Outreach & Engagement Coordinator

Location: Colorado (Hybrid; local travel along the Urban Corridor/Front Range)

Who We Are

Zero Dropouts is dedicated to designing innovative student development opportunities in collaboration with school districts communities and students. Our mission is to cocreate solutions that recognize foster and unleash students unrealized potential so that their lives are transformed as they thrive in their education and work.

Next GED Online is designed to serve highly mobile students and those who face barriers to inperson learning. Highly mobile students include those who frequently move due to housing instability foster care placement or family circumstances as well as students experiencing homelessness justice engagement or mental and physical health challenges that make traditional schooling inaccessible. Many of our students balance work caregiving responsibilities or other commitments that require a more flexible educational model.

Unlike traditional online programs that can be isolating and entirely selfpaced Next GED Online is built to foster community and connection. Through a combination of flexible and personalized learning plans live instruction and ongoing support students engage with teachers peers and mentors in meaningful ways. Our relationshipbased approach ensures that students receive the academic and personal support they need to persist complete their education and transition successfully to postsecondary opportunities.

What We Believe

We Believe Mysteries are Opportunities
We are inspired to solve the deeply complex mysteries that face our world. Our innovative approach drives us to uncover hidden truths and create tailored solutions that address the unique challenges of our clients and communities.

We Believe in AntiDeficit Ideology
Antideficit ideology focuses on recognizing and valuing the strengths abilities and potential of individuals and communities rather than highlighting their shortcomings or deficiencies.

We Believe in a Sociocultural Model for Learning
People develop knowledge and skills through an active learning process that encourages interactions with teachers peers and their communities. We meet people where they are in their learning journeys centering their experiences and identities in the process to foster both independent learning and collaboration.

We Believe in a Power With Approach to Relationships
We use a power with approach that emphasizes collaboration mutual support and collective empowerment in our relationships with youth partners and each other. Instead of hierarchical or competitive dynamics it focuses on sharing power fostering partnerships and working together to achieve common goals.

We Believe Organizations are Living Systems
We believe that organizations and groups operate as dynamic living systems. This perspective emphasizes interdependence and collaboration fostering resilience and adaptability. By nurturing supportive relationships and collective growth we create conditions and environments where all members can thrive.

Who You Are

You are a relationshipbuilder deeply committed to working alongside young people and their communities in ways that honor their experiences strengths and potential. You believe every learner has value and you bring that belief into every conversation and connection.

Youre proactive and dependable with reliable transportation and a willingness to travel throughout the Front Range to meet students wherever they arewhether that means knocking on a door meeting at a bus stop or sitting down at a coffee shop. You understand that meaningful engagement starts with showing up and youre committed to building trust through presence consistency and followthrough.

You are highly organized and selfmotivated able to manage your time effectively while juggling multiple responsibilities in a fastpaced environment. You anticipate needs prioritize tasks and bring structure and clarity to dynamic and everchanging situations.

Youre techsavvy and reflective always looking for ways to improve systems and support. Above all you care about people. Youre not just here to enroll studentsyoure here to walk alongside them as they reclaim their power persist through challenges and move toward a future of their own design.

Your Responsibilities

Outreach & Recruitment

• Recruit students to Next GED Online based on school district and partner referrals.
• Facilitate enrollment meetings and orientations to ensure students are equipped with the knowledge skills and resources necessary to fully participate in a virtual learning community
• Reengage Next Online students with low (or no) attendance/engagement in coursework (phone calls social media messages home visits coffee shop appointments workplace dropbys family/friend contacts etc.)
• Invite students to DropIn Centers for communitybuilding enrichment experiences academic support testing etc. recognizing the importance of creating nurturing environments conducive to growth and development.
• As needed contact students on 40code lists to support (re)enrollment in appropriate school or program acknowledging the need for adaptive and responsive approaches within complex systems.
• Manage enrollment of students in both ZD program and appropriate school / district

