We're Hiring | By Degrees Foundation

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

By Degrees Program Manager, North High School

Join our team!

By Degrees works to ensure more students graduate from high school ready for college, careers, and our community by creating innovative, long-term programs that help students and their families navigate the complex pathway from kindergarten through high school graduation and beyond. Our organization supports entire schools by building systemic supports that enable students to reach their full potential.

Position posted: Monday, September 2, 2025
Applications will be accepted until Monday, September 22, 2025
To apply, please send a cover letter, resume and answers to supplemental questions (below) to jobs@bydegreesfoundation.org

Position Summary

By Degrees is hiring a second Program Manager that will work at North High School. This new position will be responsible for expanding and strengthening programs focused on financial capacity building and economic stability, including student- and family-facing programming on financial literacy, coordinating events and supports related to budgeting and financial decision-making, and helping students navigate key postsecondary financial processes (such as FAFSA completion, understanding the costs of diverse postsecondary pathways, and exploring funding options for college or career training).

This Program Manager will work closely with the existing Program Manager who maintains programs focused on college and career readiness.

Daily activities will reinforce a strong culture of college, careers, and community within North High School, while equipping students with the financial knowledge needed to achieve their postsecondary goals.

This position offers a starting salary of $58,000 - $70,000 depending on experience. In addition, By Degrees offers full benefits (see “Why By Degrees” below for details).

Research shows that women and people from underrepresented groups often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that someone meets 100% of the qualifications for a role. If much of this job description describes you, please apply.

Essential Accountabilities Include (but not limited to):

Identify Needs & Collaborate on Solutions: Work with the By Degrees Program Manager - Postsecondary/Career Programs, North High leadership, counselors, and the By Degrees Programming and Executive Teams to identify school and student needs and co-develop responsive solutions.
Integrate Financial Life Skills Into Classroom Activities: Design and implement classroom enrichment activities focused on real-world financial skills (such as budgeting, banking, credit, insurance, taxes, and planning for major purchases) to equip students with the tools needed for financial independence after high school.
Support Postsecondary Navigation and Affordability: Help students and families understand and apply for scholarships, grants, and loans. Provide direct FAFSA assistance (including completing the FAFSA Professional certification) and help students compare aid packages to make informed, cost-conscious decisions.
Promote 529 Awareness and Usage: Work closely with the By Degrees 529 Program Specialist to manage North High’s 529 savings accounts, support student access and withdrawals, and increase usage through early, consistent engagement, with a particular focus on seniors as they finalize postsecondary plans.
Provide Ongoing Postsecondary Support: Develop a strategy to support graduates after high school, including tracking enrollment, facilitating 529 withdrawals, and maintaining communication with alumni.
Strengthen Community Partnerships: In collaboration with the Postsecondary/Career Program Manager, support and grow community partnerships to address student needs such as food, housing, clothing, and wellness.

The ideal candidate:

Has a bachelor’s degree
5+ years of experience working in or with public schools
Can build strong relationships with students, teachers, administrators, partners, and community leaders
Has experience working with traditionally under-resourced youth in some capacity
Loves deadlines and details
Can manage lots of different projects simultaneously
Has experience working with financial aid, FAFSA, postsecondary navigation, and/or financial wellness
Is excited to work with a small team doing great work
Can effectively communicate with many different stakeholders
Is a strong writer and is comfortable speaking in large groups
Is proficient communicating in Spanish

To apply:

Submit your resume, cover letter, and responses to supplemental questions (below) to jobs@bydegreesfoundation.org
Any offer of employment will be contingent upon a motor vehicle record check and state/federal background check

Supplemental questions:

What would you uniquely bring to this role? (200 words max)
What are some key components of building a culture of college, career, and community for students who are the first in their family to pursue postsecondary education? (200 words max)
How can your manager help you achieve your goals? (7 bullet points max)
How would you help students develop the financial understanding and confidence needed to pursue and complete a postsecondary pathway? (200 words max)

Why choose By Degrees Foundation?

By Degrees partners with whole schools to increase high school graduation and postsecondary readiness rates on Des Moines' northside. Our work begins in kindergarten and follows students through high school graduation, ensuring they’re immersed in an expansive culture of postsecondary education, career exploration and future-focused planning throughout their K-12 experience.

We build intentional partnerships with our schools, community organizations, businesses and postsecondary institutions to uplift students, families and whole neighborhoods.

In addition to a competitive salary, members of our team receive:

11-month schedule with July off
Generous paid vacation, holidays, and sick time
Paid volunteer time off
401k match up to 5% of salary

By Degrees Foundation is an equal opportunity organization and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, skin color, gender, national origin, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental abilities, genetic information, pregnancy, disability, age, family or marital status, veteran status or other characteristic protected by applicable. By Degrees Foundation will consider qualified candidates with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the role requirements and any applicable local, state, and Federal law.