National Math Stars

Role: Family Advisor
Reports to: Head of Programs
Salary: $70,000 - $80,000 with a $2,000 stipend for candidates with fluency in writing and speaking Spanish
Status: Full-time
Location: Remote but must live in Texas as this position will require travel to visit families across the state (approximately 25% travel).

Who We Are: National Math Stars ensures mathematically extraordinary students from all communities have the resources they need to reach the frontiers of math and science. Once a student becomes a National Math Star, we work closely with them and their families over a 10-year journey, from elementary through high school, to provide them with extraordinary scholarships, individualized guidance, and mentoring to achieve exceptional outcomes. We launched with our first cohort of 60 students from across Texas this Fall and plan on launching in new states and adding additional cohorts in Texas annually.

Role Overview: As a Family Advisor for National Math Stars, you are the first and most frequent point of contact for our families and Stars. You will work closely with approximately 30 families on your caseload from their acceptance to their graduation from the program, meeting with them monthly or as needed to provide invaluable support throughout their 10-year journey with us. With each family, you will customize support based on their goals and needs. The support you will provide will include partnering with them to advocate for accommodations and support in their schools, assisting them in managing their allotted enrichment budgets, helping them find and access incredible STEM extracurricular and summer opportunities, and providing them with a holistic view of their child’s experience and opportunities in the program. As a family advisor, you will develop the most trust and strongest relationships with our families and Stars and have the ability to positively impact their journey for years to come.

We anticipate the start date for this role to be in early to mid-January. Although this is a remote position, candidates for this role must live in Texas.

Key Responsibilities:
The family advisor’s key responsibilities fall under the following categories:

1) Monthly Advising Meetings

      • Manage and support a caseload of approximately 30 families
      • Conduct a minimum of one advisory meeting with each family each month (Note that some of these meetings will require advisors to be available during evenings and weekends to accommodate our family’s needs)
      • Co-create individualized goals and plans with each Star and their family and track their progress towards these goals
      • Are available to families as needed via email, text, or phone call for questions or concerns related to the program or support they are seeking
      • Assist families in connecting with external resources (e.g. mental health providers or housing assistance) when the support they require falls beyond our program's scope of services
      • Schedule family meetings with appropriate program staff
      • Track relevant data to ensure that families are meeting the minimum commitment requirements for the program
      • Provide families with constant encouragement and support for their child to continue to succeed on their journey with National Math Star

      2) Financial and Enrichment Support

        • Pack and deliver welcome packs to families at the beginning of every year
        • Partner with families to ensure their annual budget funds are spent in alignment with their child’s STEM interests and goals and allow their child to participate in STEM enrichment opportunities during the school year and summer
        • Manage a contingency budget and assist in determining when to use it for families who may face additional obstacles for their child to fully participate in our program (e.g. childcare, transportation, etc.)
        • Support families in navigating the STEM enrichment space by helping them identify opportunities for their child
        • Partner with families on completing applications and financial aid applications (as necessary) for STEM enrichment and summer programs
        • Work with STEM enrichment providers to finalize registrations and manage payments for our Stars’ participation in their programs
        • Build partnerships with STEM enrichment providers across the state to expand the opportunities available for our Stars

        3) Math Development Progress

          • Check in regularly with math mentors and math course instructors to stay updated on each Star’s progress in their math mentoring and math courses
          • Communicate any required updates from math mentors and math courses to families

          4) School Advocacy and Selection

            • Build relationships with each Star’s school to understand the current support and academic program designed for our Stars
            • Partner with families to support any school advocacy conversations such as those involving math acceleration, testing and participation in gifted and/or special education programs, and supports or accommodations required for our Stars to be successful in their schools
            • Support families in researching and selecting schools at key transition points (e.g. elementary to middle school) or when families are seeking a transition for other reasons

            5) Building and Nurturing Community

              • Moderate family discussion forums
              • Assist the Head of Programs to organize and run in-person and virtual family events
              • Assist the Head of Programs to create monthly family newsletters highlighting key program updates and celebrations
              • Assist in regularly adding to and updating a database of important resources for families

              Skills and Experience:

              • Deep empathy and ability to develop trusting relationships with children and families from diverse backgrounds and experiences
              • Passion for and experience working with diverse families in education-related settings
              • Excitement for our mission and goals
              • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
              • High level of autonomy and relentless drive to get things done
              • Strong organizational skills
              • Basic familiarity with managing small budgets
              • Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends for family advising meetings and events
              • A valid Texas driver’s license
              • Bilingual English/Spanish written and speaking is preferred but not required. We will offer a $2,000 stipend for candidates with fluency in writing and speaking Spanish.
              • Experience with gifted and special education programs and policies is preferred but not required
              • Background in advanced mathematics is preferred but not required
              • Understanding of the STEM enrichment space in Texas is preferred but not required

              Compensation and Benefits:

              • The salary range for this role is $70,000-$80,000
              • $2,000 one-time home office stipend
              • $2,000 bilingual stipend for Spanish-speaking candidates
              • 5% non-elective contribution to 401K
              • Comprehensive Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life insurance coverage with 99% employer contribution

              We value and encourage diversity and solicit applications from all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, gender identity, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.