What are the responsibilities and job description for the College Persistence Counselor, College Persistence position at CYPRESS HILLS LOCAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION INC?
Job Details
Description
With community residents leading the way, the mission of Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation (CHLDC) is to build a strong, sustainable Cypress Hills/East New York, where youth and adults achieve educational and economic success, secure healthy and affordable housing, and develop leadership skills to transform their lives and community.
Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation has an opening for one (1) full-time College Persistence Counselor to provide individual and group interventions for youth as part of our College Success Programs. The programs provide a range of youth development services to promote access to and persistence in college.
Program Overview:
Our college persistence programming operates on a three-tiered model. In tier 1, we provide universal, preventive interventions. All of our students receive this information, and for about 70% or 80% of our students these interventions will provide the resources they need. This may be done through workshops or newsletters, text blasts or other reminders, so students have the general knowledge they need to be a successful college student and a compass for when tasks must be done. Our college coaches engage with students in Tier 1, prepping tutorials and answering students’ questions, and if additional support is needed, they will get referred to Tier 2, targeted interventions.
In tier 2, our counselors are engaging with students directly and helping them navigate their barriers or issues. For example, helping a student with an academic appeal letter or a complicated financial aid situation. Counselors will spend one-on-one and group time with students at the Tier 2 level, until the challenge has been resolved.
Still, we anticipate that some students (about 5%) will need even more support that goes beyond our counselor expertise and work scope. If a counselor finds a student needs help beyond our program’s capacity, or that an additional help or resource is needed, they would fall into Tier 3 and be referred to another organization, like orgs that help with housing or mental health etc.
Principal Duties:
● Provide individual counseling to a cohort of youth enrolled in college to maximize their opportunities for success in college. Subjects include class registration, financial aid procedures, social service needs, academic support, appeal processes, college transfers, and personal concerns.
● Provide responsive assistance to college bound high school seniors through targeted workshops at partner high schools and facilitation of key matriculation steps, including but not limited to:
o Completion of commitment forms
o Immunization record submission
o Scheduling placement tests and subsequent recommendations based on scores
o Verification worksheets and loan counseling
o Confirming orientations, class schedules and financial aid
● Directly supervise and train 1-3 college coaches--current college students who serve as peer mentors to program participants
● Review and monitor students’ financial arrangements and financial aid to assure maximum aid is attained and managed and student can budget appropriately.
● Develop student records and portfolio, including academic monitoring and early warning system to address risks to retention.
● Coordinate activities including tutoring, social activities, transition programs or other special events.
● Collaborate with college personnel to provide the necessary supports needed for degree completion including academic advisement, mentoring, financial aid assistance, educational workshops, textbook funds, and weekly metro cards
● Maintain weekly contact with caseload on-site (or virtually) and at the colleges.
● Act as liaison between students, colleges and other related agencies.
● Generate monthly reports updating status of client caseload.
● Attend all meetings and trainings relevant to work.
● Other duties as assigned
Position Requirements:
● Bachelor’s degree in education, social work, counseling or related field.
● Knowledge of college admissions and financial aid process.
● Experience in working with young people from the youth development perspective.
● Demonstrated ability to engage students on a regular basis with consistent follow up, as necessary
● Must have a flexible schedule.
● Must possess strong teamwork, communication (verbal and written), and organizational skills.
● Bilingual (Spanish/English) preferred.
● Passionate about ensuring young people's success in college
● Highly computer literate
Supervision:
- Reports directly to the Director of College Persistence, Aderys Adames.
Compensation:
- $53,500.00 dependent upon experience. We also offer a very competitive benefits package.
To Apply:
- Please forward your cover letter, resume and three (3) references to Aderys Adames at aderysa@cypresshills.org.
CYPRESS HILLS LOCAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER AND IS COMMITTED TO WORKPLACE DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION.
We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. We promote recognition and respect for individual and cultural differences, and we work to make our employees feel valued and appreciated, whatever their race, gender, background, or sexual orientation.
We offer competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and a pleasant working environment. Salary is based on a nonprofit scale and commensurate with experience.
EOE Minorities/Women/Disabled/Veterans
Salary : $53,500
