Development Coordinator

Organization Overview

Founded in 2011, St. James School is a unique faith-based middle school in the Episcopal tradition, serving under-resourced students from the Allegheny-West neighborhood of North Philadelphia. The school serves students and families who are most in need, providing a full scholarship to every student. Students benefit from small class sizes, an extended day, robust art and music programs, extensive social-emotional support, and a comprehensive High School Placement and Graduate Support Program. St. James School is committed to the work of racial equity. Learn more at: www.stjamesphila.org

Graduate Support

The mission of the Graduate Support program is to provide St. James graduates with a network of academic, social, emotional, spiritual, financial, and college-oriented support throughout their high school and post-secondary educational journey. The goal of Graduate Support is to ensure that students continue their educational advancement, fulfill their potential, and achieve productive roles in society. We set high expectations and provide high levels of support for our graduates and families.

It is our goal that all St. James graduates will pursue the post-secondary education or training that best matches their skills and passion, whether that be at a four-year college, community college, or vocational/technical school.

The individual will work directly with high school and college-aged students as well as work on organizational tasks necessary for the department to achieve its mission. Examples of tasks include the following as well as a wide variety of special projects as assigned by the Director of Graduate Support.

Workforce Development Coordinator

The Workforce Development Coordinator is a new position and is responsible for leading all employment programming for St. James School graduates including, but not limited to, Woodshop Apprenticeship Program, summer jobs for high schoolers, Pre-Apprenticeships, entrepreneurship endeavors, vital records and more.

Woodshop Apprenticeship Program

• Manage all aspects and operations of Woodshop Apprenticeship program
• Train new apprentices 
• Lead team in curriculum development and progression
• Organize and lead online and in-person sales
• Manage apprenticeship program budget

Summer Jobs

• Assist high schoolers with searching, applying and fulfilling summer jobs
• Help students obtain necessary vital records including: birth certificates, social security cards, state IDs, etc.
• Recruit local business employment partners

Pre-Apprenticeship Program

• Lead all aspects and operations of Pre-Apprenticeship program
• Recruit job partners and deliver clear and informative training 
• Recruit and train student workers 
• Create and execute evaluation and accountability system for participants and employers

Community Engagement

• Partner with Ridge, Allegheny, Hunting Park Civic Association (RAH) to deliver work opportunities for St. James graduates
• Work with local real estate developers to take advantage of work opportunities provided by new projects in the neighborhood
• Liaison with Temple Lenfest North Philadelphia Workforce Initiative
• Work closely with Adult Education Program via Welcome Table to integrate services for St. James graduates

Post-College Career Counseling

• Establish working relationships with career counseling offices of post-secondary institutions
• Work with college students to help plan post-graduation employment

Qualities

• Creativity - Ability to imagine and execute new and out-of-the-box solutions, programs and communication strategies for stakeholders without necessarily being prompted by a supervisor.
• Urgency - Our work is timely and important. Fast and immediate action is often required to provide the high expectations and high levels of support necessary for our students to succeed.
• Flexibility - The nature of our work is unpredictable. We meet students and families where they are and wherever they go. Graduate Support professionals must be comfortable dealing with an infinite range of challenges, situations and obstacles. They must also be comfortable having critical and difficult conversations with students, families and partners.

Graduate Support professionals must be highly functional and independent self-starters with a propensity for social justice, compassion and a willingness to go above and beyond their job description. Candidates of color are especially encouraged to apply.

Graduate Support staff will sometimes be expected to work outside normal business hours.