Job Description

College Success Counselor

Reports to: College & Career Persistence Manager Status: Full-Time, Exempt

(Please note: This is a Hybrid role. Must be willing to work in the office 5 days a month)

At the Social Justice Learning Institute, we are dedicated to improving the education, health, and well-being of youth of color by empowering them to take hold of their educational future using research as a tool for community and social change. We train students to conduct research on problems in their community using a rigorous yearlong curriculum while providing basic academic support (i.e., tutoring, homework assistance, academic counseling, etc.) and college preparatory education. SJLI's youth learn what it takes to achieve academically in order to go to college and become civically engaged, solution oriented and critical participants in the democratic experience. SJLI envisions an educational system where youth become engaged citizens who discover their best talents and apply them to help improve the world they live within.

Job Summary:

This role falls into two major categories -- College Persistence and Career Pathway Development. This position is responsible for coordinating with Urban Scholars Alumni on various activities and events, while collaborating with the College & Career Persistence Manager on the creation, planning, implementation and supervision of activities of SJLI alumni that support their continuance and completion of their college education and/or career path.

This candidate must manage a caseload of our alumni (ages 18 thru 24), primarily those who are currently on a two or four year post-secondary education and secondarily those who need support on how to resume their education. Importantly, this position is responsible for tracking our alumni on their college path and collecting data on youth being served. This position will also work with the College & Career Persistence Manager to create reports that reflect the current landscape of our efforts towards postsecondary planning for Urban Scholar Seniors.

Position Summary:

Provide individual and group interventions for SJLI alumni who are currently in college or employment programming, while co-creating a plan with the Academic & Career Support Coordinator for post-secondary pathways for graduating seniors. This program provides a range of youth development services to promote access to and persistence in college and career.

Responsibilities:

Coordinate Alumni Post-Secondary Planning
Work in collaboration with College and Career Persistence Manager to coordinate a plan to support SJLI alumni's persistence through college.
If needed, work with families to bolster college knowledge and engagement in the importance of continuing the college path.
Review and monitor students' financial arrangements and financial aid to ensure maximum aid is attained and students can budget appropriately.
Collect and Review Progress report with students to ensure they are on track to graduate
Provide targeted outreach, engagement and education activities to Urban Scholar Alumni to increase education, economic viability, and personal resilience.
Maintain an attitude of professionalism, collegiality, and optimism with both staff and youth to promote the welfare and well-being of the youth
Cultivate a working knowledge and relationship with relevant community resources to create linkages that meet the needs of the young adults
Coordinate, plan and implement activities, events and workshops.
Guide Out of School Alumni back to school or Unemployed Urban Scholars Alumni into their desired career fields.

College Success

Help with the design and refinement of SJLI's college counseling model with an eye toward long-term college persistence for SJLI scholars.
Monitor and support SJLI alumni academic and non-academic persistence goals (e.g. organizational skills, self-advocacy, grit) while they are in college.
Provide individual counseling to a cohort of SJLI alumni enrolled in college to maximize their opportunities for success in college. Subjects include class registration, financial aid procedures, social service needs, academic support and personal concerns.
Collaborate with college personnel to provide the necessary support needed for degree completion including academic advising, mentoring, financial aid assistance, educational workshops, textbook funds, and public transportation assistance.
Develop academic monitoring and early warning systems to address risks to college retention.
Act as a liaison between Urban Scholars Seniors, SJLI alumni and colleges.
Coordinate 1 on 1's with SJLI alumni to provide assistance for college re-entry, including financial aid, FAFSA, college, and scholarship application assistance.
Identify the need for alumni scholarship awards and/or needed alumni resources.

Data Tracking and Reporting

Maintain consistent contact with Urban Scholars Alumni at the colleges.
Update database that tracks Urban Scholars Alumni College status
Keep track of senior college portal logins
Updates student data information on a bi-monthly basis
Document phone calls/email correspondence pertaining to Urban Scholars Alumni progress
Maintain Urban Scholar Seniors and SJLI alumni student records.
Generate monthly reports updating status of client caseload.
Track SJLI alumni scholarship awards and provided alumni resources

Knowledge, skills and abilities:

