Hybrid Education Specialist bei Northside Achievement Zone

Description

The Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ) is a bold and innovative collaborative effort to close the achievement gap in the geographic “Zone” of North Minneapolis. The purpose of our work is to end multigenerational poverty in our community, using education as a lever. We use a data-driven, evidence-based, achievement-focused model in which both children and their families move through a “cradle-to-career” ecosystem that provides comprehensive support. NAZ is a leading initiative in the national Promise Neighborhoods and cradle to college/career movement. As NAZ learns what works with families in North Minneapolis to address complex issues related to urban poverty, strategies are being set up for replication and informing the regional, state, and national field.

Position Purpose

NAZ is implementing a new position for the “Year of The Scholar,” Education Specialist. This position will be held by an individual who supports the mission, vision, and values of Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ) and serves as a contributing member of the NAZ staff, collaborating effectively with team members, partners, families, and scholars. This role is a key driver of NAZ’s High School Through College (HSTC) strategy, which focuses on ensuring that every scholar has a clear, actionable pathway to high school graduation and postsecondary success.

The Education Specialist will work closely with high school scholars to analyze transcripts, track graduation progress, plan credit recovery where needed, and support course selection aligned to future goals. They will connect scholars to resources that help them navigate college pathways, financial aid processes, scholarship opportunities, and career exploration. This position also plays a vital role in designing and delivering college and career readiness activities—such as workshops, college fairs, campus visits, and job shadowing experiences—to build a strong bridge from high school into college, trades, or career programs.

Primary Responsibilities

Duties of this job include, but are not limited to:

• Supporting NAZ’s High School Through College (HSTC) framework by helping scholars build individualized postsecondary plans via success planning that outline their academic trajectory, graduation timeline, and next steps after high school.
• Conducting regular transcript reviews, GPA tracking, and graduation audits with scholars and families to ensure on-time completion of requirements and alignment with postsecondary goals.
• Assisting scholars in navigating college pathways, including understanding admissions criteria, dual enrollment options, standardized testing timelines, and scholarship/financial aid resources.
• Leading and co-facilitating college and career readiness initiatives, such as workshops, college and career fairs, campus visits, internship connections, and job shadowing opportunities, to expand scholar access and exposure.
• Utilizing assessment data and school records to inform individualized interventions for scholars, ensuring targeted support for academic proficiency and college/career readiness.
• Communicating regularly with parents, families, and school staff about scholar progress toward graduation and postsecondary benchmarks.

Partner and Staff Collaboration

• Working collaboratively with NAZ teams and school-based partners to deliver on HSTC outcomes, ensuring that scholars graduate prepared for college enrollment, career training programs, or direct-to-career pathways.
• Coordinating with community organizations, employers, and postsecondary institutions to build a network of career exploration and college access opportunities for NAZ scholars.

Skills and Abilities

• Results-oriented with a commitment to promoting and supporting scholar achievement.
• Strong ability to build close, motivating relationships with scholars and families through Success Planning, goal-setting, and positive reinforcement.
• Knowledge of or willingness to learn about the cultural and internal barriers to scholar success in academic settings.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills, particularly with scholars, families, educators, and community partners.
• Comfortable engaging with educators, OST partners, and parents in support of scholar success.
• Demonstrated belief in the potential of scholars in North Minneapolis to achieve meaningful success.
• Strong commitment to equitable education for all students.
• Creative, detail-oriented, and persistent in planning and organizing tasks.
• Highly effective interpersonal skills.
• Experience working with diverse learners in urban educational settings.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent AND a minimum of two (2) years’ experience in community organizing, youth development, or a related field—or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Direct experience working with high school-aged scholars on academic planning, graduation tracking, and postsecondary access.
• Ability to read and interpret high school transcripts, credit requirements, and standardized testing data for success planning.
• Familiarity with college access supports (e.g., FAFSA, scholarships, dual enrollment, ACT/SAT prep, and local postsecondary options).
• Proven ability to build positive relationships with scholars, families, and school partners to support a college-going mindset and pathways to economic mobility.
• Proficiency with technology and data systems. Experience with Salesforce, Google Workspace, ZOOM, and Mac OS preferred but not required. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in education, youth development, or a related field—or equivalent experience.

Preferred Experience

• Knowledge of and connection to North Minneapolis communities and schools.
• Ability to motivate scholars within school settings to set and achieve academic goals.

Focus Area

• High School

Working Conditions and Physical Efforts

• This is a hybrid role, and the individual will complete a portion of their work onsite at NAZ Main Office or a Partner Site located in Minneapolis, MN.
• This position requires frequent walking, sitting, standing and use of stairs.
• Work is normally performed in an office setting, there is a requirement to participate in community and site led events occasionally. 
• Regular operation of normal office machines, use of computers and telephones.
• Occasional evenings and weekends are required.
• May require travel throughout North Minneapolis and surrounding areas. Access to reliable transportation with proof of insurance and valid driver’s license.

Benefits: We offer a comprehensive Benefits Package, including Health, Dental, Vision, Disability & Life Insurance; Health or Flexible Spending Accounts; Lifestyle Spending Account; Retirement Plan; generous Paid Time Off; Support for Professional Development, and more!

Note: NAZ is a qualified employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)

NAZ is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.