Mission & Vision

ILI MISSION – ILI’s mission is to advance Latino educational attainment and workforce preparedness statewide through advocacy, leadership development, and culturally responsive programming.

ILI VISION – ILI envisions a thriving and proud Latino community in Indiana, benefitting from its education attainment and career opportunities, and civically and economically contributing to the communities in which they live. In reaching the Indiana Latino community’s vision, ILI will serve as a trusted voice and a catalyst for change on all aspects of education, workforce preparedness, and other pressing issues affecting Latino Hoosiers.

Position: Director of College Access

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Director of College Access advances ILI’s mission by increasing college preparedness of Latino students, and their admission into postsecondary institutions. The Director will design, execute, carry out, and assess plans that promote attainment of those two objectives. This collaborative work will include a special focus on Latino high schoolers in mid-density and rural counties, and on building the capacity and overseeing the work of partner organizations to reach those students. The Director will coordinate the work with ILI colleagues, will manage aspects of the K-12 School Districts Consortium, will oversee college access staff, interns, and volunteers, and will contribute to and assess organizational goals and objectives. The position is located in the ILI office on North Meridian Street, Indianapolis.

Candidate Qualifications

Working with school districts, community-based organizations, state agencies, and other partners, the Director of College Access will advance ILI’s work encouraging more Latino students to prepare for postsecondary opportunities, to apply for financial aid, and to apply for admission into postsecondary institutions. The candidate’s qualifications include the following:

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in education, teaching, school guidance, or related field; experience in those areas may be considered in lieu of a major in one of those fields.
• An advanced degree in education administration, teaching, public policy, or related field is preferred.
• Experience teaching or working in high schools, advising Latino students to pursue postsecondary opportunities.
• Knowledge of barriers or obstacles Latino students face in pursuing college education, and an understanding of Latino families’ roles.
• Creative in identifying and reaching target audiences with campaigns that engage, inform, and motivate.
• Experience managing partnerships with schools or other organizations, working collaboratively with community-based organizations and diverse communities.
• Experience interacting with senior officials from external organizations and public sector, and preparing and executing presentations and workshops (including curricula) for that audience.
• Familiarity with event planning.
• Experience managing grants and reporting on grant metrics.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with competency in preparing media statements, reports, letters, and other official communication, and demonstrated experience presenting to large and small groups and working with media.
• Skillful in office software products, such as Microsoft Word, CRM tools, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Google Sheets/Forms/Docs digital communication tools and audio/visual conferencing,
• Must have reliable transportation and valid driver’s license.
• Deep understanding of the Latino culture and community.
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish preferred.
• Outstanding interpersonal, communication and teamwork skills, including the ability to communicate well with stakeholders at all levels.
• Maintain discretion with confidential information.

Requisite Candidate Traits

The ideal candidate will possess the following traits:

• Interpersonal skills and ability to effectively work with a diverse set of individuals, both internally and externally while representing the organization.
• Dynamic and credible public speaking and written communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Works well independently and in a cross-functional group.
• Positive attitude and strong work ethic.
• Flexibility to accommodate time-sensitive issues as they arise.
• Ability to multi-task, prioritizing competing projects and assignments.
• Committed to elevating and enhancing capacity of the Indiana Latino community.
• High-energy, self-motivated individual who takes initiative with a positive outlook and can manage change.
• Strong strategic, creative, and analytical thinker, demonstrating innovative methods for outreach.
• A natural problem solver who can efficiently grasp and act on the big picture, quickly analyze the root causes and define new ways forward.
• Ability to chart a clear course, and work efficiently in a fast-paced environment will bring clarity to assigned complex projects.
• Competence in handling multiple tasks concurrently, and in discerning and prioritizing tasks.
• Eager to contribute and learn, and willing to help identify solutions independently.
• Personable and reliable in working with teams, and confidence to assign and oversee tasks conducted by senior staff and colleagues.
• Flexibility as ILI grows and position descriptions and organizational charts evolve.
• Ability to work well under pressure. 

Primary Roles and Responsabilities

This position will support the ILI President and CEO and COO and is principally responsible for: (1) promoting and increasing college preparation and access for Latino students, especially in rural and mid-density counties; (2) managing relationships with community partners and collaborating school districts to increase college-going rates of Latino high-school graduates, and (3) distilling and disseminating lessons learned and facilitate the institutionalization of evidence-based practices that improve pathways to postsecondary education. Specific duties and essential responsibilities for this position include:

• Contribute to ILI’s strategic goals and programmatic plans that advance the organizational mission.
  
