Reentry Hub Academic Career Counselor

YMCA OF YONKERS INC•City of Yonkers, NY

2d•$24 - $26•Onsite

About The Position

The Academic & Career Counselor provides individualized educational guidance, career development, workforce readiness, and employment support through the YMCA of Yonkers Reentry & Healing Hub. The Hub is a newly established initiative funded by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) and serves justice-involved adults age 18 and older throughout Yonkers and Westchester County. The role helps participants address barriers to education and employment, develop marketable skills, and build pathways toward economic stability and community reintegration. Reporting to the Program Manager of the Reentry & Healing Hub, the counselor supports an evidence-based service model that integrates individualized service planning, academic advancement, workforce readiness, career counseling, vocational training, employment placement, and community partnerships. The counselor works with the Reentry & Behavioral Support Social Worker, Program Coordinator, and community partners to coordinate services suited to participants’ circumstances, strengths, and goals. As a founding team member, the counselor also helps establish educational and workforce services, participant engagement practices, partnerships, and documentation procedures. The position is primarily based at 17 Riverdale Avenue in Yonkers, with local community visits, employer and educational institution meetings, and outreach as needed. Work includes individual participant meetings, group facilitation, office-based documentation, and community-based coordination. The schedule may include occasional evenings or weekends to meet participant and program needs.

Requirements

An associate degree is listed in the job details; the qualifications section prefers a bachelor’s degree in education, counseling, human services, social work, psychology, workforce development, or a related field, while allowing an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience to be considered.
A minimum of two years of relevant professional experience in academic advising, career counseling, workforce development, employment services, case management, or related community-based services is preferred.
Knowledge of adult education, high school equivalency programs, vocational training, workforce readiness practices, and employment development resources.
Strong interpersonal communication, organizational, problem-solving, and documentation skills.
Ability to maintain confidentiality, establish professional boundaries, and work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and electronic case management or reporting systems.
Ability to complete required program training and maintain current knowledge of educational and workforce development resources.
Ability to work in office, group-program, and community settings, use a computer, maintain records, and manage multiple participant needs.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with justice-involved adults, people facing employment barriers, or populations experiencing significant educational and economic challenges.
Experience providing individualized career guidance, facilitating workforce readiness workshops, and supporting educational or employment goal achievement.
Familiarity with criminal justice systems, community supervision, reentry programs, or alternatives-to-incarceration initiatives.
Ability to establish relationships with employers, educational institutions, workforce development agencies, and community partners.
Bilingual English/Spanish skills.

Responsibilities

Conduct individualized educational assessments and collaborate with participants and staff to establish educational goals within Individualized Service Plans (ISPs).
Assist participants in accessing adult basic education, high school equivalency programs, literacy services, vocational education, certification programs, and postsecondary opportunities.
Guide participants through educational applications, enrollment requirements, financial aid resources, tutoring, academic support, and digital literacy resources.
Monitor educational enrollment, participation, progress, and completion of academic milestones, and help address barriers to educational participation and achievement.
Conduct career assessments covering employment history, transferable skills, occupational interests, career goals, and workforce development needs.
Develop individualized career advancement plans with realistic short- and long-term employment objectives.
Provide workforce readiness services such as resume development, job search strategies, interview preparation, workplace communication, professional conduct, and employment retention skills.
Facilitate individual and group workshops on job readiness, career exploration, financial independence, and workplace expectations.
Help participants access occupational training, industry-recognized credentials, apprenticeships, internships, and employment opportunities.
Guide participants in completing employment applications, using online job platforms, and applying technology to career development.
Support participants in addressing employment barriers, including justice-system involvement, limited work experience, and educational gaps; assist with job placement and follow-up for retention and advancement.
Maintain an assigned caseload and build supportive professional relationships using trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and strengths-based approaches.
Meet regularly with participants to review progress, identify needs, and adjust academic and career strategies; collaborate with participants on measurable goals within their ISPs.
Coordinate with the Reentry & Behavioral Support Social Worker and Program Coordinator on participant challenges, engagement, scheduling, follow-up, referrals, and service continuity.
Participate in case conferences, multidisciplinary meetings, and participant progress reviews; promote participant self-determination, accountability, and sustained engagement.
Document verified educational and workforce milestones that may support participant incentive eligibility under the YMCA’s approved gift card and stipend policy.
Establish and maintain relationships with local employers, workforce agencies, educational institutions, vocational training providers, and community organizations.
Identify suitable employment opportunities and career pathways, coordinate referrals, and collaborate with partners on workshops, presentations, and recruitment opportunities.
Maintain appropriate communication with employers and training providers, with required participant consent, to support placement, participation, and retention.
Identify gaps in educational and workforce resources and recommend ways to strengthen Hub services.
Help the Program Manager establish counseling procedures, workforce readiness activities, referral pathways, and participant progress-tracking practices.
Maintain accurate, timely, confidential participant records and document services and outcomes according to YMCA policies, DCJS requirements, and program procedures.
Track progress toward educational enrollment, training participation, credentials, employment placement, and other applicable milestones; support approved program measures.
Participate in quality improvement, case reviews, program evaluations, required staff training, and DCJS training modules; maintain current knowledge of reentry services and educational and workforce resources.
Follow YMCA policies, professional boundaries, confidentiality requirements, ethical standards, and DCJS obligations; attend required meetings and perform other related duties as assigned.