College Success Counselor (Options Center)

Goddard Riverside; New York (NY); On-site; USD 53,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Goddard Riverside’s Options Center seeks a College Success Counselor to support students in persisting toward degrees through 1:1 counseling, workshops, advocacy, and resource sharing.

The role requires outreach to 100+ undergraduates, collaboration with NYC-area colleges, and coordination of financial aid and academic support. Flexible schedule includes some weekends and evenings in a dynamic, multi-cultural setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Minimum 3 years of experience working with young people in youth development or postsecondary planning.
• Knowledge of U.S. higher education system, especially NYC and NYS (CUNY, SUNY) is preferred.
• Experience advising/counseling in urban, multi-cultural settings is a plus.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
• Bilingual Spanish/English a plus.
• NY driver’s license a plus.
• Experience with Microsoft Office and case management databases.

Responsibilities

• Provide 1:1 counseling and workshops to a caseload of 100+ undergraduate students.
• Assist with class registration, degree planning, financial aid, and referrals.
• Enter case notes and generate monthly status reports.
• Build relationships with college staff and advocate for students.
• Coordinate relief grants for textbooks, emergency needs, and transportation.

Skills

Excellent communication

Interpersonal skills

Team collaboration

Bilingual (Spanish/English)

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Case management databases

Job description

Program Description: Goddard Riverside (GR) is a well-established social service agency serving more than 20,000 people a year on the Upper West Side and throughout New York City with a variety of programs for all ages.

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.

Position Summary: 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: Monday-Friday (10am-6pm) (in-person), with some weekend and evening hours required. Hours may vary based on student needs and campus visits.

Salary Range: $53,000-$60,000

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

• Conduct outreach and provide individualized college persistence advisement to a caseload of 100+ undergraduate students, to maximize their opportunities for success and degree attainment.
• Support students with class registration and degree planning, transfer support, financial aid procedures, social service referrals, direct relief needs, academic support and personal concerns, and career readiness activities.
• Enter student case notes into database on a timely basis and complete monthly reports updating the status of student caseload.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with staff in critical offices at 30+ colleges and universities; advocate for students and favorable policy changes at colleges and universities. In addition, participate in legislative advocacy that impacts college student persistence.
• Distribute and document direct relief grant support for textbook/ supplies, emergency needs, and transportation coordination for students who attend college outside of NYC.
• Network and assist with partnership development that supports the success of college students, and report to in-person and virtual meetings with partner representatives.
• Co-Facilitate Success Team Meetings and Student review and agenda.
• Travel to college campuses to meet with students in New York State, primarily in the downstate Area.
• Collaborate with staff from partner organizations, as well as staff from Options’ college access training, and advocacy teams, to share information and strengthen each other’s programs.
• Plan and facilitate College Transition orientations, post-grad and career prep workshops and events throughout the year.
• Attend all meetings and professional development sessions.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications/Educational Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum 3 years of experience working with young people in youth development, postsecondary planning, higher educational settings, or working to help students succeed on a college/university campus required.
• Knowledge of U.S. higher education system, especially New York City and State, including CUNY, SUNY, and support programs.
• Experience advising/ counseling in an urban, multi-cultural setting a plus.
• High attention to details and meeting deadlines, especially regarding caseload and database management.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain relationships with college admissions and support staff.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Able to work independently and in a team environment.
• Bilingual Spanish/English a plus.
• Valid NYS driver’s license a plus.
• Experience in Microsoft Office, as well as project management or case management databases.

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.

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 task 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.