Advocate Counselor - Good Shepherd Services

Good Shepherd Services is a leading multi-service agency with more than 85 programs that serve over 30,000 youth and families each year – and builds on their strengths to help them gain skills for success.  At Good Shepherd we respect the dignity and worth of every person and reject intolerance, inequity and injustice in whatever form it may take. Voted one of the top 100 places to work in NYC by Crain’s New York, Good Shepherd Services offers a fantastic work environment, a collaborative team dedicated to fulfilling our mission, and an amazing array of benefits. Join our team and help make a difference! 

For Full Time Employees Benefits/Perks:

• Tuition Assistance Program
• Generous paid time off (Including 5 Self-Care Days/Floating Holidays, 12 Sick Days, 15 Vacation Days, and 11 Holidays)
• Healthcare Plans (Medical, Dental, Vision, and Pet Care)
• 403(b) Plan (GSS contributes 3% of your salary to your 403(b) plan after 3 years of service, with contributions increasing over time) 

Candidates hired in this position will work in person but will have the flexibility to work remotely when program need allows

Reports to:           Assistant Director of South Brooklyn Community High School

Location:              173 Conover Street, Brooklyn, New York 11231

Hours:                   35 Hours/Week; Non-Exempt 

Salary:                  $44,000 - $50,000

Job Summary: Our high schools serve students who are over-age, under credited and have a history of truancy.  An Advocate Counselor (AC) provides attendance outreach and individual and group counseling to students and assists in implementing other aspects of the GSS/DOE partnership school program to promote the education and leadership goals of the students. The AC supports the school’s mission of providing students with a quality academic experience that prepares them for post-secondary education, meaningful employment, healthy relationships, and participation in the life of their communities.

Major Duties:                       

• Responsible for a caseload of students, including maintaining their attendance and educational progress and providing regular individual counseling meetings.
• Provide attendance outreach, counseling and family support to help students attain a regular attendance rate of 90%. This includes home or work site visits and requires use of public transportation and the ability to walk up stairs.
• Plan and facilitate advisory group sessions twice weekly.
• Support student recruitment efforts and conduct intake assessments and interviews.
• Support student progress and development by providing student & family with continuous feedback and resources to meet the individual needs of students and ensure success in achieving a high school diploma.
• Monitor and counsel students on credit accumulation and graduation requirements.
• Work as part of a collaborative team of DOE/GSS faculty to support student progress and develop appropriate educational goals and plans for individual students.
• Provide crisis intervention, conflict mediation, and social-emotional support.
• Assist with referrals to outside resources, including employment, emergency shelter, day care and additional social and educational services.
• Ensure timely completion of Powerschool documentation, other documentation of work, and statistics, and assist DOE to ensure accuracy of student records. Actively engage in individual and team use of data to inform practice.
• Responsible for participating in and co-facilitating orientation to the school for students and families.
• Assist students in developing and implementing academic goal-setting plans from time of entry to graduation.
• Engage students’ families to support positive outcomes for the student; assist families with identified needs.
• Ensure student exposure to college exploration opportunities, college and career readiness, and planning for life after high school, and support development of post-graduate plans with students from time of entry to graduation.
• Participate in staff meetings, overnight retreats, and staff development. Occasional evening and Saturday hours required.
• In collaboration with school faculty, develop and implement student enrichment and leadership activities.
• Provide students with job and career development activities such as resume and cover letter writing, preparing for job applications and interview and learning about positive work habits.
• In conjunction with the Internship Coordinator, conduct employment preparation workshops.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• Associates degree required. Bachelors degree preferred.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.
• Valid driver’s license preferred.
• Experience working with adolescents, individually and in groups.
• Commitment to assisting student in understanding and working with the school mission and philosophy.
• Commitment to working as a member of an interdisciplinary school team.
• Must have a commitment to work from a strength-based or youth and family development perspective.

Good Shepherd Services is an equal opportunity employer that is proudly committed to becoming an anti-racist and multicultural organization that stands up for justice and equity. We welcome prospective employees from diverse backgrounds, for administrative support and direct service and leadership roles, who will join us on that journey, uphold our values and approach, and believe in our mission. Additionally, we aim to have a racially representative leadership and workforce that is reflective of the communities we work in partnership with.

Good Shepherd Services is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, participants, volunteers, subcontractors, and vendors. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of our activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and termination of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services.

We are committed to providing a workplace that is accessible and accommodating to employees with disabilities. As part of our commitment to providing a barrier-free recruitment and selection process, we will provide reasonable accommodations upon request for candidates with disabilities. If you require any accommodations to participate in the hiring process, please inform us of your needs in advance. We value diversity and inclusivity in our workplace and encourage applicants of all abilities to apply.