Job description

Alaska Fellows Program position description

Mt. Edgecumbe High School (MEHS) College and Career Guide

Located in Sitka

This position is part of the Alaska Fellows Program. All fellows live together, “in community,” in their respective host site. Each host site is unique and remarkable.

Fellows receive housing, a $1150 monthly living stipend and a $500 relocation stipend. The fellowship includes facilitated and funded opening and closing retreats.

If you are applying to a position in Juneau, please note that the program will last seven months (October-April) while other programs will run nine months (September-May).

For other questions about the application process, email applications@alaskafellows.org.

Work Term: August 24, 2023 through May 31, 2024 (note earlier start date)

Employer: Alaska College & Career Advising Corps / Mt. Edgecumbe High School

Contact: Suzzuk Mary Huntington

Superintendent

Mt. Edgecumbe High School

1330 Seward Avenue

Sitka, Alaska 99835

907-966-3200 main office

suzzukh@mehs.us

Title: College & Career Guide

Organization Description: Mt. Edgecumbe High School is a public boarding school operated by the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development. Initially established in 1947 by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Mt. Edgecumbe provided Alaska Native students in grades 1-12 the opportunity to acquire a traditional education unavailable in rural Alaska. Serving as many as 600 students at its largest, the school closed temporarily in 1983 as the Bureau of Indian Affairs reduced its role in Alaskan Education. Two years later, the school reopened under the governance of the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development. The central role of Mt. Edgecumbe High School in Alaskan education is to provide a broad range of academic and extra-curricular opportunities that are unavailable to students in isolated home schools and communities. Academic expectations are high and students who attend are expected to enroll in higher education. The official governing body charged with oversight is the Alaska State Board of Education.

Position Description: The College & Career Guide is a unique service learning opportunity for recent college graduates who are committed to improving education access for youth in Alaska. College & Career Guides are placed in high schools, where they must develop and execute strategies to build a culture promoting postsecondary access, participation and success. Guides will work in collaboration with counselors, teachers, and the community to provide direct advising to students while being a positive cultural catalyst. A successful Guide is self-directed, strategic, professional yet accessible, able to work with multiple stakeholders, and knowledgeable of higher education in Alaska and the challenges facing underserved youth. The unique setting of Mt. Edgecumbe High School as a boarding school allows for the guide to reach students during non-school hours as well as during the school day. The MEHS guide will be encouraged to work with both academic and residential staff to maximize student impact utilizing evening study hour as times to meet with students at least twice a week.

Primary duties:

1.

Collaborate with High School counseling staff and ACAC Team members to directly advise and assist students with career exploration, curricular choices, financial literacy, postsecondary program application and admission, and financial aid options. An emphasis is placed on working with low to middle income and first generation students. (60% of time)

• Advise students on a one-to-one basis regarding their postsecondary plans during daily office hours and scheduled appointments.
• Facilitate college entrance exam preparation and registration, utilizing application waivers when appropriate/available.
• Encourage students to take advanced placement, college prep courses, and dual credit courses.
• Facilitate classroom presentations promoting the access to and value of higher education utilizing ACAC tool kits and resources.
• Review and assist students with college applications as well as the completion of the FAFSA and other scholarship resources outside of university and government funding.
• Assist teachers in writing successful recommendation letters for students as needed.
• Help students utilize AKCIS and offer AKCIS refresher sessions to staff, teachers, and families.
• Draft program and progress reports as needed.

2.

Promote postsecondary education and training, making students and families aware of college and career opportunities through presentations, classroom visits, parent-mentor nights, campus field trips, brochures, internet-based strategies, and other forms of communication. (25% of time)

• Co-host college/career training fairs, parent-mentor nights, and participate in other extracurricular activities in an effort to build positive relationships with students and their families. At MEHS this will require creative thinking and use of technology to reach out to parents.
• Work with counseling staff to develop and disseminate content for college awareness resources and tools (brochures and websites) and create visual aids throughout the campus that help to create a college-going culture including posters and bulletin boards.
• Plan and present postsecondary awareness and access events including College Application Week, College Day and Decision Day at assigned school(s).

3.

Conduct program assessment using evaluative tools such as college/career/financial literacy surveys with students/parents in conjunction with the School Counseling staff in order to gauge the program’s impact on the target population. (10% of time)

• Assist counseling staff and site supervisor in conducting career and college awareness surveys such as the ACAC Spring Survey.
• Identify data trends and assist in developing strategies to meet student needs
• Record all program activity in ACAC database if requested.

4.

Participate as a member of committees and workgroups with focus on postsecondary education planning and access topics. (5% of time)

Hours:

• Position will work the school year and may be required to attend training in Anchorage in August.
• Position will be required to work a “swing shift” 1:00-9:00pm at least 2 days a week. Which days may be flexible.
• Position may be asked to work occasional additional evenings or weekends to meet student needs or assist in ACT/SAT testing. These times will be flexed with other time off.
• Position may require occasional travel inside/outside of Alaska.

Qualifications:

Knowledge of:

• Postsecondary program application, admission, and financial aid processes
• Alaska’s higher education/career resources
• Alaska’s K-16 educational system
• Program development and general management principles
• Student academic advising services
• Internet, media and technology-based strategies for social marketing

Skills in:

• Public speaking and presentation techniques
• Effective written communication for outreach/PR material & college entrance essays
• ∙Microsoft computer programs including Word, Excel, and Power Point, and Publisher or related programs
• Developing and administering surveys/questionnaires
• Communicating with diverse populations
• Problem solving and ability to recognize when to redirect a specific situation to needed expertise
• Creative and critical thinking
• Developing and maintaining positive relationships with internal and external partners
• Online communication tools such as Facebook, Remind, IM, blogs, etc.

Ability to:

• Perform responsibly, take initiative and develop new ideas with co-workers
• Make independent decisions while working in a team environment
• Build rapport and establish positive relationships with youth
• Manage multiple projects
• Interact with peers, supervisors, students, parents, and other third parties in a professional, appropriate, and effective manner
• Work nontraditional hours when necessary

Other requirements:

• Baccalaureate degree from an accredited university.
• Recent graduates (degree obtained in last three years or less)

Work Authorization: This host organization is not able to sponsor HB1 visas at this time.

For questions about the position please contact:

Suzzuk Mary Huntington

Superintendent

Mt. Edgecumbe High School

1330 Seward Avenue

Sitka, Alaska 99835

907-966-3200 main office

suzzukh@mehs.us

To Apply: Please complete the google form linked HEREincluding submitting all requested application materials.

Application Materials: Cover letter and resume.

Job Types: Full-time, Temporary

Pay: $1,150.00 per month

Benefits:

• Professional development assistance
• Relocation assistance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Sitka, AK: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

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