College Transition and Success Counselor: Brooklyn Lifelink - 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! 

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

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.

Reports to:   PROGRAM DIRECTOR, BROOKLYN LIFELINK

Location:      503 Fifth Avenue 3rd Flr, Brooklyn, New York 11215

Hours:          35 Hours/Week; NON- Exempt (minimum of one evening per week plus additional evenings, and occasional weekends, including overnight when necessary)

Salary:           $50,000 - $55,000

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 Transfer 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.
• 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, necessary.
• Must possess strong teamwork, communication (verbal and written), and organizational skills.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred.
• 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.

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.