• Create and execute plans with multiple partner organizations to drive upwards the college-going rates of Latinos.
• Manage individual and collective relationships with school districts, preparing and delivering technical training assistance at the K-12 School District Consortium and in webinars.
• Potentially oversee work and budgets of community partners receiving subgrants.
• Research topics and draft talking points.
• Supervise college access staff, interns, and volunteers, setting performance standards and conducting performance reviews.
• Co-plan, execute, and assess Education Summits and College and Career Fair and other ILI events that provide college preparation and admissions information to Latino youth and their families, securing venues, making travel arrangements, and completing other details.
• Support event-logistics planning, such as the Education Consortiums, Hispanic Heritage lunch, Legislative Breakfast, and others.
• Represent ILI at community and education events.
• Maintain adequate safeguards for privacy and confidentiality of participants’
  information.
• Prepare progress reports for funders and the ILI board, and research information for grant proposals, web portal, and other conduits of information.
• Provide creative approaches to promoting and facilitation of program initiatives and events
• Available to work evenings and weekends as needed.
• Available to travel across the state as needed to help foster statewide partnerships.
• Lift up to 40 pounds, carrying boxes, publications, equipment, supplies, signage, and more. As with any ILI position, the Director of College Access will temporarily or permanently conduct other tasks as assigned for the overall benefit of the organization.

Salary

• Starting Salary Range $68,000.00-$73,000.00
• Salary will be determined based on experience and qualifications
• Regular opportunities for yearly raises and potential bonuses based on performance

ILI Benefits 

• ILI offers a competitive salary.
• 100% premium for Health Care, Dental and Vision.
• 100% premium for Life Insurance
• Retirement Plan match
• PTO (20 days)
• 10 paid Holidays

Interest in This Opportunity 

Candidates interested in this opportunity should submit a cover letter, a resume, and the names and contact information for three references (names of two professional and one character reference) to ILI Chief Operating Officer Dr. Danny Mendez at: dmendez@indianalatinoinstitute.org

References will be contacted if and when the candidate is a finalist for the position.

Position will remain open until filled. 

Mission & Vision

ILI MISSION – Indiana Latino Institute’s mission is to advance Latino educational attainment and workforce preparedness statewide through advocacy, leadership development, and culturally responsive programming.

ILI VISION –ILI envisions a thriving and proud Latino community in Indiana, benefiting from its education attainment and career opportunities, and civically and economically contributing to the communities in which they live. In reaching the Indiana Latino community’s vision, ILI will serve as a trusted voice and a catalyst for change on all aspects of education, workforce preparedness, and other pressing issues affecting Latino Hoosiers.

Position: Director of Education Policy

The Director of Education Policy develops ILI’s strategic positions on pressing issues and policy solutions, and plans, administers, and assesses ILI’s outreach efforts to policymakers, community leaders, institutional administrators, and partners, and other stakeholders. Additionally, the Director collaborates with colleagues, monitors and advances policy proposals, conducts research, represents ILI in policy meetings and in traditional and social media, plans events, is a steward of funds, conducts external relations, and completes other projects to further the organization’s goals and objectives.

Supervised by ILI’s Chief Operating Officer, the Director provides organizational guidance and strategic advice as appropriate. The position is based in Indianapolis.

Candidate Qualifications

The ideal candidate for the Director of Education Policy position will possess the following qualifications:

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree, with a graduate degree preferred, from an accredited university in public policy, education, public administration, law, social work, youth development, or a field related to aspects of the job.
• Experience working in or collaborating with programs that increase student success, especially in secondary and higher education sectors, with management experience preferred.
• Experience with or a deep understanding of how policy is enacted and how.
  communities participate, with prior employment experience with a policymaker preferred.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills for conducting research, writing reports, and conveying information in small and large groups.
• Experience working collaboratively with community-based organizations and diverse communities, and managing and conducting community advocacy and outreach.
• Record of interactions with elected leaders and/or senior officials from external organizations.
• Experience overseeing staff, and stewarding departmental budgets.
• Experience managing foundation-sponsored programs, writing proposals and reports and cultivating relationships with funders, and familiarity with event planning
• Knowledge of the barriers inhibiting student success, and of policies and practices that improve student achievement, including college financial aid and career development opportunities for college students (such as 21st Century Scholars Program, Pell eligibility, DACA, and undocumented student issues)
• Strong skills in planning, delegation, and critical thinking
• Non-profit work experience preferred
• Deep understanding of the Latino culture and community
• Skillful in office software products, such as Microsoft Word, CRM tools, and audio/visual conferencing
• Must have reliable transportation and valid driver’s license and meet state required automobile insurance minimums

