The Independent School Alliance for Minority Affairs (the Alliance) is a leading organization in private school admissions counseling and placement. It was founded by its member schools for the purpose of placing underrepresented students of color at the elementary and secondary levels of independent schools. Since 1985, we have provided access, opportunity, and support to thousands of students across Southern California. Our students become exemplary members of their independent school communities, and very often, our member schools comment that their campuses are better places because of the presence of the Alliance students. Once placed, the Alliance offers its students a sense of community, peer support, and ever-expanding post-placement services and a host of leadership development opportunities. The Alliance’s $1 million annual operating budget is raised each year from private sources, including its very generous 16-member Board of Trustees. The Alliance has eight full-time employees as well as part-time interns, volunteers, and seasonal teachers to deliver the mission. While the Alliance is based in the Culver City area, the organization also makes extensive use of member school space.

The Alliance is seeking a team-oriented, dynamic, creative, and organized Student Support Associate and Admissions Counselor to support the growth of a mission-driven nonprofit. The Admissions Counselor has the specific responsibility for working with the Admissions Team on planning, coordinating, and directing those activities designed to attract and enroll qualified students in sufficient numbers to produce an academically and socially sound cohort of students. The position requires an individual who can work both independently and in collaboration with an experienced team of admission professionals. The Student Support Associate and Admissions Counselor is responsible for coordinating all aspects of candidate files, which includes maintenance of every candidate file and assembly of applicant information for review by the program staff and scheduling counseling sessions. This individual will assist with gathering information, pre-screening, and pre-qualifying potential students to ensure an efficient admission process. Finally, this individual will use quantitative data analysis to answer complex questions, discover insights and predictive trends, and support the enrollment management process. The Student Support Associate and Admissions Counselor is an invaluable part of the Alliance team and offers incredible opportunities for personal and career growth. Strategic planning and project management are essential functions of this position.

This individual reports to the Assistant Director of Admissions and Programs (ADAP). A successful candidate will have experience working with traditionally underserved communities, students, families, community leaders, and educators. This candidate must be self-motivated and a problem-solver. The ideal candidate must have a collaborative spirit but also be comfortable and confidently independent and have excellent communication and facilitation skills with the ability to manage change and growth.

• Ensure proper implementation of the Alliance program model by managing daily activities
• Support the design and implement a case management protocol system to ensure that no Alliance Scholars fall through the cracks
• Work in conjunction with the ADAP to recruit, hire, train, and manage student counselors and instructors for the Student Orientation Program
• Serve in a supervisory capacity and the primary contact for Youth Ambassadors Program throughout the school year.
• Serve in a supervisory capacity and the primary contact for instructors and counselors during the Student Orientation Program.
• Work in conjunction with the ADAP, Engagement and Outreach Officer (EOO), or any other designee to coordinate activities, field trips, school visits, student engagement initiatives and volunteer responsibilities.
• Input student enrollment data in the Alliance’s reporting system.
• Effectively and comfortably communicate and interact with admissions directors and staff at ISA member schools and effectively advocate on  candidates’ behalfs;
• Work with the Admissions Team in the coordination of recruitment and admissions activities; including but not limited to attendance and participation at recruitment events, fairs, school visitations, and interviewing of candidates;
• Advise students and families from racial communities in Los Angeles that have been traditionally underrepresented in independent schools;
• Inform prospective families of the school selection and admissions process, academic programs, and financial aid opportunities;
• Ensure that the candidate families have a sophisticated understanding of the independent school process through counseling;
• Identify best practices in transition counseling to support families new to the independent school world;
• Maintain contact with candidate families and member schools throughout our admissions process.

While experience is definitely an advantage, the ideal candidate will possess a growth mindset, "can-do” attitude and "do-whatever-it-takes" mentality, be calm under pressure, and bring excellent interpersonal communication and collaboration skills to support our team, families, donors, and member schools regarding general inquiries related to admissions, organizational functions, or other relevant topics. The ideal candidate will be able to work with accuracy and speed with strong attention to detail and is able to effectively organize and prioritize the multiple sets of demands associated with admissions. The candidate will be experienced with MS Office and all social media networking and has experience working with data and generating database reports. Finally, the ideal candidate will thrive in a flexible but demanding work environment and believe wholeheartedly in the mission of the Independent School Alliance and look for creative ways to increase our presence in the Greater Los Angeles area.

• BA required
• Two or more years of experience in either college admissions or college counseling in a high school or educational access organization
• Spanish fluency in speaking, reading, and writing is a plus
• Experience successfully working with Students of Color (primarily African-American and Latinx) a plus
• Independent school experience a plus

The Independent School Alliance strongly believes in selecting the best candidates to work with our students, families, and member schools. Our salaries are commensurate with education and experience. As a part of your offer you can expect to receive the following benefits:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits (percentage employer-sponsored)
• 403B/Retirement Plan (with an employer-matching component)
• Transportation Benefit Plan
• Vacation/Time-Off Package
• Flexible Schedule

Qualified applicants are asked to submit a letter of interest, resume, and contact information for three references in a single PDF or MS Word file to Rob Evans via isajobs@independentschoolalliance.org by July 15, 2019.

The Independent School Alliance for Minority Affairs is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, veteran status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status or disability (in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act) with respect to employment opportunities.