College Transition and Success Counselor (Bronx Lifelink)

Title: College Transition and Success Counselor

Reports To: Senior Vice President, Bronx Lifelink

Location: 2471 Morris Avenue, Bronx, NY 10468

Hours: 35 Hours / Non-Exempt

Schedule: Monday through Friday 9 am-5 pm with one remote day per week; occasional evening hours to support our evening feeder programs

Salary: $50,000 - $55,000

Job Summary: The College Transition and Success Counselor works with students from GSS programs who are both transitioning to and attending designated two and four year CUNY colleges; collaborates with college personnel and GSS program staff to assure a smooth transition to college; mobilizes the supports to sustain college success; participates in strategizing and research to document best practices and successful structures/resources/collaboration and interventions; participates actively in this research initiative; provides outreach to students and staff at referring sites to recruit appropriate candidates. In addition, they also help participants who are focused on work or credential opportunities after high school in planning for their next steps in the workforce.

Major Duties:

• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships and communication with CUNY counselors and staff of key college departments to support and track students.

• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with college candidates’ counselors at GSS community schools, YABCs and day school programs to identify the cohort of students to undertake the application process and transition to college.

• Provide individual support and advocacy to students in the cohort.

• Develop and implement workshops on transitioning to college.

• Arrange site visits to colleges to orient students to place, space and college departments and contacts.

• Review and monitor students’ financial arrangements and financial aid to assure maximum aid is obtained and managed and student can budget appropriately.

• Assist students to plan and prepare for CUNY Assessment Test.

• Develop academic monitoring and early warning system to address risks to retention.

• Arrange study groups/tutoring for students as needed.

• Help non-matriculating participants develop transferable career readiness skills and apply for jobs/credential opportunities.

• Assist in arranging activities and celebrations to advance cohort cohesion and peer support.

• Maintain and provide demographic and case notes for data keeping and research.

• Maintain all required statistical and narrative documentation.

• Participate in staff trainings and meetings including partnership meetings/conferences/presentations and professional development.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field and at least two years of prior experience working with young adults, required.

• Experience with college access including the application process or in college retention, required.

• Must possess strong teamwork, communication (verbal and written), and organizational skills.

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.

• Strong ability to engage students and parents in activities that support college completion.

• Must have a commitment to working with youth from a strength based and/or youth development perspective.