Student Success Navigator - GEAR UP

Oklahoma City Public Schools; Oklahoma City (OK); On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Oklahoma City Public Schools seeks a College Coach to coordinate college and career readiness initiatives under the GEAR UP program. You will work with school personnel, families, and community partners to design and implement strategies that promote graduation and postsecondary pathways.

The role involves organizing college visits, career exploration events, and academic planning sessions, with a strong emphasis on outreach to students and families across OKC.

Qualifications

• Requires collaboration with GEAR UP staff, families, and school counselors to support college and career readiness.
• Experience coordinating college visits, career exploration events, and workshops for students and families.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate college and career readiness initiatives as part of the GEAR UP program.
• Plan and facilitate college readiness initiatives, including college visits and career forums.
• Collaborate with school staff and community partners to promote student achievement and postsecondary pathways.
• Maintain communication with students, families, educators, and community partners.

Skills

Community partnerships

Student engagement

College readiness

Academic planning

Event coordination

Education

Associate degree or higher

Experience with adolescents

Tools

MS Office

CRM tools

Job description

Position Summary

In collaboration with the GEAR UP team, school personnel, and parent/community-based organizations, College Coaches coordinate college and career readiness initiatives that support the overall goals of the GEAR UP program. These may include college visits, career exploration events, academic planning sessions, and workshops that help students and families navigate postsecondary pathways. Through strong relationships with students, families, school staff, and community service providers, College Coaches implement individualized strategies to promote school success, post-secondary pathways, and meaningful classroom engagement.

• A Federal or private categorical grant funds this position. Continuation of the position is dependent upon the continuation and availability of the grant funding.

Position Summary

In collaboration with the GEAR UP team, school personnel, and parent/community-based organizations, College Coaches coordinate college and career readiness initiatives that support the overall goals of the GEAR UP program. These may include college visits, career exploration events, academic planning sessions, and workshops that help students and families navigate postsecondary pathways. Through strong relationships with students, families, school staff, and community service providers, College Coaches implement individualized strategies to promote school success, post-secondary pathways, and meaningful classroom engagement.

• A Federal or private categorical grant funds this position. Continuation of the position is dependent upon the continuation and availability of the grant funding.

Possible Assignment Locations:

Jefferson MS, John Marshall MS, Mary Golda Ross MS, F.D. Moon/Rogers MS, Roosevelt MS, Skyline MS, Southeast MS, Taft MS, or Webster MS

Essential Duties

• Great Teaching & Learning (Instructional Infrastructure):
• Utilize the Check & Connect Student Engagement Intervention Model to provide targeted support for a caseload of students.
• Coordinate with GEAR UP staff, families, and school counselors to ensure completion of key transition steps, including applications, financial aid, and career exploration.
• Collaborate with GEAR UP staff and school personnel to plan and facilitate college readiness initiatives (e.g., college visits, career forums) that promote student achievement.
• Guide students through individualized success planning focused on graduation and postsecondary pathways.
• Assist with enrollment in postsecondary opportunities such as dual enrollment, AP courses, concurrent college classes, and career programs.
• Promote consistent attendance and active engagement in school and GEAR UP activities, especially among students at risk of falling behind.
• Great People (Talent Management):
• Partner with school staff and community organizations to deliver family-focused events (e.g., Family College Nights, academic workshops) that enhance college and career readiness.
• Connect families with school and community resources that remove barriers to student success.
• Offer flexible service delivery during evenings, weekends, and summer sessions to accommodate family availability.
• Great Culture (Systems Leaders):
• Maintain clear and consistent communication with students, families, educators, school leaders, and community partners.
• Ensure all external communications align with the organization's mission and values.
• Foster strong relationships with stakeholders and keep them informed and engaged in program activities.
• Support team members during peak periods or when additional capacity is needed to meet program goals.
• Perform other duties as assigned to enhance the overall effectiveness of the GEAR UP program.
• Coordinate with school staff to administer annual GEAR UP student assessments and surveys.
• Great Systems (Support & Accountability):
• Complete assigned tasks in alignment with project plans and timelines.
• Participate in regular updates, reports, and status meetings.
• Monitor student progress using indicators such as attendance, academic performance, and engagement.
• Use data to inform and adjust intervention strategies for improved outcomes.
• Maintain accurate documentation and contribute to grant reporting requirements.

Job Specifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills And/or Abilities)

• An Associate's degree or higher in education or a human service field, or a minimum of 48 hours of successful college coursework.
• Experience working with adolescents in youth agencies, social services, college access programs, and/or school systems.
• Strong organizational and coordination skills
• Must be persistent and have the belief that all children can succeed in college with appropriate support.
• Ability to assist families from diverse backgrounds in supporting their students using a strengths-based, non-blaming approach.
• Excellent advocacy skills, including the ability to negotiate, compromise, and professionally navigate conflict constructively and productively.
• Strong organizational skills, flexibility, and the ability to work independently in a variety of settings.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Strong technology skills and the ability to apply technology to enhance program effectiveness.
• Ability to build and maintain partnerships and collaborate with a team of professionals to seek the best outcome for students.
• A minimum of three years of experience in a related field

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills And/or Abilities)

• Bilingual - English and Spanish
• Relevant experience may be substituted for formal education at a 2:1 ratio. Therefore for every 1 year of college lacking, 2 years of directly relevant experience may be substituted.

Physical/Mental Requirements

• Must have adequate manual dexterity to write legibly and perform required duties on a computer.
• Must have adequate visual acuity to read, interpret and transcribe written material and other required duties.
• Requires normal range of hearing and clear speaking abilities to interact appropriately with others in person and on the telephone.
• Requires some stooping, bending, stretching and occasional lifting not to exceed 25 pounds.
• Sitting for prolonged periods of time.
• May periodically require work outside of normal business hours, including weekends, under sometimes stressful conditions in order to meet business needs and strict deadlines.

Work Environment

• Office duties will be performed in a well-lighted, climate-controlled environment.
• Will require time in office, as well as external meeting locations with community partners or schools throughout the OKC metro area.
• May require participation in meetings and activities outside of normal business hours, including weekends and holidays.
• May be required to work overtime and weekends and holidays.
• Able to bend and stoop, lift 25lbs, stand and/or sit for extended periods of time.

Reports To:

Project Coordinator - GEAR UP

FSLA Status:

Exempt

Compensation:

Schedule 817, step is dependent upon experience and project funding

Work Days:

181 days, 7 hours per day

FTE:

100

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. The employee will also perform other reasonably related business duties as assigned by the supervisor or appropriate administrator. Oklahoma City Public Schools reserves the right to, update, revise or change job duties as the need prevails. This document is for communication only and not intended to imply a written or implied contract of employment. The Board of Education and Superintendent may approve alternatives to the listed qualifications.