[2026-2027] College Counselor - High School

KIPP NYC Public Schools • Bronx, NY

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The College Counselor is part of the Senior College and Career Counseling Team at KIPP NYC College Prep High School. The team guides students through college and career research, applications, and financial aid, with the goal of helping every graduate enter a best-fit college or career program. The team aims to matriculate at least 90% of seniors into college and supports students pursuing other pathways toward college or career success.

The counselor co-plans and facilitates senior and junior college-readiness courses, provides direct advisement to a caseload of 60–70 seniors and their families, and supports students from application through college enrollment. The role includes working with families, school staff, colleges, universities, and community partners, as well as coordinating with KIPP Forward to support students’ transition after graduation. Counselors also advise a small group of students throughout high school through the school-wide advisory program.

This role is based in New York City and requires travel to KIPP NYC schools. It includes some Saturday work for signature college counseling events. Counselors report to one of the two managers on the College Team.

Requirements

• Demonstrated experience with college admissions and financial aid counseling at the secondary school or collegiate level.
• Outstanding organizational skills and strong attention to detail.
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills.
• A willingness to adapt to change and help teammates when needed.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline- and goal-driven environment.
• Ability to learn new tasks and skills quickly and to ask for and be open to feedback.
• Flexibility, strong work ethic, and an entrepreneurial spirit suited to a growing and continually improving team.
• Demonstrated experience working with traditionally underserved students and families from diverse socioeconomic, racial, and ethnic backgrounds.
• Ability to learn new technology platforms and databases quickly.
• Ability to work some Saturdays for signature College Counseling events.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year educational institution.

Nice To Haves

• Experience counseling New York high school students or working within SUNY or CUNY.
• At least two years of experience working with groups of students.
• Bilingual Spanish/English speaking and writing skills.
• Specialized training in college counseling or higher education administration.
• Personal qualities including zest, grit, hope, love, social intelligence, gratitude, and a sense of humor; passion for a team-oriented, mission-driven school culture; and a “whatever it takes” mentality.

Responsibilities

• Co-plan and facilitate the Senior College and Career Counseling course from September through June, providing direct college advisement to 60–70 students and families through the application process.
• Guide students through applications to CUNY, SUNY, CTE programs, Common App, and Overgrad; Opportunity Programs; financial aid and scholarship applications; financial verification; college and aid-package selection; and required commitments and deposits by the May 1 deadline.
• Support each student’s transition to college by completing pre-college benchmarks and transition checklists and collaborating with the KIPP Forward Success Team.
• Continue transition support through the summer to help prevent summer melt, share counseling history and transition progress with KIPP Forward, and help resolve barriers to students matriculating at their intended college.
• Co-plan and facilitate the junior College and Career Readiness course in June, supporting students and families with financial aid learning, personal-statement revisions, college and CTE research, and college-list edits.
• Maintain weekly grades and daily attendance in PowerSchool for assigned senior sections and caseload.
• Support the college counseling team by monitoring classrooms, assisting students outside the counselor’s caseload as needed, and participating fully in weekly team meetings.
• Coordinate with college admissions and scholarship representatives to arrange visits, information sessions, interviews, and fly-ins, and encourage student participation.
• Plan, coordinate, and deliver college counseling events, including the Senior Brunch, College and Career Fair, parent financial aid workshops, junior college and CTE trips, and College and Career Commitment Ceremony.
• Train on and use Overgrad to support college search and applications and manage student and college data.
• Use the financial aid database to track financial aid packages and provide families with clear financial comparisons of college options.
• Advise a small group of students through four years of high school as part of the school-wide advisory program, promoting academic success, college readiness, career awareness, and self-discovery.
• Support students with disabilities by attending IEP meetings and identifying colleges able to provide needed supports.
• Integrate career counseling into college counseling by using YouScience assessments and Career Plans to support college matches aligned with career ambitions and promoting career conversations, the Summer Programs Fair, and other career opportunities.
• Pursue professional and personal growth by working closely with the Manager of College Counseling and attending professional development trainings.
• Assess student progress and communicate results to the Director, Manager, families, and colleagues.
• Assist the Manager of College Counseling with projects as they arise.
• Model the school’s values in communications with students, families, staff, and outside organizations.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• Five school vacation weeks, sick and personal days, and an extended summer break.
• Up to 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave.
• Bright Horizons backup child and elder care.
• Employer-paid life insurance and short- and long-term disability coverage.
• Eight weeks of paid sabbatical after 10 years.
• Annual professional development funds.
• Tuition reimbursement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level