KIPP Forward Counselor (Postsecondary Match)

KIPP SoCal Public Schools; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 31,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare premium covered

Life insurance

401(k) match

Voluntary benefits

Flexible spending account

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Job summary

KIPP SoCal Public Schools is seeking an Alumni Support & Advising professional based in Los Angeles to guide 11th and 12th grade alumni through college and career planning. You will build strong relationships with students and families, deliver personalized advising, and support high school-to-postsecondary success.

The role requires travel to school sites, evening/weekend availability, and collaboration with regional teams, with a focus on equity and student outcomes.

Qualifications

• Commitment to educational equity and KIPP SoCal’s mission.
• Bachelor's degree and at least 1 year direct advising to high school students.
• Willingness to travel to Los Angeles area schools and to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends.

Responsibilities

• Provide individualized college and career advising to KIPP SoCal alumni in 11th and 12th grade.
• Guide students through career exploration using assessments and tools.
• Build trusting relationships with students and families to support college and career planning.
• Maintain ongoing communication via calls, texts, emails, virtual meetings, and in-person check-ins.
• Review and provide feedback on college applications, essays, and resumes.
• Deliver advising in multiple settings: 1:1, small groups, and classroom presentations.
• Enter and update student data to track engagement and milestones.
• Analyze data trends to inform interventions and outreach strategies.
• Support collaboration with regional teams to ensure aligned services.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Oral/written communication

Flexibility

Travel to school sites

Evenings/weekends availability

Education

Bachelor's degree

1+ year advising high school students

Job description

Who We Are

KIPP SoCal Public Schools is a nonprofit organization that operates 20 tuition‑free, open‑enrollment charter public schools, within 17 Local Education Agencies (LEA), educating more than 10,000 students and supporting 8,300 alumni to and through college and beyond. Our award winning schools are part of the national KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program) network, dedicated to meeting the needs of all learners and providing the social, emotional and academic support for success in high school, college, and life.

Mission

Together with families and communities, we create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose—college, career and beyond—so they can lead fulfilling lives and create a more just world.

What We Do

At KIPP SoCal we build trusting relationships that are strengthened by high expectations and collaboration alongside laughter and joy. We set ambitious goals and hold each other accountable for students achieving their greatest potential. We work together with each other and in partnership with families and communities in the active pursuit of a more equitable world. We do the right thing, even when it's not always comfortable standing up and speaking out against anti‑blackness, racism, oppression, and injustice. We persevere through obstacles and treat failure as an opportunity to learn and grow.

The KIPP Forward program is designed to assist KIPP SoCal students & alumni from middle school, high school, and beyond. Through advising, programming, and resources, our program supports students & alumni as they navigate each stage of their educational journey toward their chosen career path. In 2024‑2025, the KIPP Forward team supported over 2,100 middle school students and 8,500 high school and college‑aged alumni.

The KIPP Forward Counselors specializing in Postsecondary Match support KIPP SoCal alumni in high school as they explore, identify, and matriculate to a postsecondary path. Through individual outreach and collaboration with high schools, KIPP Forward Counselors provide advising, programming, and hands‑on application support to alumni throughout the region.

This role is LA‑based and will work with 11th & 12th grade alums.

Alumni Support & Advising

• Provide individualized college and career advising to a caseload of KIPP SoCal alumni currently enrolled in 11th and 12th grade.
• Guide students through career exploration using tools such as career assessments
• Build strong, trusting relationships with students and their families to support their college & career planning
• Maintain consistent communication with students through calls, texts, emails, virtual meetings, and in‑person check‑ins
• Review and provide detailed feedback on college application materials, including personal statements, supplemental essays, and resumes
• Deliver advising in various settings: one‑on‑one (virtual or in‑person), small group workshops, and high school classroom presentations

Data Management & Strategic Advising

• Enter and update student data weekly on the KIPP Alumni Database to track engagement and college planning milestones
• Analyze trends in student data to inform interventions, advising strategies, and prioritize outreach
• Help students build balanced and personalized college lists using KIPP data tools, aligning with academic fit, financial aid eligibility, and career goals
• Stay informed on college access trends, financial aid updates, and postsecondary program options; share relevant findings and recommend strategies for student success

Project and Relationship Management

• Collaborate closely with KIPP Forward teammates supporting students at the middle school and postsecondary level to ensure aligned services
• Attend and support regional KIPP SoCal and KIPP Forward events such as career events, family workshops, and alumni gatherings
• Establish and maintain strong working relationships with high school counselors, college access partners, and local community organizations on behalf of KIPP Forward

You’ll be qualified if you have

• Unquestioned commitment to educational equity, youth, and KIPP SoCal’s mission
• Bachelor’s degree and at least one year experience providing direct advising to high school students
• Familiarity with the challenges and opportunities for first‑generation college students
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills, and the ability to connect authentically with people from diverse backgrounds
• Flexibility and a solution‑oriented mindset
• Ability and willingness to travel to school sites within Los Angeles
• Flexibility to work evening hours and weekends as necessary

Compensation And Benefits

• Hourly rate for this role ranges from $27.00-$27.50 per hour. This is a full‑time, non‑exempt role
• 100% of healthcare premium costs covered by employer, dependents added at 50% of cost
• KIPP SoCal life insurance
• 401(k) plan with up to 6% match by KIPP SoCal
• Voluntary Benefits (Supplemental Life, Accident, Short Term Disability, etc.)
• Other great benefits (Flexible spending account, EAP, etc.)

KIPP SoCal Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation/gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

KIPP SoCal strives to ensure that our careers website is accessible to all, including individuals with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process due to a disability, please contact us. You can find our contact information on our website, http://www.kippsocal.org/. Information will be sent to a talent acquisition representative who will provide assistance to ensure appropriate consideration in the hiring process.

By submitting this application, I certify that all information I have provided — in this application and in any related materials, including my resume, cover letter, and interview responses — is true, complete, and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I understand that KIPP SoCal Public Schools relies on this information in making hiring decisions. I acknowledge that any misrepresentation, falsification, or material omission may result in rescission of an offer of employment or, if I have already been hired, termination of employment, regardless of when the inaccuracy is discovered.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.