Director of Post-Secondary Placement

About Mastery:

We believe educational inequity is the most pressing social problem facing our country and the civil rights issue of our day. Mastery exists to help solve this problem. Our ultimate goal is to create a model urban school district that serves all students with excellence. We are organized around one driving mission: All students learn the academic and personal skills they need to be truly prepared for postsecondary success and able to pursue their dreams. To fulfill this mission, we attend to the whole child â€" academically and emotionally â€" matching high expectations for students with high levels of support.

Mastery Charter Schools is a nonprofit network of more than 24 schools serving over 14,000 students in Philadelphia and Camden. We are the largest turnaround school operator in the nation and have been lauded by President Obama and the US Department of Education for our ability to dramatically boost academic achievement in historically low-performing schools.

We know neighborhood schools matter, all students deserve access to a great education, and the people in our buildings can grow and develop sustainably to make the biggest impact possible in this work.

Mastery's Equity Vision:

We believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential to achieving our mission.

We strive to be an anti-racist school district that eliminates the inequities in academic achievement that limit our students’ choices; that cultivates classrooms where every student is affirmed, supported, and held to high expectations; and that nurtures a diverse organization where students, staff, and families are valued, respected, and included .

Position Summary:

The Director of Postsecondary Placement (DPP) leads Mastery’s efforts in developing and overseeing advisement and placement practices - ensuring our students are placed at their chosen postsecondary educational institution or vocation, upon graduation. Additionally, the DPP is responsible for supporting the school-based College Teams (College Advisors and Coordinators) at our Mastery high schools, who provide students with the college and career preparation and advice necessary to set them on a path to postsecondary success. This role develops and oversees the three (3) year-long seminar courses and the Internship program.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support College Teams Across All Secondary Campuses
• Support 12th grade College Advisors including postsecondary advising and the placement process
• Manage and improve the current process to increase best-fit placement and First Fall Direct Enrollment
• Participate in the development and implementation of a differentiated 12th grade experience based on multiple postsecondary pathway
• Support 11th grade College Coordinators
• Manage a Junior Seminar course where students explore postsecondary options
• Improve the postsecondary list creation of Mastery Juniors
• Ensure best practice utilization in preparing students for the SAT and other standardized tests
• Collect and analyze student performance data; intervene and redirect when program is not effective
• Communicate progress and outcomes to central office team and school administrations
• Coordinates with the Talent Team, while serving as point-person for Mastery’s prescribed hiring process for school-based roles
• Develop and deliver relevant professional development for school-based staff

Qualifications:

• Excellent Management Skills: Manage a team effectively and support team members to grow professionally
• Relationship Builder: Able to see the world from the point of view of our constituents, garner buy-in and move the ball forward
• Systems Thinker: Experience developing and monitoring systems, protocols, and trainings
• Analytical Thinker: Able to analyze programs and understand what drives program effectiveness
• Exceptional organization skills â€" a detail-oriented approach to multi-task and meet deadlines under pressure;
• Ability to gather data, compile information and prepare reports as well as analyze data in order to make improvement recommendations
• Excellent communication, public relations, and interpersonal skills both orally and in writing with ability to effectively connect with broad range of constituents
• Comfort and demonstrated ability to successfully facilitate and engage various size groups
• Track-record of high achievement (premium placed on experience in urban communities and schools)
• Personal drive and commitment to serve urban youth
• Deep belief in one’s own ability to significantly increase college going, persistence and graduation rates for Mastery alums
• Ability to effectively work alone and with a high-performing, mission-driven staff
• Demonstrated resilience to persevere and turn challenges into opportunities while meeting aggressive goals despite limited resources
• Ability to be a self-starter and creative problem solver while also being a quick learner who is willing to ask questions and seek feedback

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Minimum of four (4) years of related experience developing, implementing, and managing in a large education, government, or non-profit organization
• At least two (2) years of experience
• Working with urban youth in educational settings in related college access and/or career preparation, strongly preferred
• Working in or with college counseling and career exposure programs, including: college planning, career development, and internships
• Managing teams
• Familiarity with matriculation challenges and other barriers faced by low-income, first-generation college students, a definite plus

Physical/Environmental:

• Ability to physically perform the essential duties of the role, and to work in the environmental conditions required, such as: traveling to network campuses; maneuvering in office spaces (including standing, walking, sitting for long periods of time, speaking loudly and clearly, seeing and hearing things both near and far away); stooping, kneeling, reaching file cabinets/shelves; fine finger and hand manipulation in use of computer, chalkboard, dry erase, &/or projectors; filing, faxing, scanning, coping, typing, mailing, and making phone calls; sitting for up to two (2) hours looking at a computer monitor, using a keyboard/mouse, and typing.

Other Requirements:

• Position requires local travel to Mastery and other sites. Must have access to reliable transportation.

Mastery Charter Schools is an equal opportunity employer and actively encourages applications from people of all backgrounds. Compensation is competitive and commensurate with experience. We offer a full benefits program and opportunities for professional growth.

UPDATE AS OF MARCH 2021 - Please review Mastery’s Back to School Plans here to learn about our response to COVID-19 for the 2020-21 and 2021-22 school years. For ongoing positions, Mastery roles are designated as in-person, with regular on-site responsibilities, unless otherwise noted. As such, Employees must be able to support Mastery Schools’ academic plan and business strategies on-site â€" at a Mastery campus - as required.

Exceptions to this requirement will be considered on an individualized basis.