Uncommon Schools is a nonprofit network of high-performing, public charter schools providing an outstanding K-12 education in historically under-resourced communities. We have proudly built schools that reflect our student population, with more than 60% of our teachers and staff across our network identifying as a person of color. Uncommon currently manages 53 schools serving more than 20,000 students in five cities: Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark and Rochester. We are proud that Uncommon graduates persist in and graduate from college at five times the rate of their peers nationally. We achieve this by offering strong academic, co-curricular, and social-emotional learning that prepares students for success in college and beyond.

Uncommon Schools in Rochester currently manages seven schools serving students in grades K through 12. We believe in strong authentic relationships between teachers and students, supported by effective school systems and an engaging instructional model that enables students to flourish academically and personally. Our students in Rochester have an impressive 98% college acceptance rate.

Uncommon Schools is committed to ensuring that its graduates both enter in and graduate from a college or university. This fulfills our mission of seeing students to and through college, thus closing the achievement gap between low-income students and their wealthier peers. Under the supervision of the Rochester Prep Alumni Success Coach, you will support our high school graduates in achieving their post- secondary goals. As an Alumni Support Retention and Enrollment Specialist, you will focus on providing counseling and programming, identifying the changing needs of alumni and the potential risk factors to their success, connecting alumni to campus or local resources, and increasing student independence in managing their post-secondary plans. You will also work with alumni who may not currently be enrolled in a post-secondary intuition who seek re-enrollment.

Core Duties & Responsibilities

(1) Building & Maintaining Relationships

• Develop a personal, professional relationship with each student who is currently enrolled at local community college
• Use all possible forms of communication to stay in close contact with each student including in-person meetings, e-mail, phone, text messaging, social media, etc. to increase student accountability and success Be occasionally available to students during the evening and weekends to discuss any issues that may arise
• Serves as an additional liaison between Uncommon, its alumni, and college administrators
• Research and meet key individuals (e.g. deans, admissions counselors, financial aid officers, special program directors, EOP officials, R.A.’s, professors, etc.) on assigned campus who will advocate for and support students
• Help connect students to resources on campus including study abroad opportunities, academic help centers, writing centers, advisement offices, mental health offices, etc.
• Contact the parents/families of alumni, when necessary (e.g., after loss of contact, concerned for students’ well-being, etc.)
• Continually try to engage or re-engage unenrolled students to either matriculate to an an institution, CTE, or workforce development program

(2) Counseling & Programming

• Advise students on academic issues including choosing a major, building relationships with professors, study habits, time management, etc.
• Develop an academic and personal success plan with each student currently enrolled at the 2 year college that includes utilizing key campus resources, mapping out assignments, taking note of key dates, and scheduling follow-up meetings
• When appropriate Alumni Success Specialist will assist with transfer process

(3) Administrative & Maintenance

• Maintain an up-to-date record of each interaction, obstacles, and academic progress in the alumni database that pertains to their caseload
• Routinely assess the potential that alumni will either complete their two year degree, or transfer to a four year college based on their academic, personal, and financial risk factors
• Ensure accurate contact information is maintained in database
• Participate in Alumni Support Team professional development, and Rochester Prep High School events and duties as necessary

• Passion for and alignment to the mission of Uncommon Schools
• Demonstrated college knowledge specific to community colleges (e.g., college application process, financial aid process, general college knowledge and policies, etc.)
• Effective public relations and networking abilities
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Self-starter with strong prioritization skills
• Excellent organization, time management, and tenacious follow-up skills; ability to prioritize and demonstrate an appropriate sense of urgency

Educational Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required

Experience Requirements

• 3+ years of professional work experience required
• 2+ or more of direct experience in academic/student support services required
• Experience in higher education or community colleges preferred

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at a time
• Must be able to climb up to 4 flights of stairs while carrying items such as boxes, chart paper or computer

Travel Requirements

• Must be willing to travel via car, bus, train, and/or plane for minimum 8 weeks a semester to visit alumni in Central/ Western NY

Other Requirements

• Fully vaccinated for COVID-19 on or before the first day of work.
• Valid driver’s license
• Personal vehicle for travel (mileage for campus visit travel is reimbursed according to published IRS mileage rates)

Uncommon Schools offers salaries commensurate with experience and a comprehensive benefits package. All staff members receive extensive professional development, and are equipped with a laptop computer and all necessary supplies.

Uncommon believes in the importance of being a diverse, equitable and inclusive organization that enables our students and staff to thrive. We are committed to building an exceptional team that reflects the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our students. We also strive to ensure an inclusive community by creating a space for meaningful dialogue about issues of race and identity for our staff and students. As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or disability. We also ensure that individuals with disabilities receive all privileges and benefits associated with employment and are provided reasonable accommodations for the interview process and to perform core job functions.