Counselor Advocate, High School and College Success

STATEMENT OF THE AGENCY
Commonpoint is a multifaceted community center dedicated to sustaining and enhancing the quality of individual, family, and communal life throughout New York City, offering services to people of all ages, ability levels, stages of life, and backgrounds. They strive to meet the evolving needs of their community of over 100,000 members, ranging from providing in-school and after-school programs, professional and career development, assistance with food insecurity, legal services, financial counseling, mental health services, senior classes, dementia care programs, and tax preparation assistance, to name a few. Commonpoint has grown tremendously in the last five years and now has a mission-driven staff of 3,000 and over 80 sites in the five boroughs.

STATEMENT OF THE POSITION
Learning to Work (LTW) is a New York City Department of Education-funded program that supports students in
developing the academic, career, and life skills needed for success in high school, postsecondary education, and the workforce. Through individualized counseling, career exploration, work readiness training, college and career planning, internships, and youth development activities, the program helps students overcome barriers, stay engaged in school, and successfully transition to college and careers.
 

Within our framework of a holistic, strength-focused, and family-supported practice, an individual hired as an Advocate Counselor at North Queens Community High School will report directly to the Program Director at North Queens Community High School.

Responsibilities

• Establish a rapport with all program participants engaged in Commonpoint programming at the North Queens Community High School.
• Build and maintain supportive relationships with students and families to promote engagement, persistence, and success.
• Provide individual and group counseling, case management, and advocacy services to address academic, social-emotional, and post-secondary needs.
• Assist students in developing and achieving educational, career, and college goals through individualized planning and ongoing support.
• Facilitate workshops on college readiness, career exploration, work readiness, life skills, and youth development.
• Monitor student attendance, academic progress, participation, and overall outcomes, implementing interventions
  as needed.
• Support college access efforts, including college exploration, application completion, financial aid guidance, and postsecondary transition planning.
• Conduct outreach, recruitment, enrollment, and intake activities to maintain program participation and engagement.
• Collaborate with school staff, families, community partners, and agency personnel to coordinate services and support student success.
• Conduct home visits, as needed, for students experiencing chronic absenteeism to identify barriers to school attendance, strengthen family engagement, and connect students with appropriate supports and resources.
• Maintain accurate documentation, case notes, data tracking, and program reports in compliance with agency and funder requirements.
• Participate in team meetings, professional development, and school-based initiatives that advance program goals and student achievement.
• Provide wraparound support and referrals to youth and families, connecting them to resources that address basic needs, mental health, housing, employment, and other community-based services.

General Tasks of Commonpoint Staff

• Promote and uphold the Core Values of Commonpoint.
• Participate in all staff meetings and required training sessions.
• Participate in agency-wide programs, committees, and initiatives, as assigned.
• Actively engage in the supervision process as a supervisee.
• Support and advance the mission of Commonpoint.
• Contribute to agency-wide strategic initiatives, including but not limited to goal setting and professional development.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned that support the goals and operations of Commonpoint

Commonpoint reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

Commonpoint is an equal opportunity employers/programs. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree required. Master’s Degree in Psychology, Social Work, School Counseling, or related course of study preferred.
• At least two (2) years’ experience working with adolescents in an urban environment, providing services that reduce barriers and facilitate educational success and social-emotional well-being.
• At least two (2) years’ experience providing outcomes-oriented supervision and professional development to a team of youth development specialists.
• Demonstrated ability to establish strong rapport with an urban adolescent population and their families.
• Familiarity with various test prep and social-emotional learning curricula.
• Familiarity with NYS high school graduation requirements and experience with the college application and financial aid application processes.
• Bilingual strongly preferred.
• SIFI certification/eligibility preferred

BENEFITS AND PERKS
The benefits package includes comprehensive health, vision, and dental insurance, along with life insurance and a pension plan. Employees can take advantage of a flexible spending account and commuter benefits to help manage expenses. Paid time off (PTO) and floating holidays provide flexibility for personal time and work-life balance. The agency also offers a voluntary 403(b) retirement plan for additional financial security. Employees can enjoy various agency perks, including access to fitness centers, pool clubs, and discounts on agency programs. Additionally, the agency supports professional development through a scholarship program and a mentorship program.

JOB DETAILS
Annual Salary: $55,000 - $62,500
Non-Union Position
Location: North Queens Community High School

How to Apply
Please submit a cover letter and résumé, as a Word or PDF document only, to hscsd@commonpoint.org. Please
indicate “ Advocate Counselor, North Queens Community High School” in the subject line. Due to the high volume of applicants, only qualified candidates will be contacted.