Reports to: Educational Equity Director
Status: Full-Time, Hourly - Non Exempt
The Social Justice Learning Institute is dedicated to improving the education, health, and well-being of youth of color by empowering them to take hold of their educational future using research as a tool for community and social change. SJLI trains students to conduct research on problems in their community using a rigorous yearlong curriculum while providing basic academic support (i.e., tutoring, homework assistance, academic counseling, etc.) and college preparatory education. SJLI youth learn what it takes to achieve academically to go to college and become civically engaged, solution-oriented, and critical participants in the democratic experience. SJLI envisions an educational system where youth become engaged citizens who discover their best talents and apply them to help improve the world they live within.
Job Summary
At SJLI, the Academic and Career Services Coordinator provides students with mentorship and guidance in their academic, personal, and professional development.
This includes, but is not limited to: case management, developing individual academic plans, academic intervention counseling, developing partnerships with job/career organizations, and working alongside school administrators, parents, and community organizations to achieve these goals. These goals culminate in fully preparing students to be eligible to apply to a 4-year year/2 year institution and/or in a pipeline to be gainfully employed after graduation. It is essential to build networks with community organizations to be able to connect students with opportunities that can propel them in their personal pursuits.
Responsibilities:
- Establishes and maintains relationships with student
- Facilitates meetings with students, counselors, teachers, and parents
- Develops individual academic plans with students
- Supports academic intervention work
- Connects students to on-campus and off-campus resources
- In partnership with the Program Instructor, establishes relationships with on-campus site staff and administrators.
- Assists the planning and coordinating college field trips
- Connects students to SAT/ACT prep courses
- Familiar with Common Application and Apply Texas for HBCUs, Texas public and private colleges and universities, and community colleges.
- Creates and facilitates financial aid workshops
- Assists with navigating financial aid
- Assists with the college application process for youth
- Creates and facilitates college application workshops
- Facilitates career exploration guest presentations in class
- Integrate SEL strategies into all student interactions and planning
- Provide support around identity development, confidence building, goal setting, and resilience
- Serve as a caring adult presence who helps students navigate emotional and academic challenges
- Refer students to mental health resources and provide follow-up as needed
- Foster a positive, affirming, and inclusive space for all students.
- Ability to use SJLI’s online databases
- Responsible for collecting and inputting student data from various sources
- Able to collect, track, and input data effectively
- Ability to create site data reports
- Create monthly reports
- Exceptional interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills
- Experience in working with young people from a youth development perspective
- Has a social justice framework and is knowledgeable of the tenets of equity.
- Able to demonstrate a commitment to the Social Justice Learning Institute's goals, guidelines, and principles
- Able to maintain confidentiality
- Possesses a valid Texas Driver’s License
- Ability to obtain a live scan clearance
- Available to work on weeknights and weekends
- Able to form strong relationships with a wide range of constituents, including, but not limited to, parents, students, staff and leadership
- Ability to collaborate in a team environment
Core Competencies:
At SJLI, how we approach our work is as important as what we achieve. The following core competencies reflect the values, skills, and mindsets that are critical for success in the Academic & Career Services Coordinator role and throughout our organization. These competencies guide our hiring decisions, inform our performance evaluations, and shape our professional development efforts. We seek candidates who demonstrate strength in these areas and a commitment to continual growth and learning.
- Growth Mindset: Demonstrates a willingness to learn, adapt, and improve continuously in response to evolving youth needs and social justice landscapes.
- Mission Driven: Shows a strong commitment to SJLI’s mission and values, integrating them into all aspects of youth programming and advocacy work.
- Communication: Exhibits excellent verbal and written communication skills, adapting style to various audiences, including youth, community partners, and stakeholders.
- Ownership: Takes responsibility for youth programs, outcomes, and stakeholder relationships, showing initiative and follow-through.
- Cultural Humility: Demonstrates respect and openness to diverse perspectives and experiences within the youth communities SJLI serves.
- Workload Management: Effectively prioritizes tasks and manages time to meet deadlines and achieve program goals.
- Develops and Motivates Others: Inspires and supports the growth of youth participants, volunteers, and team members in program activities and advocacy efforts.
- Emotional Awareness: Demonstrates empathy and understanding in interactions with youth, team members, and community partners, particularly when addressing sensitive social justice issues.
- External Relationship Builder: Cultivates and maintains strong partnerships with youth-serving organizations, schools, and other key stakeholders to advance SJLI’s youth-focused initiatives.
- Continuous Improvement Minded: Consistently seeks ways to enhance youth programs, engagement strategies, and advocacy efforts for greater impact.
- Strategic Thinking: Aligns youth programs with SJLI’s broader goals and mission, anticipating challenges and opportunities in youth engagement and advocacy.
- Manages with Data: Uses data-driven insights to inform decision-making, evaluate the effectiveness of youth programs, and improve outcomes.
Candidates are encouraged to share how they have demonstrated these competencies in their past experiences and how they would apply them in this role. SJLI is committed to supporting the ongoing development of these competencies through mentorship, training, and professional development opportunities.
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in a related field or 1-2 years of counseling or tutoring experience. Understanding the field is essential, including knowledge and understanding of SEL development and working with students.
Social Justice Learning Institute ("SJLI") is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity. We are committed to complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws providing equal employment opportunities, as well as all other employment laws and regulations. It is our intent to maintain a work environment that is free of unlawful harassment, discrimination, and retaliation. SJLI prohibits discrimination, harassment, or retaliation based on any characteristic protected by applicable law, including, but not limited to: age (40 and over), race (including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, marital status, reproductive health decision-making, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender (including gender identity and gender expression), sexual orientation, veteran or military status, protected medical leaves (including requesting or taking leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act or California Family Rights Act), domestic violence victim status, political affiliation, off-duty and off-premises use of cannabis, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. The Organization is dedicated to the fulfillment of this policy in regard to all aspects of employment, including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, placement, transfer, training, promotion, rates of pay and other compensation, benefits, discipline, termination, and all other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment. Employment decisions at SJLI are based on legitimate, job-related qualifications, skills, experience, performance, organizational needs, and other lawful business considerations. In carrying out our mission, SJLI values mission alignment, community-centered practice, culturally responsive approaches, and the ability to contribute positively to the communities we serve, particularly historically underserved communities. Nothing in this policy shall be interpreted or applied in a manner inconsistent with applicable law. The Organization will conduct a confidential, prompt, and thorough investigation of all allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or any violation of this Equal Employment Opportunity Policy. Where appropriate, the Organization will take corrective and remedial action. SJLI strictly prohibits retaliation against any team member who, in good faith, reports concerns, provides information, participates in an investigation, or otherwise exercises rights protected by law or this policy. We are all responsible for upholding this policy and fostering a workplace characterized by dignity, respect, inclusion, and belonging. Team members who have questions regarding equal employment opportunities or who wish to report concerns should speak with their manager, Human Resources, or any other designated member of management.
Pay: $30.00 - $32.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Houston, TX 77027
