HEOP Counselor

alfreduniversity; Town of Alfred (NY); On-site; USD 55,804,000 - 59,021,000; Full time

Job summary

Alfred University’s HEOP program seeks a Counselor to advise a caseload of HEOP students, support academic success, and coordinate recruitment efforts. The role reports to the HEOP Director and requires on-site work with standard hours 8:30am–4:30pm, Monday–Friday, with occasional evenings or weekends.

The position emphasizes helping students navigate financial aid, academic planning, and program participation, with a focus on retention and graduation within a supportive campus environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in a social science or counseling field required.
• A minimum of one year's experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds preferred.
• Genuine interest in working with college students and ability to relate to a diverse population.
• Energetic, engaging personality with ability to encourage students to seek guidance.

Responsibilities

• Provide academic, personal, financial, crisis, and career advisement leading to retention and graduation of HEOP students.
• Represent the program at college fairs and high school visits.
• Plan, coordinate, and implement the HEOP Summer Program.
• Attend weekly meetings and participate in committees as assigned.
• Assist students with financial aid concerns and ensure deadlines are met.
• Monitor student progress and counsel on academic probation.

Skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Computer skills

Team player

Evening/weekend availability

Education

Bachelor's Degree in social science or counseling field

Tools

Banner

Canvas

Degree Works

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) is a partnership between Alfred University and the New York State Education Department (NYSED). This program is designed for students who have the potential and drive to further their education, but due to limited academic and financial resources, would not otherwise have the opportunity to attend college. The goal of HEOP is to enroll, retain and graduate promising students who will succeed at the college level and beyond.

The HEOP Counselor assists in the provision of individual and group advising to selected HEOP students. They provide programming geared to promoting students' academic success. They conduct academic skills assessment and coursework evaluation. They provide support, motivation, and guidance in decision-making. This position reports to the Director of HEOP and it is a full-time, on-site position. The working hours are 8:30am to 4:30pm from Monday through Friday, with occasional weekends and evenings when necessary.

Rate:

$22.25-$23.54, 35 hours per week

Essential Functions:

• Provide academic, personal, financial, crisis, and career advisement leading to the retention and graduation of a caseload of HEOP students as assigned by the Director, as well as maintain accurate case files on each student in the caseload
• Participate with the Director in the recruitment of prospective HEOP students by representing the program at College Fairs and Scheduled high school visits as assigned by the Director
• Participate in planning, coordinating, and implementing the four-five-week HEOP Summer Program
• Attend weekly staff meetings, one-on-one meetings with HEOP Director, professional development opportunities and serve on college committees as assigned
• Assist students with financial aid concerns by partnering with the Office of Financial Aid, the Office of Student Accounts, and the office of the Registrar to ensure students have completed all necessary paperwork and met all institutional and federal deadlines
• Monitor student progress through ongoing communication with faculty, tutors, staff, and administrators, and counsel students on academic probatio
• Safety: Participate in safety training and comply with safety rules, regulations, and protocols
• Assume other related duties/responsibilities as delegated or assigned by the HEOP Director

Abilities:

• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends in support of programs and activities, conferences, and training
• Ability to sit at a desk and/or look at screens for extended periods of time
• Ability to occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds

Other Duties & Responsibilities:

• Supports and assists in creating intersections for faculty, staff and students that will assist in transforming people's lives
• Supports and assists in creating an evolving culture of mentoring and rich engagement opportunities for faculty, staff, and students
• Maintains a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and a high degree of cultural competence and respect for a wide range of identities and experiences, therefore welcoming and supporting all faculty, staff and students and expanding access to the AU experience
• Maintains a safe working environment within and around their facilities and associated equipment and supplies including, but not limited to, obtaining Safety Data Sheet (SDS) information pertaining to any hazards associated with their work environment
• Participates in all required assigned training, including safety training and will comply with safety rules, regulations, and protocols
• Effective written and oral communication skills
• Contributes to the overall success of the University by performing other duties as assigned

Qualifications-Education & Experience, Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Bachelor's Degree in a social science or counseling field required
• A minimum of one year's experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds preferred
• Genuine interest in working with college students as well as the ability to work well with, and relate to, a diverse population of students
• Have an energetic, engaging, positive personality and character with the ability to encourage students to seek guidance and participate in the program

Additional Knowledge/Skills:

• Excellent communication skills, organizational skills, and attention to detail
• Excellent computer skills and ability to learn new programs
• Demonstrated ability to adhere to the highest standards of professionalism
• Demonstrated ability to engage in active listening, be a team player, and reinforce boundaries with students
• Full availability from June through August in preparation for and during the HEOP Summer Program
• Knowledge of Banner, Canvas, Degree Works, and Microsoft Office

Physical Demands & Work Environment:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
• Personal Protective Equipment must be worn when required
• A respiratory function test and the ability to use respirators may be required
• Stairs and uneven surfaces may be present; artificial lifts, etc. may or may not be available
• The position may require the incumbent to walk outdoors in all types of weather to other buildings or offices located on the campus. The Campus is located in an area that contains numerous hills and slopes and may not always be fully accessible for mobility impaired individuals

About Alfred University:

Lighting the way for students since 1836. "We've always been a place for makers, especially those who make the future. Our commitment to independent thinking, creativity, academic rigor and community have made us a unique kind of leader since 1836."

Alfred University (AU) was founded on principles of social justice in 1836 by liberal, independent thinkers who placed high value on education for all citizens. The University has retained and built upon the strong values of its founders, developing as an institution of national and international renown that is responsive to the needs of contemporary society while remaining consistent with the spirit of its origins. Alfred University is the second oldest coeducational college in the United States as well as one of the earliest nineteenth century colleges to have enrolled African American and Native American students. It has a long-standing history of educating socially conscious students who make a difference in their professions and their communities.

Over the course of the twentieth century, Alfred University evolved into a complex institution offering a full range of programs in the liberal arts and sciences, art and design, engineering, business, education, counseling, and school psychology to its nearly 2,000 undergraduate and graduate students that live, learn, and play on a 232-acre campus located in an idyllic, creative valley in Western New York. To learn more, visit alfred.edu.

Alfred University actively subscribes to a policy of equal employment opportunity, and will not discriminate against any employee, student or applicant because of race, age, sex, color, sexual orientation, gender identification or expression, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry or national origin, marital status, genetic information, military or veteran status, domestic violence victim status, criminal conviction status, political affiliation or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.