School & Community Engagement Coordinator

At Summer Search, we believe in 'No Ceilings'. We envision a world in which young people, regardless of circumstances, can chart their own destiny.

In the United States, students from underserved communities – disproportionately BIPOC and first-generation – face systemic inequities in school, in the workforce, and in life. Nevertheless, these young people possess unique strengths, resilience, and limitless potential. Since 1990, Summer Search has partnered with young people during their transition from adolescence into adulthood by connecting them to expansive opportunities, professional mentoring, and a community of support. Summer Searchers recognize their potential and build a toolkit to navigate and challenge systemic barriers, break new ground for their families and communities, and achieve economic equity and a life of purpose.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The School and Community Engagement Coordinator plays an integral role in achieving Summer Search Seattle’s student recruitment goals. This hire will support a small caseload of students in addition to coordinating the annual outreach season and serve as the primary point of contact for a designated set of communities. Reporting to the Director of Outreach this position will join a dedicated and collaborative team, as well as help to strengthen Summer Search’s student reach and impact in the Seattle region.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

Execute an effective annual outreach and engagement strategy

• In collaboration with the Director of Outreach, execute against a strategic outreach plan to enroll about 50 new students by March 2024
• Co-Coordinate annual student outreach activities, including presentations, application help sessions, interview days, student events, and school communication, within a designated set of high schools and community-based organizations.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with referral partners at high schools and community based-organizations through timely communications and overall support of partners’ involvement in the process
• Pursue creative ways to broaden knowledge and support of Summer Search in local communities, leveraging staff, school, and community resources to increase Summer Search’s presence and reputation.
• Support Director of Outreach in leading admissions process
• Conduct school presentations for faculty and students, conveying Summer Search’s mission and recruitment messages tailored to the audience.
• Collaborate with High School program staff on organizing student events at scheduled points of the program calendar, including sophomore orientation workshops, the Spring Event, and the Fall Event.
• Manage and/or support special projects as needed.

Student Mentoring and Program Facilitation 

Provide individual 1:1 & Group mentoring to high school students at school, in the office or by phone. 

• Manage a caseload of 20 high school students, building multi-year relationships and conducting regular mentoring at school, in the office or by phone
• Utilize a unique mentoring methodology based upon adolescent social-emotional development, cultural relevance, and critical consciousness. Enable conversations that allow students to reflect upon the impact of identities and social/cultural context on their lives.  
• Hold students accountable to year-round program participation, as well as demonstrating a personal commitment to students that results in a high level of engagement throughout their Summer Search experience.  
• Participate in student recruitment, interviewing and enrollment, as well as planning and attending key milestone events for students and their families throughout the school year, including travel to schools within the region and some evening and weekend events, especially in the spring (all events are currently virtual until further notice). 
• Participate in regular and ongoing training to build job-related skills, knowledge, and capacity e.g. student safety, critical mentoring, social responsibility, efforts to advance Summer Search’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. 

Track and manage student and outreach data

• Track and manage progress against regional metrics and goals (e.g. student nominations, presentation attendance, applications, interviews, etc.).
• Ensure accurate and consistent tracking of outreach and student data in our database.
• Run reports, perform data analysis, and provide data, trends, and progress to staff, donors, and other key stakeholders.

WHO YOU ARE

• You have at least 2 years of professional experience at a youth development, educational, or other social service organization, ideally serving culturally diverse and low-income communities. Ability to build and manage trusting relationships with internal and external stakeholders (e.g. staff, students, schools, community-based organizations, families.)
• PROJECT MANAGEMENT: You take initiative to create systems and structures to achieve goals and objectives. You succeed at managing multiple workstreams and motivating, coordinating, and directing others to stay on track.
• COMMUNICATIONS EFFECTIVENESS: You are an active listener and thoughtful and strategic when conveying feedback, sharing ideas, or responding to inquiries to various audiences in multiple formats.
• ACCOUNTABILITY: You hold yourself and others responsible for processes, decisions, actions, and commitments to results to drive high quality outcomes. You're responsive to the needs of stakeholders and follow through on commitments.
• TECHNOLOGY SKILLS: Data management and/or analysis experience, including command of Microsoft Excel/Office applications. Experience with CRM, preferably Salesforce database operations.

In addition, all Summer Search staff bring a commitment to our mission of unleashing students’ potential through mentoring and transformative experiences, as well as the ability to thrive in an environment that values excellence, gratitude, well-being, diversity, authenticity, and collaboration.  

LOCATION AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

This is a hybrid position with expectations to sometimes meet in the office in Tukwila, WA near South Center mall. Regular travel is required to partner schools in the South King County area. This hire must possess a valid driver’s license.