Trainer, Posse Houston Job in Houston, Texas US
The Posse Foundation is a nationally recognized youth leadership development and college access program that identifies, recruits, and trains diverse teams – posses – of public high school students and sends them to top colleges and universities. To date, a total of 4,223 Posse Scholars have been accepted into top-tier institutions of higher education throughout the country. These young people have received $485 million in full-tuition leadership scholarships from Posse’s college and university partners and have been agents of positive change on their campuses. Posse’s unique and carefully structured, three-month selection process identifies candidates using criteria beyond academic achievement, including leadership talent, desire to succeed and ability to work constructively with people from diverse backgrounds. Posse’s high school through college programming makes it one of the most comprehensive programs of its kind in the nation. Most recently The Posse Foundation was identified by President Obama as one of 10 national non-profit organizations to receive a portion of his Nobel Peace Prize grant. The foundation is poised to double in size over the next ten years and dramatically increase its national impact.
Posse’s current university partners include Babson, Bard, Boston University, Brandeis, Bryn Mawr, Bucknell, Carleton, Centre, Colby, The College of Wooster, Connecticut College, Denison, DePauw, Dickinson, Franklin Marshall, Grinnell, Hamilton, Kalamazoo, Lafayette, Lawrence, Middlebury, Mount Holyoke, Northwestern, Oberlin, Pepperdine, Pomona, Sewanee, Syracuse, Texas AM, Trinity, Tulane, Union, University of California, Berkeley, University of California, Los Angeles, University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign, University of Pennsylvania, University of Southern California, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Vanderbilt, and Wheaton.
Posse’s 2012 budget of $14.8 million supports programs in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York City and Washington, D.C. Posse has a staff of 115 nationally. There is a national board of directors, as well as advisory boards in each city.
Posse Houston is currently looking for a trainer. Posse Houston is a start-up site.
Job Description:
The role of the Posse trainer is to help recruit, train, support, encourage and maintain contact with Posse Scholars. The Posse trainer works with Scholars beginning in their senior year of high school and continuing to their graduation from the partner college or university. The Posse trainer works with Scholars both on an individual basis and in groups. The Posse trainer reports to the Program Director of Posse Houston and will work in close collaboration with a partner trainer.
- Raise awareness of Posse program at high schools and community-based organizations through personal contact with college counselors, principals, program directors and other staff.
- Assist in recruitment of students for the Posse program.
- Serve as a resource for candidates throughout the recruitment process.
- Help organize and deliver recruitment, assessment and selection activities.
- Select Posse Scholars, in collaboration with partner college and university officials.
- Plan, facilitate and evaluate workshops, summer retreats, and other activities for up to three Posses during the eight-month, pre-college training program.
- Assist writing coaches in planning, implementation and assessment of writing program.
- Develop and maintain relationships with Posse Scholars at three partner colleges and universities through regular campus visits, telephone calls, email and other correspondence.
- Develop and maintain relationships with Posse Mentors at three partner colleges and universities, participate in Mentor training, communicate regularly with Mentors by phone and email throughout academic year.
- Maintain relationships with staff, administrators and faculty at partner colleges and universities.
- Plan, facilitate and evaluate annual Posse Plus Retreats at partner colleges and universities.
- Plan and attend graduation ceremonies at partner colleges and universities.
Qualities/Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree required.
- Experience working with youth; facilitation experience; counseling experience; and two years previous work experience desired.
- Experience working one-on-one with high school and college aged students.
- Excellent demonstrated skills in writing, communication, presentation, and time management.
- Ability to organize, manage, prioritize, and complete multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to relate to and interact with high-school and college-aged participants from diverse backgrounds.
- Must be enthusiastic, possess a strong work ethic, be able to work independently and as part of a team, and serve as a positive role model for Posse Scholars and staff.
- Knowledge of Houston Public high schools.
- Willing and able to travel throughout year (current driver’s license strongly preferred).
- Computer skills (MS Word and Excel, internet research, email, etc.).
- Demonstrated belief in Posse’s mission and values.
Cover letter
In your cover letter, please share in detail how Posse’s mission and goals intersect with your previous work experience. In addition, please share your thoughts on the importance of diversity within a higher educational setting.
Salary commensurate with experience.
How to Apply:
Please send résumé and covers letter to:
No Phone Calls Please.
Deadline for submission of application is April 23, 2012.
The Posse Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. For more information about The Posse Foundation please visit www.possefoundation.org.