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Full Job Description
Dolores Mission Church (DMC) is a Roman Catholic Parish of the Los Angeles Archdiocese under the direction of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). It is known for its prophetic ministry among former gang members and for its work promoting social justice on local, national and global issues. The youth of our community and their well-being have always been a central concern of parish life and pastoral planning. Graduating 8th graders from Dolores Mission School (DMS) are tracked through high school and offered ongoing academic, spiritual and emotional support and formation opportunities during their high school years. In addition, the program gives annual scholarship support to students who attend local Catholic high schools. The High School Scholars Program Coordinator is primarily responsible for the administration of this support. The Coordinator develops close communication with parish families and collaborates with DMS and DMC staff, partner high schools, and other community youth organizations to ensure successful academic outcomes for DMS alumni.
Job Responsibilities:
Recruitment, High School Application Facilitation, and Student Tracking:
Market Catholic high schools to current 8th grade families. In conjunction with the 8th grade homeroom teacher, coordinate visits by Catholic High Schools to the 8th grade class and help coordinate and support “Shadow Days” at the high schools.
Support students and their families with Catholic high school application and financial aid process (November – January).
September: Consult with DMS president, principal and 8th grade homeroom teacher to create individual 8th grade student reports, including middle school GPA and standardized testing and provide high school suggestions to 8th grade families.
Work with students and their families to support them through the high school application and financial aid process by the deadlines.
Fall trimester: Work with 8th grade homeroom teachers and Vice Principal on HS Placement Test strategies weekly.
November-February: Send school records to high schools and keep track of documents.
December-March: Assist 8th grade families with financial aid forms from 3rd party companies (FACTS) and school-based financial aid (e.g. Sacred Heart & Salesian)
March-May: Work with school administration and business manager to distribute HS registration funds.
Maintain a list of high schools where Dolores Mission alumni attend; communicate with the school principal and registrar to get a copy of transcripts on a semester basis.
Maintain a list of all the high school scholars, schools, year in school, GPAs, their donors, college attending when they graduate and ongoing contact information.
Personal Formation, Academic, and other Support:
The High School Scholars Program offers our alumni a safe place to experience growth and be supported, while staying connected with their DMS peers and the Dolores Mission community. It offers each student opportunities to fulfill community service hours, participate in monthly meetings, attend workshops, mentoring opportunities, and assistance in navigating the college application and financial aid process during their Junior and Senior year. This program is intended to help each scholar reach their full potential in high school and into college.
The High School Scholars Coordinator oversees this program and will ensure that students are supported at each stage of high school including:
Freshman/Sophomores: Plan and implement 4-6 meetings and/or workshops (monthly/bi-monthly basis) with freshmen that help them to transition into high school and help them strategize skills needed to succeed (e.g. time management, discerning vocations and career paths, building healthy peer relationships, accessing resources, understanding A-G requirements necessary for college planning).
Juniors: Administer the high school junior cohort requirement including creating an individualized College Application roadmap with each student including helping them assess strengths and weaknesses of their college application including advising on summer class recommendations, extracurricular recommendations and together create a list of safety, target and reach schools, if appropriate. Assist Juniors exploring essay topics and oversee the submission of a draft of their UC personal statement before the end of June. Plan and implement at least one class meeting per semester to discuss relevant topics and to allow the class to develop greater bonds with each other and with Dolores Mission. Assist Juniors in planning and implementing their group service project.
Seniors: Plan and organize the senior cohort component of the program, including regular review of their individualized college roadmap meetings, planning and implementing at least one class meeting to review the college applications process and deadlines and FAFSA deadlines. In the fall, coordinator will work closely with each Senior to support them in the college application process as needed, to assist them in meeting deadlines, and in providing letters of recommendation on behalf of Dolores Mission. Provide assistance, as needed, with financial aid applications (FAFSA, CSS Profile). In the Spring, coordinator will assist seniors and their families understand college acceptances and financial aid award letters. Coordinator will plan an end-of-the-year celebration with seniors and their families.
Administer weekly service component of the program for freshmen and sophomores:
Collaborate with DMC Coordinator of Youth Ministry to assign, train, and supervise service placements: altar serving, ushering, or catechism assistance or an alternative placement.
Assist in planning and coordinating annual Career Day at Dolores Mission.
Develop and implement a freshman/senior mentoring program for HSS.
Develop a “college visits” program with local colleges and universities including CSLA and others to give students an opportunity for a first hand view of a college.
Assist in planning and implementing at least one bilingual workshop for parents of juniors and seniors in the late spring or summer to discuss the college application process and financial aid applications. This will be coordinated in conjunction with Pastoral Assistant, Youth Minister, and Director of Administration and Advancement.
Attend Confirmation Retreats. Collaborate with DMC Coordinator of Youth Ministry on development and implementation of Community Building/Discernment/Vocation Retreats, etc.
Assist in any other school or church functions as needed including La Fiesta de la Comunidad and Dolores Mission’s Golf Tournament other special events.
Maintain High School Network/Relationships:
Manage and build relationships with participating high schools and their administrators (principals, presidents, deans, business managers) and with students and parents.
Collect high school transcripts each semester.
Advocate on behalf of students and their family when needed to ensure high school success.
Communicate with the DM business manager so that scholarship monies are accurately sent to each school in a timely manner (after July 1st).
Communicate with parents and students if GPAs are below a 3.0 GPA and help to determine next steps needed towards improving their grades.
Coordinate and manage the Loyola Tutoring Program (Sept.-Jan.) with the school president:
August: Identify with DMS president & principal high-achieving 5th grade boys based on GPA and STAR standardized test scores.
Meet with Loyola tutoring candidates and their families to establish program expectations.
Oversee tutoring program on a weekly basis from September through January.
Regularly communicate with donors, tutors, and tutoring programs on a weekly basis.
Regularly track STAR standardized test scores and GPA with the school Principal and Vice Principal.
Development:
Assist the Director of Administration and Advancement, pastor and school president with donor communications, donor meetings and visits, grant applications, and special events as part of stewarding new potential donors and current donors to the High School Scholars Program, Dolores Mission Church and School.
Communicate how students are performing each semester with monthly or bi-monthly meetings.
Attend special events and opportunities that provide networking opportunities to meet current and prospective donors.
Requirements
Bilingual in verbal and written English and Spanish.
Good written communications skills: ability to draft written correspondence (e.g. letters to donors, parents, students and high schools).
Good verbal communication skills: ability to communicate well the vision, mission and values of Dolores Mission with a wide range of people, including students, parents, schools, parishioners, donors, etc.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and communicate prudently with school and parish staff as alumni and their families seek assistance for a variety of challenges. Ability to problem solve.
Knowledgeable of CSU/UC A-G requirements and of college application process including CSU, UC, and Common App.
Provide basic counseling to children ages 13-18 years old.
Google Docs/Drive, Microsoft Word, Excel.
Ability to learn how to use our eTapestry database.
Team Player
Demonstrates reliability; Shares important information; Listens actively; Communicates directly and constructively; Cooperates and pitches in to help; Shows commitment to the team; Exhibits flexibility; Works as a problem solver; Treats others with dignity, charity, respect and in a supportive manner; Uses sound professional judgment and consults with managers as needed; Demonstrates a commitment to growth.