Associate degree or two years' experience working with marginalized populations in an educational setting.
2. Valid Driver's License, up to date auto insurance and good driving record.
3. Ability to understand work instructions in English.
4. A framework for understanding socioemotional, behavioral, and educational trends related to providing key student supports in an adult academic setting.
5. A working knowledge of computer programs and internet applications such as Student Information Systems, Microsoft Office Products, Google Applications (Gmail), Excel, and Microsoft Word.
6. Knowledge of community resources.
7. Superior verbal and written communication skills.
8. High organizational skills and an aptitude for detail-oriented tasks.
9. Self-motivation and a willingness to be a team player.
10. Ability to embrace change positively and manage a workload independently. 
11. Ability to gather and analyze data for informed decision making. 
12. Ability to relate to a diverse population.
13. The essential mindset that all students can achieve at high levels.
14. An understanding of marginalization and how it impacts those Goodwill serves and employs.
15. Respect for diversity of thought and ability to advance it in teams/organization.
16. Maturity of practice using the 7 pillars and principles of servant leadership.
17. Ability to pass a background check and complete fingerprinting. 

 
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
 

1. Bachelor's Degree.
2. Experience working with high school age students in urban, non-traditional, and/or adult education setting.
3. Experience working with adult learners.
4. Bilingual in Spanish and English. 

 
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
 
    DOE and qualifications 
 
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or other legally protected status. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing.
 
By signing below, I acknowledge that I have received a copy of this job description for XXXX-XXX.  I further acknowledge that I am able to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.
 
Note: Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
 
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