Requisite Candidate Traits

• Superior interpersonal skills and ability to work with a diverse set of individuals, both internally and externally while representing the organization.
• Strong public speaking and written communication skills.
• Confidence when interacting with policymakers, university presidents, community leaders, and other key stakeholders.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Works well independently and/or in a cross-functional group.
• Positive attitude and strong work ethic.
• Flexibility to accommodate time-sensitive issues as they arise.
• Ability to multi-task, prioritizing competing projects and assignments.
• Interested in eliminating education disparities in the Indiana Latino Community.
• High-energy individual who takes initiative with a positive outlook and can manage change.
• Demonstrates the ability to take the initiative on developing creative and innovative methods for outreach. 

Primary Roles and Responsabilities

The Director of Education Policy will be responsible for the following initiatives tasks outlined in organizational plans and grants received: (1) strengthen ILI’s external outreach to community leaders, organizational heads, and policymakers, particularly in education; (2) collaboratively develop ILI’s annual legislative agenda and track its progress; (3) advance the ILI Higher Education Consortium’s efforts to facilitate postsecondary reforms; (4) advance the ILI K-12 School Districts Consortium’s efforts to facilitate elementary and secondary-school reforms; (5) organize events and serve as an on the-record representative for the organization; and (6) conduct qualitative and qualitative research and publish documents with findings and recommendations. With data and an amplified more united voice, ILI will be able to better present policy and best practices solutions on behalf of Indiana’s growing but disproportionately under-educated and indigent Latino population.

Specific duties and essential skills for this position include:

• Contribute to and carry out the organization’s strategic goals and plans
• Soliciting input on advocacy platform from Latinos through e-polling and at town-hall meetings throughout the state,
• Strengthening the connections between ILI and other Latino-serving groups and stakeholders
• Solicit input and publish the annual ILI legislative agenda covering pressing issues for Latino Hoosiers
• Advance the ILI Higher Education Consortium’s work, facilitating information sharing between universities and providing information on evidence-based programs nationally recognized
• Advance the ILI K-12 School District Consortium work, facilitating information sharing between school corporations and providing information on evidence-based programs nationally recognized
• Partner with universities/colleges administrators, school districts, and organizational
• leaders to advance the ILI Advocacy Programs, managing the Advocacy advisory group and contributing to the annual policy recommendations
• Ability to manage a team when necessary
• Create, execute, administer, and evaluate programs and events
• Train employees, interns, and volunteers, ensuring policies are followed
• Organize, execute, and evaluate training and informational workshops, both in-person and virtual
• Represent ILI at community and Advocacy events
• Participate as needed in other ILI events, such as the Hispanic Heritage Month event and the College and Career Summit
• Maintain adequate safeguards for privacy and confidentiality of participants’ information.
• Prepare grant reports and information for grant proposals
• Provide creative approaches to promoting and facilitation of program initiatives and events
• Available to work evenings and weekends as needed, especially during legislative sessions
• Perform other duties as assigned
  

Salary

• Starting Salary Range $68,000.00-$73,000.00
• Salary will be determined based on experience and qualifications
• Regular opportunities for yearly raises and potential bonuses based on performance

ILI Benefits 

• ILI offers a competitive salary.
• 100% premium for Health Care, Dental and Vision.
• 100% premium for Life Insurance
• Retirement Plan match
• PTO (20 days)
• 10 paid Holidays

Interest in This Opportunity 

Candidates interested in this opportunity should submit a cover letter, a resume, and the names and contact information for three references (names of two professional and one character reference) to ILI Chief Operating Officer Dr. Danny Mendez at: dmendez@indianalatinoinstitute.org

References will be contacted if and when the candidate is a finalist for the position.

Position will remain open until filled.