KIPP Puentes Program Coordinator

About the KIPP Puentes Program Coordinator Role: The Puentes Program Coordinator will be responsible for the management of the KIPP Colorado Puentes Program within the KIPP Forward team. This position oversees the implementation and management of the Puentes Grant, which includes recruitment and selection of scholars, advising of scholarship cohort, and programming for scholars within the program. This position is responsible for implementing an inclusive and holistic academic, financial, and social-emotional advising model that will empower alumni as they progress toward college graduation. The KIPP Forward's alumni priority is working towards our aspirational goal of 75% graduation within six years. The Puentes Program Coordinator/Manager will report directly to the Director of KIPP Forward.

About the Puentes Scholars Program: The Puentes Scholars Program aims to help undocumented KIPP Colorado alumni live their full potential by providing financial assistance, programming, and holistic services that support their college and career aspirations. This position oversees all aspects of the program from recruitment, advising, programming, and grant management.

About KIPP: Together with families and communities, KIPP creates 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 build a more just world. KIPP is a national network of tuition-free, public charter schools open to all students. There are 255 college-preparatory KIPP schools in 20 states and the District of Columbia, serving more than 100,000 students. Nationally, KIPP students are graduating four-year colleges at three times the national average for low-income students. 

Who we are: KIPP Colorado Public Schools is a network of six free college-preparatory public charter schools open to all students. Our 350-person staff educates 2,600 students from ECE to 12th grade. At KIPP Colorado, we partner with our KIPPsters, educators, families and communities to ensure that we are all united around the goal of a choice-filled future for our KIPPsters. Our KIPP Forward Team supports our 1,000+ high school Alumni as they create their own paths. Our core values of excellence, belonging, belief, advocacy and courage are central to who we are and how we operate at all levels of our organization.

What we do: We believe in the unique gifts and brilliance of every student. We believe in setting a high bar for joy and academic excellence to ensure the infinite possibilities our students have before them become a reality. We aspire to create and reinforce a culture of achievement, belonging and support. We know that every student is different and we personalize learning based on a student's needs, skills, and interests.

Professional Responsibilities 

• Believe deeply in the mission, values, and Race, Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity (RIDE) commitments of KIPP Colorado Schools and that all children can and will learn 
• Assume personal responsibility for student achievement 
• Read, internalize, and adhere to the KIPP Colorado Policies and Procedures manual and guidelines
• Provide an active presence, strategic supervision, and intentional monitoring to ensure student safety and engagement in rigorous learning (regardless of my role and its proximity to students)
• Take ownership for the development of your craft (meet 1x/1-2 weeks with a manager, implement feedback, engage in active practice, etc.)
• Commit to being prepared. Such as: internalizing and preparing for lessons; preparing for O3s/coaching, preparing for meetings, coaching, PD, etc. 
• Meet professional obligations including and not limited to meeting deadlines and honoring schedules 
• Consistently leverage existing professional tools, including but not limited to Google Suite (google documents, etc.) and Microsoft Suite (including but not limited to your KIPP Colorado email, Teams chat / meetings, Teams phone, and Microsoft outlook) 
• Maintain strong attendance each day and be on time to all responsibilities
• Collaborate with colleagues and seek feedback in the spirit of continuous improvement 
• Reflect on professional practices to meet individual professional development goals 
• Actively participate in professional development, grade level, and department meetings
• Actively engage and implement in all school-wide and Org wide professional development
• Serve as a positive, contributing member of a grade team or functional team, collaborating with colleagues to tackle common challenges and implement org and grade-wide initiatives
• Share candid, solutions-oriented feedback with peers and leadership on a regular basis, assuring that feedback is shared directly with the intended recipient. Ensure that feedback is focused on improving outcomes and experiences for students
• Assist with both student and staff recruitment and engagement- including events, home visits, calls home, and other determined and related requirements
• Know that you role, professional development, org wide meetings, etc. may require you to travel around Denver to other KIPP Campuses, our Home Office, or other KIPP or PD events 
• Assist with other duties as assigned (such as but not limited to, lunch duty, arrival/dismissal duty, bathroom duty, school support duties, etc.) 

Strong Transition

• Develop and execute a strong transition plan with high school match teams to ensure graduating Puentes Scholars transition into their postsecondary plan smoothly and successfully
• Build relationships with graduating seniors entering the Puentes Scholarship Program and complete pre-enrollment benchmarks for those students
• Complete strategic outreach to graduating seniors who are most at-risk for summer melt
• Identify, develop, and leverage resources deemed critical in improving student retention, persistence and success
• Promote college matriculation, persistence; summer and bridge programs; scholarships, life skills, career, and networking opportunities; and other resources available to college-going alumni within the Puentes Program

Advising

• Connect with the entire Puentes Cohort (virtually/in-person) to strengthen and maintain relationships and a sense of belonging throughout the term
• Complete persistence benchmarks to drive insight-driven, personalized, transformational coaching
• Provide effective coaching on the keys to student success: 1) Have A Passion, Purpose, & Plan 2) Focus on Academics 3) Network & Navigate 4) Be Financially Fit 5) Know Who You Are
• Foster and support self-advocacy and help-seeking behaviors in alumni
• Backwards plan outreach efforts to support alumni passion/purpose/plan, academics, social-emotional and financial challenges
• Backwards plans outreach efforts to support alumni passion/purpose/plan, academics, social-emotional and financial challenges
• Plan and implement professional development for scholars through programming and events

Data Management

• Own and maintain accurate record keeping for Puentes funds and student data, and present data to partners, stakeholders, and KIPP Colorado Board of Directors
• Conduct a data deep dive following each benchmark/transcript period to prioritize caseloads and strategize interventions for the next semester
• Collect and input transcript and financial aid data for all alumni on caseload
• Analyze benchmark and transcript trends
• Accurately provides bi-weekly data reports and monitors progress towards prioritized goals in college persistence and alumni advising
• Maintain constant and consistent communication on the data progress of alumni on caseload with key stakeholders including but not limited to: KIPP Foundation, high school match teams, and KIPP regional leadership
• Utilize data management platforms to track, progress monitor, and report data on participating alumni, including, but not limited to Salesforce, Overgrad, etc.

