Description
ALUMNI ADVISOR
Join Verbum Dei Jesuit High School (VDJHS) as our Alumni Advisor and make a difference. Create real social impact by ensuring that young men from supportive families of limited resources graduate college.
ABOUT US
Verbum Dei Jesuit High School is a Catholic, Jesuit high school located in Watts with an enrollment of approximately 320 students. Part of the Cristo Rey Network (CRN), VDJHS offers young men from supportive families of limited resources a rigorous college preparatory curriculum, integrated with a professional work-study experience, and faith formation that prepares them to graduate from college as “men for others” who serve their communities and pursue a more just and humane world for all.
As a Cristo Rey school, VDJHS adheres to a set of Mission Effectiveness Standards to protect the integrity of the model and articulate the shared mission.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
The Alumni Advisor plays an essential role in ensuring all VDJHS students are on track to enroll in college and complete their degrees. The position requires an extraordinary commitment to serving students of limited economic means – most of whom are first-generation college students – through the implementation of a comprehensive alumni advising program. The position requires extensive experience with college admissions, matriculation, financial aid processes, and the ability to manage key relationships with a variety of stakeholders. In addition, candidates should be prepared to learn Salesforce and use it to manage their caseload.
The Alumni Advisor collaborates directly with students, parents, faculty and staff, alumni, college counselors, and corporate partners.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Serve as principal advisor and thought leader on best practices in college matriculation, persistence, and completion, including but not limited to:
- Conduct college campus visits according to school budget and strategic prioritization of alumni caseload.
- Assist students through college matriculation, course sequencing, financial aid, and transfer processes, as needed.
- Plan and lead workshops for alumni and key stakeholders (parents, faculty and staff, etc.) on topics related to college matriculation and persistence.
- Identify and work with struggling students to assess their needs and recommend individualized resources and solutions.
- Ensure students take advantage of special opportunities made available to low-income college students (e.g., emergency funding, travel grants, etc.).
- Communicate with alumni via phone, text, email, videoconferencing, and social media platforms, leveraging Salesforce to maximize efficiency of tracking information.
- Create and share resources for students that promote college success, career readiness, and job placement.
- Coordinate multiple events per year for alumni to build community and access programming.
- In light of Cristo Rey Network alumni data that affirms our students are more likely to earn their degree upon initial enrollment in a four-year program, work closely with four-year college enrollees to ensure degree completion and with students enrolled in two-year colleges to support a successful transition into a four-year program.
- Develop partnerships with colleges that alumni attend, creating capacity to link students to college/university resources that support their successful enrollment and retention.
- Collaborate with the College Counseling to support seniors in college selection and develop relationships with them prior to graduation.
- Generate college enrollment and persistence reports to track the latest trends in college completion data and benchmark against school goals.
- Build a school-wide college-going culture for 9th-12th grades (e.g., publicly post college graduations, host alumni panels, connect prospective applicants to college attending alumni, promote Alumni Association, etc.)
- Develop mentorship program that connects alumni with corporate partners and regularly communicate alumni progress.
- Manage Verbum Dei Jesuit college scholarship funds in collaboration with Mission Advancement.
ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
- Represent school at local, state, and national college admissions conferences, fairs, and/or tours to help strengthen regional partnerships and college persistence expertise.
- Participate in professional development opportunities offered by local college access organizations (e.g., Association of College Admissions Counselors) and Cristo Rey national office.
- Connect with other alumni advising programs at Cristo Rey Network schools.
- Host on- and off-campus alumni events.
- Must be able to travel, as needed.
Requirements
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor’s Degree required; Master’s preferred.
- At least 3 years of experience in high school or college advising with low-income, racially diverse students and their families.
- Strong understanding of the academic, financial, and social barriers to college access and persistence for underrepresented, first‐generation students.
DESIRED SKILLS AND QUALITIES
- Self-starter with the ability to manage a large number of professional relationships with a variety of stakeholders.
- Relentless focus on results, high level of accountability, and willingness to do “whatever it takes,” including flexibility around scheduling, travel, and ability to work some evening hours.
- Experience with social media, event planning, and database management.
- Demonstrated commitment to the mission of the Cristo Rey Network and model.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial school environment.
- A belief that all students can succeed in college and careers.
HOW TO APPLY
Interested applicants may apply online through our employment webpage at https://verbumdeijesuithighschool.applytojob.com/apply/5m2unXTZKc/Alumni-Advisor
Applicants will be asked to upload the following:
- Resume
- Cover Letter (not longer than one page)
- References: please include three letters of professional reference
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Verbum Dei Jesuit is an equal-opportunity employer. However, as a Jesuit institution organized as a California Nonprofit Religious Corporation, the School reserves the right to make employment decisions based on principles of Catholic moral teaching, religious preferences, and other religious needs, criteria, policies, and standards. Within that condition, Verbum Dei Jesuit is committed to fostering a supportive workplace which includes providing equal opportunity in employment for all people without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, age, ancestry, marital status, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity or expression physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information or genetic characteristics, veteran status, uniformed service or other protected status in accordance with state and federal laws.
Wage Range
The rate of pay offered to the selected candidate is based on internal pay policy and budget. New hires are commonly paid at the minimum of the wage range or within the lower part of the range. We consider a number of factors when making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skill sets, experience, training and other department needs.
Information/Application Contact
Verbum Dei Jesuit High School (Los Angeles)
11100 South Central Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90059
achen@verbjesuit.org