Planning Assistant Ii - Gear

Position: PLANNING ASSISTANT II - GEAR UP
Job Summary

The Planning Assistant II, GEAR UP, under the supervision of Coordinator III, GEAR UP, provides direct support to the GEAR UP initiative at the school level for Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS)

This position is funded through a grant, and continuation of the position is contingent upon continued funding.

Salary Range: $57,773.45 - $80,138.45 (works 260 days or 12 month)

How To Apply

Administrative applications for the following position is being accepted by the Office of Human Resources through 11:59pm on Wednesday February 25, 2026.

A current resume must be attached to the completed application. If you are selected for the next stage of the interview process, you will be asked by email from careers.wi.us to request electronic professional references.

ALL candidates must attach transcripts confirming a bachelor's degree. No applications will be accepted after the deadline date and time.

If you are unable to electronically attach these documents, you must notify Zennia Zivkovic in human resources via email .us that you are sending hard copies which must be received on or before the deadline date listed above.

Appointment is subject to a criminal background check, a drug/alcohol test and credential verification.

Conditions of Employment

Working Environment:

• Typical office or school environment
• Position may be required to work additional hours, outside of the normal business day as a regular part of the job.

Qualifications

Job Requirements:

Education Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in education, social services, psychology, or a related field from an accredited college or university.

Experience Requirements:

• Two or more years of experience working with underserved students in an urban
  environment, particularly in an urban school setting.
• Experience with pre-college programs, school counseling, college advising/success or in college admissions.

Knowledge,

Skills and Abilities

:

• Effective oral and written communication and presentation skills are required.
• Must be able to work with diverse individuals across the organization.
• Knowledge of contemporary educational theories and practices.
• Knowledge of college entrance processes and success factors, and ability to counsel students to be prepared to gain entry into college, thrive, and graduate.
• Knowledge of and sensitivity to the needs of underserved students in a large urban school system.
• Oral communication, presentation, and outreach skills.
• Written communication skills.
• Interpersonal, listening, and customer service skills.
• Ability to coordinate and facilitate meetings among varied groups to work toward a common goal.
• Ability to plan, organize, and accomplish work; ability to manage multiple assignments simultaneously.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Judgment and decision-making skills.
• Ability to prepare reports and maintain accurate records.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality

Responsibilities

Essential Functions/ Core Competencies:

• Leads day-to-day implementation of GEAR UP programs and services at assigned schools to ensure fidelity to grant goals and student outcomes.
• Provides one-on-one and group advising, mentoring, and academic/career readiness support to students in grades 4-13.
• Collaborates with school principals, staff, school counselors, College and Career Center Advisors, families, students, and community partners to coordinate and deliver high-quality college and career readiness activities.
• Supports the integration of rigorous college preparation coursework and college-going culture within school programming, with a focus on sustaining practices beyond the seven-year grant cycle.
• Plans, coordinates, and facilitates student, family, and school-based events that promote academic achievement, college readiness, dual enrollment, and postsecondary access.
• Works with community agencies and grant partners to align services and resources provided at GEAR UP school sites.
• Participates in GEAR UP team meetings and meetings with school leadership to assess needs, identify supports, and strengthen implementation.
• Produces and disseminates materials and resources for advising, mentoring, staff development, parent workshops, and student programming related to postsecondary pathways and financial aid.
• Provides ongoing support to the Coordinator III, GEAR UP, and Supervisor, College Access as needed.
• Maintains accurate, complete records and program data, including services delivered, event schedules, meeting notes, and participation documentation.
• Ensures timely and effective distribution of supplies, materials, and information to schools and partners.
• Supports continuous improvement practices, troubleshooting challenges, and proposing solutions to strengthen student impact.
• Serve as a chaperone for regular and extended field trips related to the GEAR UP grant.
• Attend required GEAR UP trainings, meetings, and conferences.
• Actively supports the mission and priorities of the MPS Strategic Plan.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Milwaukee Public Schools does not…