Director of High School Programs

Director of High School Programs

REPORTS TO: Lead Program Officer

START DATE: Immediate POSITION

SUMMARY: The Director of High School Programs is responsible for planning and implementing programming for Breakthrough Miami’s high school students to ensure they are prepared for academic success in high school, and successfully transition to college. The Director will work closely with students and families as they navigate the high school years, and hold students to high academic and community standards.

During the school year, the Director will plan Saturday programming, monitor academic progress, set goals for inside and outside of the classroom, and navigate school and other community resources, to ensure students stay on track for college. The Director will also introduce students and families to the ins and outs of college readiness, through workshops, field trips, and other community-building activities; and will perform the logistical tasks that support programming, such as scheduling, securing facilities, and arranging transportation as needed.

Over the summer, the Director will work with the BTU team to plan and execute the six-week Summer Institute for 150+ 9th grade students to build community and support academic readiness, and the transition to high school. They will oversee day-to-day operations, serve as the primary point of contact for students and families, and work with the rest of the team to manage Teaching Fellows as they execute Breakthrough’s “students teaching students” model.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Lead the development and implementation of robust BreakthroughU school year programming and summer programming that provides academic tools and real-life learning experiences, and mentoring relationships that support on-time high school graduation and entrance into post-secondary institutions
• Use data and best practices to inform program development, evaluation, and growth
• Meet established standards of accountability and measurements of success for program delivery, as well as student and teacher success
• Champion students by nurturing individual student strengths and providing timely, appropriate interventions and resources as needed to ensure students are safe and supported
• Oversee collection and analysis of student records, including report cards, progress reports, and Individualized Education Plans, standardized test scores, and other data relating to college transition success
• Provide students with connections to supplemental and enrichment opportunities during the summer and school year to aid in college preparation and leadership development
• Leverage creative communication vehicles to reach and engage Scholars, volunteers, and Teaching Fellows
• Maintain positive, regular communication with students’ families, and provide personalized guidance and support throughout high school and during the college application process
• Assist in the recruitment, management, and development of school-year AmeriCorps members, 20+ summer staff members and 25+ volunteers
• Perform other duties that may be assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree
• Experience working with adolescents, young adults, and families

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Excellent public speaking, writing, communication, and computer skills
• Takes initiative, self-motivated, able to identify problems and develop solutions
• Ability to develop and maintain key relationships
• Curiosity about our work and how to maximize the utility of data, and eagerness to learn and expandknowledge, including about how to advance equity and apply our values in our data work
• Results-oriented; holds self-accountable

OTHER SUCCESS FACTORS

• Able to see the big picture while also paying attention to details
• Understanding of the Breakthrough model and Miami-Dade Public Schools
• Able to leverage technology to help students achieve learning goals using digital tools to access, decipher and construct knowledge and creative artifacts and make meaningful learning experiences.
• Experience in MS Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Sets high personal standards, follows through on commitments, models fairness and transparency in interactions
• Able to operate effectively in diverse environments and interact successfully with people from widely varying backgrounds
• Proficiency in Spanish or Creole

Physical Requirements

Occasionally exert up to 20 pounds of force to lift or carry. Activities occur inside and outside. Indoor work is in an air-conditioned office or school/classroom setting. Occasional outdoor work is subject to temperature and humidity.  Must frequently move about both indoors and outdoors.  Requires keyboarding, use of a mouse, exchanging information accurately, and close visual acuity to enter, prepare and analyze data and view a computer terminal.

Breakthrough Miami operates in a rapidly changing education and community environment. This job description is a summary, not a contract. The duties and responsibilities of this role may change at any time due to organizational needs.