Counselor

Erie Community College; Buffalo, Northern (NY, KY); Hybrid; USD 50,000 - 61,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent health benefits

Tuition-free college courses

Job summary

SUNY Erie Community College in Buffalo seeks a professional counselor in the Admissions department to guide students toward their educational goals and provide counseling support across admissions, retention, and related services.

The role includes supervision of clerical staff, collaboration with Directors and Chairs, and participation in orientation, testing, and program development to advance student access and success.

Qualifications

• Good knowledge of counseling techniques and procedures.
• Ability to counsel effectively and motivate students.
• Ability to relate empathetically to student needs.

Responsibilities

• Counsels students in personal and academic areas to meet goals.
• Make referrals to outside services as needed.
• Provide reports and follow ups as needed.
• Coordinate holistic counseling from prospect to graduation/transfer.
• Assist with orientation, testing, and research for growth.
• Collaborate with academic units and faculty.

Skills

Counseling techniques

Student motivation

Interpersonal skills

Collaboration

Referral to services

Education

Master's Degree in Counseling

Job description

Department: Admissions

Salary/Hourly $55,237.00 Annual Union/Position Status: FFECC NTP FT Posting Closing Date: September 21, 2026

JOB DESCRIPTION DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:

Under general direction of administrator, the incumbent is responsible for professional counseling of college students to assist them in meeting their educational goals; supervision is exercised over clerical assistants. Counselors may be assigned duties in an area of specialization, such as —Admissions, Retention, Student Access Center (Disabilities), Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), Bi-lingual Services, Personal Counseling, etc.—with duties specific to that specialization. On each campus, a Counseling Chair supervises the activities of Counselors. Counseling Chairs will collaborate with Directors, as deemed necessary, reporting to the Associate Vice President Student Affairs. Does related duties as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:

• Counsels students in areas of personal and academic areas so they can succeed in pursuit of their educational goals;
• Counselors will make referral to outside services as deemed necessary;
• provide reports and follow ups as needed;
• Holistic counseling of students from prospects to admissions, through graduation/transfer and employment;
• Prepares case study material and correspondence;
• assists in collection of vocational material and college catalogs for transfer students;
• Prepares student material for various review teams;
• Meets with and confers with faculty, department heads, chairs and administration in an effort to assist students in solving their problems;
• Attends staff meetings, may attend professional conferences or in-service training;
• Assists with orientation program or testing;
• Assists with research and development for institutional growth;
• Counselors may collaborate with Academic Units.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Good knowledge of counseling techniques and procedures;
• good knowledge of educational methods and theory;
• ability to counsel effectively;
• ability to motivate students effectively;
• ability to get along well with others;
• ability to relate empathetically to needs of students;
• sound professional judgement;
• initiative and resourcefulness;
• industrious and dependability;
• physically capable of performing the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Graduation from a regionally accredited four (4) year college or university with a Master's Degree in Counseling, Student Personnel Services or a related subject and two (2) years of counseling or advising experience.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Official transcripts will be required for successful candidates within 30 days of hire. Contact Human Resources at [phone] with any questions.

Our mission to offer quality education includes exposing our students to a diverse range of cultures, experiences and expertise. At SUNY Erie Community College, we value diversity and encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply.

Notice of Non-Discrimination

SUNY Erie Community College does not discriminate in admission, employment, or in the administration of any of its policies and programs on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, gender expression, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, familial status, military status, domestic violence victim status, predisposing genetic characteristics, veteran status, criminal conviction, or any other characteristics protected by law. This applies to all students, applicants or other members of the College community (including, but not limited to, vendors and visitors).

The following individual has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the College’s non-discrimination policies: Civil Rights Compliance Officer Legal Affairs Office North Campus 6205 Main Street Williamsville, NY 14221 [e-mail]

For further information on notice of non-discrimination, please contact: New York Office United States Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, 32 Old Slip 26th Floor, New York, N.Y., 10005-25010; Tel [phone]; Email: [e-mail].

SUNY Erie Community College is an Equal Opportunity Employment / Affimative Action employer, dedicated to maintaining an inclusive work environment at all three of our Western New York campuses. Ideal employees will be committed to facilitating the College’s student-first experience and career-focused education; and will embrace its mission to enrich its host communities through skill, service and partnership.

• Excellent health and benefits packages are comparable to offerings through similar county and New York State positions.
• Employees can take advantage of the College’s expansive Health & Wellness initiatives; and tuition-free college courses are available for both employees and their families.