Exceptional interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills
Has a social justice framework and is knowledgeable of the tenets of equity.
Able to demonstrate a commitment to the goals, guidelines, and principles the Social Justice Learning Institute
Able to maintain confidentiality
Possesses a valid Texas Driver's License
Able to obtain a live scan/background clearance
Availability to occasionally work on weeknights and weekends
Able to form strong relationships with a wide range of constituents, including, but not limited to, parents, students, staff and leadership
Ability to collaborate in a team environment
Experience in working with young people from the youth development perspective

Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in education, psychology, social welfare, or related field AND/OR 3 - 5 years of experience in a similar non-profit role

COVID Workplace Safety Requirements

This position is currently hybrid with remote and in office activities, 5 days a month. Occasional requirements include interacting with employees, donors, vendors and others who may or may not be vaccinated or recently tested. You can wear personal protection equipment (PPE) at your discretion. SJLI adheres to the directives provided by the LA County Department of Public Health protocols. Currently, weekly COVID testing is offered to all SJLI team members, as part of our COVID-19 Prevention Plan.

This job was posted on Wed May 31 2023 and expired on Tue Jun 20 2023.

Minimum $45K /yr

$60K /yr Average

Maximum $75K /yr

Tasks

Provide crisis intervention to students when difficult situations occur at schools.

Confer with parents or guardians, teachers, administrators, and other professionals to discuss children's progress, resolve behavioral, academic, and other problems, and to determine priorities for students and their resource needs.

Identify cases of domestic abuse or other family problems and encourage students or parents to seek additional assistance from mental health professionals.

Counsel individuals to help them understand and overcome personal, social, or behavioral problems affecting their educational or vocational situations.

Counsel students regarding educational issues, such as course and program selection, class scheduling and registration, school adjustment, truancy, study habits, and career planning.

Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.

Prepare students for later educational experiences by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.

Teach classes and present self-help or information sessions on subjects related to education and career planning.

Provide special services such as alcohol and drug prevention programs and classes that teach students to handle conflicts without resorting to violence.

Conduct follow-up interviews with counselees to determine if their needs have been met.

Instruct individuals in career development techniques, such as job search and application strategies, resume writing, and interview skills.

Plan and promote career and employment-related programs and events, such as career planning presentations, work experience programs, job fairs, and career workshops.

Plan and conduct orientation programs and group conferences to promote the adjustment of individuals to new life experiences, such as starting college.

Evaluate students' or individuals' abilities, interests, and personality characteristics, using tests, records, interviews, or professional sources.

Collaborate with teachers and administrators in the development, evaluation, and revision of school programs and in the preparation of master schedules for curriculum offerings.

Observe students during classroom and play activities to evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.

Establish and enforce administration policies and rules governing student behavior.

Address community groups, faculty, and staff members to explain available counseling services.

Prepare reports on students and activities as required by administration.

Attend meetings, educational conferences, and training workshops and serve on committees.

Compile and study occupational, educational, and economic information to assist counselees in determining and carrying out vocational and educational objectives.

Plan, direct, and participate in recruitment and enrollment activities.

Supervise, train, and direct professional staff and interns.

Review transcripts to ensure that students meet graduation or college entrance requirements and write letters of recommendation.

Provide students with information on topics, such as college degree programs and admission requirements, financial aid opportunities, trade and technical schools, and apprenticeship programs.

Refer students to degree programs based on interests, aptitudes, or educational assessments.

Assess needs for assistance, such as rehabilitation, financial aid, or additional vocational training, and refer clients to the appropriate services.

Establish and supervise peer counseling and peer tutoring programs.

Provide information for teachers and staff members involved in helping students or graduates identify and pursue employment opportunities.

Establish contacts with employers to create internship and employment opportunities for students.

Provide disabled students with assistive devices, supportive technology, and assistance accessing facilities, such as restrooms.

Refer qualified counselees to employers or employment services for job placement.

Interview clients to obtain information about employment history, educational background, and career goals, and to identify barriers to employment.

Sponsor extracurricular activities, such as clubs, student organizations, and academic contests.

Skills

Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Learning Strategies - Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Persuasion - Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.

Negotiation - Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.

Instructing - Teaching others how to do something.

Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.

Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Systems Analysis - Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.

Systems Evaluation - Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.

Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Knowledge

Clerical - Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.

Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Psychology - Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.

Sociology and Anthropology - Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.

Therapy and Counseling - Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.

Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.