Director of College Counseling (DCC)- Buffalo

Student Leadership Network•Buffalo, NY

18h•Onsite

About The Position

At Student Leadership Network, we believe in the potential of all students and are cultivating a generation of young people empowered to lead. We work with every student, developing their abilities to achieve their educational ambitions. Our 30-year track record demonstrates higher college enrollment and graduation rates that significantly surpass national benchmarks. We are advancing educational access for all by expanding access to higher education in under-resourced public schools nationwide. Our Young Women’s Leadership model elevates practices in girls'+ schools that lead to success and change the face of leadership. Our co-ed CollegeBound Initiative develops college-going school cultures — creating high expectations and viable pathways for post-secondary success. Student Leadership Network is seeking a dynamic, student-centered Director of College Counseling (DCC) to join our Buffalo team. The DCC plays a critical role in fostering a strong college and career-going culture within a Buffalo Public School by providing comprehensive college access, career readiness, and postsecondary planning services to students and families. The DCC serves as a leader within the school community, collaborating with administrators, counselors, teachers, families, and community partners to ensure students have the knowledge, resources, and support necessary to successfully pursue their postsecondary goals. The Director of College Counseling reports directly to the Associate Director of College Access Services.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
Master’s degree in Education, School Counseling, Youth Services, Social Work, or a related field.
Minimum of three years of experience in college access, secondary education, college counseling, youth development, or an educational nonprofit setting.
Demonstrated experience supporting students through the college admissions and financial aid process.
Strong organizational, project management, and strategic planning skills.
Experience collecting, managing, and analyzing data to inform decision-making.
Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
Strong proficiency with Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, and student information and data management systems.
Ability to collaborate effectively with school administrators, faculty, staff, families, and external partners.
Willingness to travel locally and host occasional evening and weekend events.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in Buffalo Public Schools or similar urban school districts.
Experience working with students from historically underserved, low-income, first-generation, refugee/newcomer, and underrepresented communities.
Experience with FAFSA, NYS TAP, scholarship advising, college essay development, and college application systems.
Experience facilitating workshops related to postsecondary planning, career exploration, and financial literacy.
Familiarity with SUNY, CUNY, community college, workforce development, and four-year college pathways.
Experience with relationship-based student outreach and engagement strategies.

Responsibilities

Provide individualized college and career counseling to students and families.
Manage the college application, admissions, and financial aid process for all graduating seniors, ensuring students meet critical deadlines and maximize postsecondary opportunities.
Support students with Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), NY State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), Say Yes Buffalo and other scholarship applications, college essays, and postsecondary planning.
Build and maintain relationships with college admissions professionals to increase school visibility and create recruitment opportunities for students.
Execute Student Leadership Network’s standard program components with fidelity, including classroom presentations, student workshops, parent and family engagement events, college fairs, college campus visits and tours, and career exploration activities.
Supervise and support the College Transition Coach throughout the academic year and assist with summer CollegeBridge programming.
Facilitate college transition and persistence programming that prepares students for success beyond high school.
Recruit and support student participation in partner college programs and enrichment opportunities.
Plan and implement educational activities, including senior post-secondary planning events, college and career readiness workshops, and summer bridge programs.
Support school tours, stakeholder visits, donor engagements, and presentations showcasing program outcomes and impact.
Collaborate with school leadership, counselors, teachers, and staff to build and sustain a college and career-going culture.
Support early college and career awareness programming across all grade levels through a distributed counseling model.
Partner with faculty to integrate college and career readiness concepts into school programming and curriculum.
Develop and maintain strong relationships with community organizations, colleges, universities, and workforce partners.
Engage parents and families through workshops, meetings, and outreach efforts related to college planning and financial aid.
Serve as a visible, trusted, and accessible resource for students, families, and school stakeholders.
Maintain accurate and timely student records and program data within Student Leadership Network databases and reporting systems.
Monitor student progress toward college and career readiness benchmarks.
Analyze data to identify trends, assess program effectiveness, and inform strategic planning.
Generate reports and provide updates to school leadership and Student Leadership Network management.
Ensure compliance with organizational, grant, and reporting requirements.
Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
Health Reimbursement Account (up to $14,000 annually for families)
Flexible Spending Accounts for Medical, Dependent Care, and Transit/Parking Expenses
Employee Assistance Program
Employer-Paid Life Insurance
401(k) Retirement Plan with a 4% Employer Match
17 vacation days annually during the first three years of employment
11 Federal Holidays
2 Floating Holidays
10 Wellness (Sick) Days per Year plus Safe Leave
20 Hours of Prenatal Leave
Generous Paid Family Leave (minimum of 12 weeks based on tenure)
Annual Wellness Week between Christmas and New Year's
Summer Friday Early Dismissals