Housing Authority of the City of High Point Hiring for Education Navigator at High Point, NC Full Time

SUMMARY:

The purpose of the Education Navigator is to assist the Housing Authority of the City of High Point’s (HPHA) Public Housing program participants with FAFSA completion, college readiness and financial literacy, post-secondary program applications and addressing “summer melt” and helping college-interested youth follow-through.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The statements below are intended to describe the general nature and scope of work being performed by this position. This is not a complete listing of all responsibilities, duties and/or skills required. Other duties may be assigned.

The Education Navigators’ workload will comprise four roles aimed at supporting access and completion of higher education in terms of student readiness, applications, financing, and persistence. It is expected that the nature of the work and amount of time allocated to each of the four task areas will change with the natural seasonality of the program. The Education Navigator’s primary focus during the fall will be on FAFSA completion, and they will emphasize the other roles outlined below to varying degrees throughout the year, as follows:

1. FAFSA Completion (Fall): Education Navigators will help program participants (and their families, as needed) to complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in a timely fashion after the opening of the application period on October 1. Participants who submit the FAFSA early in the fall can learn their financial aid eligibility before applying to and enrolling in postsecondary programs. Education Navigators will advise program participants on the purpose of the FAFSA as well as provide information and assistance on specific tasks required for filling it out, such as identifying what documents are necessary for FAFSA completion and who would likely have those documents. As needed, and where possible, Education Navigators will assist participants with overcoming any obstacles encountered during the FAFSA completion process. For participants that are already postsecondary youth, Navigators will also assist in the process needed for annual FAFSA renewal. Education Navigators will focus on the annual FAFSA periods.

2. College Readiness and Financial Literacy (Year-Round): Through interaction with program participants, Education Navigators will help program participants understand and assess their college and postsecondary program readiness, including assistance with time-management skills, note-taking skills, confidence-building skills, and achievement motivation beginning during the junior year of high school. As appropriate to participants’ stage of engagement with the postsecondary education application process, Education Navigators will provide basic financial literacy information to help youth make informed decisions, such as information regarding how to compare the expected benefits of a postsecondary education program with its projected costs; the difference between grants, scholarships, and loans; and, if needed, an overview of basic banking tools for managing income and expenses. For program participants who may need to take out loans to help pay for postsecondary programs, Education Navigators will provide relevant information, such as how to evaluate the amount to borrow, types of loans (including how to avoid risky forms of credit or offers targeting higher education youth), interest rates, repayment options, and the importance of building and maintaining good credit.

3. Postsecondary Program Applications (Fall/Winter/Spring): Navigators will counsel program participants on factors to consider when selecting a college (including, but not limited to, the financial factors discussed above) and support program participants as they begin narrowing their options. Navigators will assist in completing necessary paperwork and navigating administrative hurdles to application and enrollment. They will identify and document scholarship and other support services and opportunities in the community and refer program participants as appropriate.

4. Addressing “SummerMelt” and Helping College-Interested Youth follow Through (Spring/Summer/Fall): Navigators will help program participants complete necessary steps to actually enroll in college after being accepted and applying for financial aid. These tasks include understanding and paying term bills; budgeting for college expenses such as textbooks; responding to colleges’ correspondence and completing necessary forms; and enrolling in summer bridge programs as appropriate.

Other essential duties and responsibilities include:

• Document and monitor all related programs and services
• Assist with the preparation of the program budget
• Perform/coordinate report preparation, file maintenance and documentation
• Counsel students and parents in constructing attainable scholastic and career goals
• Communicate with HPHA students, accept referrals from Property managers and develop action plan for students
• Successfully accomplish benchmarks, goals and objectives for residents as recommended and/or assigned

Performs other duties as assigned

Education and/or Experience

Navigator will be expected to read and digest materials provided by HUD and also consider communicating with other Navigators to build a model to adequately address the four roles listed above. Such a model is likely to require the performance of tasks such as: developing expertise in FAFSA, college, and financial aid application processes; creating external partnerships as needed, e.g., with local secondary schools, educational and/or financial literacy service providers, and institutions of higher education; and building trust and productive relationships with resident youth, families and the broader community in the PHA. Additionally, Navigators will be expected to participate in webinars sponsored by HUD or one of its partners/stakeholders. These webinars will focus in the use of available materials to promote FAFSA awareness and support FAFSA completion.

Navigator will be expected to serve program participants in the treatment group, and their families, in a full-time capacity. Program participants will be located across multiple AMPs within a PHA, as the treatment group will consist of eligible residents living in whichever AMPs are randomly selected by HUD from a list furnished by the PHA. In PHAs with multiple Navigators, the Navigators will likely be serving different groups of program participants in different AMPs within the same PHA.

Bachelor’s degree in education, social work or other youth service delivery settings, or related field required with Master’s degree preferred. Three (3) to five (5) years’ experience in educational, counseling, preferably dealing with low-income families. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Possession of a valid, North Carolina driver’s license and the ability to be insurable under the Agency’s automobile insurance plan at the standard rate.

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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is generally required to maintain a stationary position. Daily movements include sitting; standing; operating computers and other office equipment; repetitive keyboarding; reaching and grasping; moving about the office; interacting with non-HPHA personnel; and attending onsite and offsite meetings. The employee must be able to exchange information in person, in writing, and via e-mail, and telephone. The employee may occasionally transport up to 30 – 50 pounds.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Position generally works in either a standard, climate-controlled, office environment or at off-site venues, such as the Agency’s housing communities. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

The Housing Authority of the City of High Point is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Housing Authority of the City of High Point will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Job Type: Full-time

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• On call
• Weekend availability

Application Question(s):

• Are you available to work between the hours of 8 am – 6 pm or after hours to ensure the success of the programs?

License/Certification:

• Driver’s License (Preferred)

Work Location: One location