Partnership & Project Management

• Recruit new scholars to apply to the scholarship and manage the selection process including interviews, selection, and induction of new scholarship cohort
• Manages the Puentes Scholarship grant through with fidelity, tracking expenses, ensuring scholarship payments, and management of funds
• Manage, cultivate and maintain relationships/partnerships with colleges, universities, summer programs, scholarship programs, and community organizations, to ensure alumni have the resources and connections necessary to matriculate and graduate from college.
• Develop partnerships with key stakeholders at partner colleges to ensure alumni are connected to resources and programs that will enrich their experience and ensure degree completion
• Develop innovative and creative solutions through programming and one-on-ones that solve challenges related to persistence and degree completion

Role Level Specifics, Scope of Work, and Level of Responsibility

• For more about how you’ll lead at this level, please visit the KIPP Colorado Role Levels Matrix (this is an internal document, only)

About the skills and qualifications you will bring to this role: 

• High school diploma (required)
• Bachelor’s degree (preferred)
• At least 1-3 years of relevant and aligned experience (required)
• Bilingual in Spanish Language is strongly preferred
• Experience with college admissions and financial aid, advising students, and knowledge of working with students and families with varying citizenship status(es) is preferred
• Project management experience with managing budgets, data reporting, project planning, and cross-team coordination is preferred 
• A full understanding and Commitment to an Exceptional Student Experience (more about that HERE) (required) 
• Track record of providing outstanding customer service (required) 
• Flexibility 
• Ability to manage data and communication through various Google, Salesforce, grant portals, and Outlook platforms

• Outstanding organizational skills and high attention to detail; outstanding written and oral communication skills
• Ability to manage the ambiguity and multiple priorities inherent in an entrepreneurial environment
• Proactive problem solver who demonstrates initiative and teamwork
• Strong work ethic coupled with an enthusiastic and passionate approach to one’s work

• Multi-faceted, multi-skilled, resourceful and willing to do whatever it takes to help the school reach a level of academic excellence
• creativity and versatility to work productively in a fast-paced environment
• proven ability to meet and complete multiple deadlines and tasks with meticulous attention to detail
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to develop productive working relationships with stakeholders across functional and organizational lines
• Passionate commitment to KIPP Colorado mission and to high standards of excellence

Employee retention and satisfaction is imperative for KIPP Colorado. We seek to provide competitive compensation and benefits including the following:

• Competitive Market Salary: Starting salary for this role begins at $61,200 and is commensurate with experience
  • Please submit a comprehensive resume to assure all your experience is accounted for! Tip: We don't care if your resume is more than one page, we are eager to see and compensate you for all of your experience and accomplishments
• Excellent Healthcare Plan: 100% of employee-only monthly premium paid by KIPP Colorado and options for family enrollment and coverage, through United Healthcare 

• Time Off !!!: More than 6 weeks of annual vacation and Paid Time Off (PTO) 
  • Based on hire date, employees are eligible for up to 8 days of Paid Time Off (PTO) 
  • All employees receive summer break through an organization-wide closure, based on work location and position
  • Access to parental and medical leave: includes 6 weeks paid and 6 weeks unpaid for a total of 12 weeks (after your first year)

• Career Trajectory: Access to opportunity to move up, across schools, and grow your career during weekly coaching sessions to refine your craft

• Mental Health Care: Immediate and ongoing access to mental health support through our Employee Assistance Program

• Technology & Access: Equipment provided: laptop & phone 

• Retirement Planning: Participation in the Colorado PERA retirement program, including a PERA 401k option
• Move to Join Us: Relocation reimbursement (when applicable)
• Additional Pay: Most schools offer various stipend opportunities
• Other Insurance Options: 
  • Wellness reimbursement
  • Voluntary employee, spousal, and child life insurance
  • Voluntary long term disability insurance
  • Voluntary short term disability insurance
  • Optional Basic Life and AD&D Insurance

• Additional Information: For more information, you can view our benefits FAQ here

 
KIPP Colorado Schools is dedicated to equal employment opportunities and fair labor practices. KIPP Colorado Schools, KIPP Denver Collegiate High School, KIPP Northeast Denver Middle School, KIPP Northeast Elementary, KIPP Northeast Denver Leadership Academy, KIPP Sunshine Peak Academy and KIPP Sunshine Peak Elementary provide equal employment opportunities to all individuals based on job-related qualifications, and the ability to perform a job without regard to race, color, gender, gender identity, gender expression, religious creed, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, genetic information, legally protected medical condition, veteran status, sexual orientation, or on any other basis made unlawful by federal, state or local laws. It is our policy to maintain a non-discriminatory environment free from intimidation, harassment or bias based upon these grounds.