Student Success Navigator - GEAR UP

Oklahoma City Public Schools; San Jacinto (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Oklahoma City Public Schools, in collaboration with GEAR UP, seeks a College Coach to coordinate college and career readiness initiatives across multiple middle schools. You will organize college visits, academic planning sessions, and family workshops to promote postsecondary pathways and meaningful classroom engagement.

The role emphasizes collaboration with students, families, school staff, and community partners, with flexibility for evening and weekend activities and grant-supported funding.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree or higher in education or human services or 48 college hours.
• Experience with adolescents in youth services, college access, or schools.
• Strong organizational and coordination skills.
• Persistence and belief that all children can succeed with support.
• Ability to work with families from diverse backgrounds using a strengths-based approach.
• Excellent advocacy, negotiation, and conflict navigation.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate targeted support for a caseload of students.
• Plan and facilitate college readiness initiatives (visits, forums).
• Collaborate with families, counselors, and staff to ensure key transition steps.
• Guide enrollment in postsecondary opportunities (dual enrollment, AP, career programs).
• Maintain communication with students, families, educators, leaders, and partners.
• Monitor student progress and adjust intervention strategies.
• Perform other duties and support program goals.

Skills

Strong organizational skills

Excellent written and verbal comms

Ability to build partnerships

Advocacy skills

Collaboration skills

Experience with adolescents

Education

Associate's degree or higher in education or human services

Minimum 3 years related experience

Bilingual English and Spanish (Preferred)

Job description

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

• 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.
• 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/MentalRequirements:

• 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.
• 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 normalbusiness hours, including weekends and holidays.
• May be required to work overtime and weekends andholidays.
• 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

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.

Postings current as of 8/6/2026 8:48:58 AM CST.