College Counselor -GWEC

EAST SIDE HOUSE SETTLEMENT•New York, NY

171d•$45,000 - $45,000•Onsite

About The Position

East Side House (ESH) is a community resource in the Bronx and Northern Manhattan dedicated to expanding opportunities for individuals, families, and communities through education, career, and supportive services. The Student Success Centers (SSCs) at ESH provide high-quality programs and services within community centers and school partnerships. Reporting to the Program Director, the College Counselor is responsible for guiding and supporting students on campus in making informed, realistic, and meaningful decisions about their post-secondary pathways. This role aims to help students access college and career pathways that suit their individual needs. As part of the Post-Secondary Pathway Programs (PSP)/ Student Success Center (SSC) Team, the College Counselor will deliver comprehensive post-secondary planning support, manage the college application process, and provide financial aid and scholarship guidance. The position involves direct interaction with Youth Leaders on the George Washington Educational Campus (GWEC) and other campus stakeholders. The College Counselor will focus on college preparation and career-readiness, offering student guidance and advising (1:1 and group), college application support, financial aid and scholarship navigation, family and community engagement, and data tracking for services and outcomes.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in education, human services, or related field.
Minimum of two years’ experience with youth at risk and/or school setting.
Prior experience with counseling and/or groups.
Ability to work with a culturally diverse population.
Strong verbal and written communication skills, presentation and leadership skills.
Demonstrated initiative, creativity, flexibility and follow-through.
Excellent analytical skills.
Excellent skills in verbal and written communication, including effective platform delivery.
Must be computer literate and capable of hands-on work in Microsoft Word / Word Perfect or similar word processing programs.
Employees must be clear to work at ESH. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of background checks and/or screenings.
Complete college and career advising training in the past 3 years aligned to support students graduating with strong plans. Approved training options include 20+ hours of NYCPS Advising and Awareness Credential, Goddard Riverside Options Institute, NCAN e-learning modules, or Chancellor’s PD days focused on advising.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual English/Spanish a plus.

Responsibilities

Oversee and maintain student caseload, assisting and guiding them through the college process.
Provide students with post-secondary readiness support and work-readiness skills development.
Educate students and parents about colleges, the college admissions process, trends, procedures, and testing; advising students and families as they go through the process; and helping students and families aspire realistically and choose wisely.
Meet with students, individually and in groups, to talk about the college process and individual college choices.
Advise GW Campus students on curricular choices, as needed, and work with social services to assist non-documented students to understand US college admissions, especially aspects unique to them.
Communicate effectively with students, peers, supervisors, and funders.
Conduct 1:1 advising for all students.
Coordinate integration of 9-12 (as applicable) college and career awareness programming into the school day programming, focusing on both long-term career goals as well as post-secondary education goals to get there.
Ensure at point of graduation students have a confirmed plan for postsecondary education, training, apprenticeship, public service or workforce entry in STARS.
Ensure students develop a college and career plan in a career navigation platform (i.e. Xello, Overgrad).
Ensure enrolled students have completed a FAFSA application.
Keep parents informed through phone calls and monthly letters about test dates, local college events, and financial aid.
Keep track of admission decisions, statistics, and compile data for monthly submission to Program Director.
Stay abreast of issues and trends in college admissions, higher education, testing, as well as keeping up to date about specific colleges.
Recruit, sustain and oversee Youth Leaders and their progress of Student Success Center.
Engage teachers and other school staff in creating a college-going culture.
Provide individualized support for completion of applications and FAFSA forms.
Maintain membership in professional organizations: the College Board, the National Association of College Admission Counselors, etc.
Identify and establish linkage with ASAP, BON, EOP, HEOP SEEK, and various other programs on their college campus to support students.
Create and facilitate 2 workshops per month that address and help support the college process and other post high school higher learning opportunities.
Liaise with CARA around training, supervision, and program development.
Plan, support and attend Youth Leader Summer Training and Academic Year Conferences.
Create and facilitate one workshop monthly for parents and students that address the college process and other post high school higher learning opportunities.
Provide data collection for Graduation, College, and other post-secondary placements as an annual culminating report, using provided template.
Support the promotion and guidance of students with East Side House scholarship opportunities.
Celebrate and recognize student accomplishments (incentive – Gift cards, Movie tickets, and Guarantee spot on upcoming incentive trips.)
Support and assist with alternative school initiatives.