College Success Counselor

Description

Organization Overview: The Goddard Riverside Community Center (Goddard Riverside) and the Stanley M. Isaacs Neighborhood Center (Isaacs Center) are well-established Manhattan community-based agencies that support services to approximately 30,000 New Yorkers. We are two of New York City’s leading human services organizations meeting the needs of children, youth and families, homeless individuals, and older adults through-out Manhattan and New York City. We work every day for a fair and just society where all people have the opportunity to make choices that lead to better lives for themselves and their families.

Program Description:The Options Center at GR supports New Yorkers to enroll in and complete college by counseling teens and adults, training school and community professionals, and convening the larger community on critical issues around equity in post-secondary education. Options has supported young people to enroll in college since 1985, professionals to support others since 2005, and college students to persist in college since 2012. Options currently serves over 2,000 people a year.

Purpose of Position: College Success Counselors provide support to young people and adults to persist in postsecondary education through 1:1 counseling, workshops, advocacy, and resource sharing.

Schedule: Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, with some weekend and evening hours required. Hours may vary based on student needs and campus visits.

Salary Range: $50,000-$60,970

Candidates must have the required qualifications to be considered for the position. The salary offer will be based on the candidate’s number of years experience in the exact or comparable position and additional preferred qualifications will be taken into account.

Roles, Responsibilities, and Essential Duties

• Provide intensive one-on-one counseling to a cohort of students enrolled in college to maximize their opportunities for success in college. Support includes class registration and degree planning, transfer support, financial aid procedures, social service and direct relief needs, academic support and personal concerns, and career readiness activities. 
• Track, evaluate and report on student and program performance for on-going program improvement and growth; enter student case notes into database on a timely basis and complete monthly reports updating status of student caseload.  
• Build and maintain strong and effective relationships with staff in critical offices at 30+ colleges and other referral partners to advocate for students and assist them in reaching their goals.
• Travel to college campuses to meet with students in New York State, primarily in the downstate area.
• Develop and implement curricula and resources for workshops and events on topics of relevance to first-generation college students and their families; plan and co-facilitate College Transition orientations and other student enrichment workshops and events throughout the academic year.
• Distribute and document last dollar grants and monetary support to students
• Assist with the coordination of transportation to get students back and forth from college on the first day of school, last day of school, emergencies, major holidays, and school breaks.
• Collaborate with staff from our partner organizations and Options’ college access and training teams to share information and strengthen each other’s programs.
• Stay current on the latest trends in college access and success
• Demonstrate commitment to learning and professional development, community building, and advocacy as strategies for social change
• Other duties as required

Qualifications/Education Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Preferred- Experience working with young people in a youth development or educational setting or working to help students succeed on a college/university campus.
• Experience counseling in an urban, multi-cultural setting a plus.
• Knowledge of U.S. higher education system, especially New York City and State, including CUNY, SUNY, and support programs.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain relationships with college admissions and support staff
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• High attention to details and meeting deadlines, especially regarding paperwork and data tracking.
• Able to work independently and in a team environment.
• Bilingual Spanish/English a plus.
• Valid NYS driver’s license.
• Experience in Microsoft Office and comfortable using technology.

Physical Requirements 

• Packing, lifting and moving of supplies is required; ability to lift up to 30 lbs.

Work Environment 

• Office work, including heavy phone and computer use combined with frequent off-site campus visits, workshops, trainings, etc.
• Candidate must be available to work remotely and must have full WIFI capabilities when working remotely.

Employee Benefits :

• Medical/Dental/Vision

• Life Insurance/Commuter benefits/Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Flexible Spending Accounts

• 403B Thrift Retirement Plan

• 12 Annual Sick Days

• 12 Agency Holidays

• 20 Days or 4 Weeks of Paid Time off and an additional week (5) days after 5 years of employment

• Total of more than 6 weeks (a month and half) of paid time off

We are committed to building an inclusive workplace community grounded in respect for differences. We support hiring a broadly diverse team of qualified individuals who will contribute to our organizations.

Goddard Riverside and Isaacs Center provide equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of duties and responsibilities that will be required of this position and title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.