Support & Engagement

• Provide students with technology and other resources needed to engage in virtual programming
• Create and maintain a schedule at designated DropIn Centers in assigned region (e.g. Denver Metro Northern Colorado Western Slope Central Mountains) in order to provide inperson support and foster a sense of belonging and interconnectedness within the community.
• Connect students with wraparound services and resources (e.g. mental health/counseling basic needs child care job placement services etc.) recognizing the importance of holistic support systems in fostering resilience and growth.
• Support students in developing and following their class schedules and engaging in synchronous or asynchronous learning opportunities
• Provide tutoring for individuals and small groups emphasizing collaborative and cooperative learning models
• Provide technical support and/or digital literacy skill development empowering individuals to navigate and thrive within technological landscapes sustainably.
• Coordinate and implement enrichment extracurricular servicelearning postsecondary exploration and/or communitybuilding experiences virtually at DropIn Centers and via field trips or excursions in order to promote interconnectedness and collective learning experiences within the community.
• Develop partnerships with potential ambassadors in the communities served to expand and support (re)engagement efforts when ZD staff is unavailable for inperson connections (e.g. community centers libraries workplaces popular hangouts etc.) recognizing the importance of decentralized leadership and community empowerment within regenerative organizations.

Assessment & Data Management

• Proctor GED Ready testing and arrange Official GED testing and mandated district assessments.
• Arrange transportation for students to Official testing locations as needed
• Support students who qualify with applying for accommodations through GEDTS
• Develop and monitor postsecondary exploration pathways and transitions for students.
• Work with data management systems to track student progress caseloads and engagement efforts.

Collaboration & Communication

• Work closely with Next GED Online and inperson Next teams to coordinate student referrals enrollments transitions wraparound supports and maintain alignment on engagement efforts.
• Utilize all available communication platforms (Outlook Teams Trello etc.) to engage with coworkers students and other stakeholders in a timely manner consistent with professional expectations.
• Participate in ZD meetings teambuilding experiences and professional development activities
• Develop district and community partnerships through participation in community events to support program improvements student recruitment postsecondary opportunities extracurricular/enrichment experiences servicelearning projects etc.
• Provide insights and analysis on program impact and effectiveness to inform future funding opportunities.
• Participate on Zero Dropouts Design Teams for product development as necessary and appropriate

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Two or more years of college
• Two or more years of experience working with adolescents or adults from diverse backgrounds as well as their families and support networks
• Experience working with traumaimpacted individuals or communities with sensitivity to the unique needs and challenges they may face.
• Knowledge of traumainformed approaches to communication engagement and support.
• Strong assertive salestype skills with the ability to initiate conversations about school by either cold calling or directly approaching students inperson
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to adapt to evolving program needs and requirements or shifting priorities in a dynamic fastpaced environment.
• Computer skills in Google and Microsoft applications
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to engage diverse audiences effectively while maintaining sensitivity and empathy.
• Ability to find and stay informed about beneficial resources for youth throughout the geographic areas where DropIn Centers are located
• Demonstrated appreciation of clear and appropriate boundaries with youth
• Dependable transportation and insurance
• Passionate and committed belief that youth can rise above seemingly insurmountable obstacles and return to school graduate and enter into postsecondary education or the workforce
• Empathy patience and a genuine commitment to supporting learners educational goals

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bilingual English and Spanish
• Bachelors degree in education human services psychology social work counseling or other related field
• Previous experience in outreach community engagement or educationrelated roles
• Knowledge of virtual learning platforms and educational technology
• Working knowledge of the areas where DropIn Centers are located including school districts community colleges businesses and communitybased organizations
• Knowledge of the GED
• Experience working with adolescents or adults in an educational setting

WORK SCHEDULE This is a fulltime position with demanding goals which may sometimes require longer hours and flexible scheduling.

SALARY This is an exempt position with a starting salary of $56485

BENEFITS Company 401k plan with Employer Contribution Match Medical Dental & Vision Coverage Paid Time Off (Sick Time Holidays Flexible Vacation). This position is not PERA eligible.

HOW TO APPLY Follow this link to you have any questions please contact HR