Graduation Candidate Advocate

Acceleration Academies is passionate about improving student outcomes. We provide two capabilities that drive student success. Our dropout recovery and student re-engagement program (Acceleration Academies), is an innovative education partner helping young adults overcome real-life challenges to earn their high school diploma tuition-free through partnerships with state or local school districts across the country. Our technology platform (Incite®) enables data-driven teaching and learning. These offerings are both rooted in our belief that every student deserves access to the best instruction, tools and resources possible.

Position Title: Graduation Candidate Advocate 

Reports To: District Director

Location:  Sarasota Acceleration Academy

Salary: $19-$22 an hour

FTE: Part Time

Job Description 

The Graduation Candidate Advocate (GCA) role is key to building strong relationships with Graduation Candidates (GCs) that enable them to successfully earn his/her high school diploma.  GCA applicants must feel comfortable having one-on-one conversations with GCs of diverse backgrounds to learn why the traditional school setting was not a good fit.  GCAs work collaboratively with other staff to address identified non-academic barriers. GCAs are expected to implement motivational strategies to ensure GCs are attending the academy, provide curriculum support, and assist with identifying post-secondary opportunities based on each GCs interests.

Job Requirements

Education: Associate degree or higher (Bachelor’s preferred)

Years of Experience: At least 1 – 3 years of relevant experience preferred.

Background Check: Appropriate state and federal criminal history clearance

Core Competencies 

The following core competencies define what the organization requires of its employees to succeed and how we expect overall goals to be accomplished each and every day.

• Communication & Interpersonal Skills
• Collaboration & Teamwork
• Caring & Inclusiveness
• Flexibility & Adaptability
• Honesty, Integrity & Reliability
• Results-Orientation

Role-Specific Competencies 

These competencies are specific to the GCA position. 

• Organizational Planning & Time Management
• Commitment & Motivation
• Relationship Management
• Coachability & Learning Orientation
• Resiliency & Stress Management

Job Responsibilities

Enrollment

• Assist with new GC registration and enrollment process

• Provide support for GC orientation process

Retention/Attendance

• Serve as a case manager for a cohort of GCs to monitor and report regular attendance 
• Implement the Acceleration Academy Retention Protocol daily via outreach communications (i.e. texts, calls, home visits)
• Use technology tools to assist in daily monitoring and maintenance of GC attendance and retention records 

Recruitment

• Assist with canvassing and recruitment of new GCs

Academics

• Provide one-on-one academic support/intervention to support GC learning and facilitate the work of our center professionals 
• Work closely with the GC’s support team to monitor the learning pathway, behavior, and transition plans (including incentives) to improve GC achievement
• Use technology and Learning Management System to assist in monitoring and facilitating GC progress and maintaining GC records including attendance
• Support academic development through participation in professional development 

Advocacy

• Advocate for GCs by assisting with finding solutions and services through academy staff for the academic and non-academic barriers to success

Operations

• Provide day-to-day operations support of the academy (i.e. answering telephones, maintaining GC records, etc.)

• Participate in academy meetings and other school/ community events
• Other duties as assigned

Additional Qualifications 

• Bilingual (Spanish preferred) 
• Experience in a non-traditional school setting, education-related field, or with at-risk youth
• Demonstrates a commitment and passion for supporting GCs, who have disengaged from a traditional school setting, by creating opportunities for academic and personal breakthroughs 
• Strong understanding of and comfort with the use of technology in an educational setting
• Experience with any of the following:  project-based learning, portfolio assessment, competency-based education, cooperative learning, integration of technology and cross-disciplinary learning, alternative assessments and integrating school to career experiences into the curriculum

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to use hands to touch, handle, or feel. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

Work Environment and Work Demands

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally be exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is typical of a collaborative classroom environment.

Acceleration Academies is an Equal Opportunity Employer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work to be performed and are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. It is understood that other related duties may be assigned. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform all aspects of the position, described above satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.