College Success Counselor

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 SJLI 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 High School Seniors in our various programs.

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 Services 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 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.

• Visit students on campus, when necessary.

• Act as a liaison between SJLI High School 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 Alumni at the colleges.

• Update database that tracks Alumni College status

• Keep track of college portal logins

• Updates student data information on a daily/weekly basis

• Document phone calls/email correspondence pertaining to Alumni progress

• Maintain 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 of the Social Justice Learning Institute

• Able to maintain confidentiality

• Possesses a valid California Driver’s License

• Able to obtain a live scan 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 Core Competencies:

• At SJLI, we believe that how we approach our work is just as important as what we achieve. The following core competencies reflect the values, skills, and mindsets that are critical for success in the Academic & Career Services Coordinator role and throughout our organization. These competencies guide our hiring decisions, inform our performance evaluations, and shape our professional development efforts. We seek candidates who demonstrate strength in these areas and a commitment to continual growth and learning.

• Team Member Competencies:

● Ownership: Takes responsibility for youth programs, outcomes, and stakeholder relationships, showing initiative and follow-through.
● Cultural Humility: Demonstrates respect and openness to diverse perspectives and experiences within the youth communities SJLI serves.
● Workload Management: Effectively prioritizes tasks and manages time to meet deadlines and achieve program goals.

Leadership Competencies:

● Develops and Motivates Others: Inspires and supports the growth of youth participants, volunteers, and team members in program activities and advocacy efforts.
● Emotional Awareness: Demonstrates empathy and understanding in interactions with youth, team members, and community partners, particularly when addressing sensitive social justice issues.

● External Relationship Builder: Cultivates and maintains strong partnerships with youth-serving organizations, schools, and other key stakeholders to advance SJLI’s youth-focused initiatives.
● Continuous Improvement Minded: Consistently seeks ways to enhance youth programs, engagement strategies, and advocacy efforts for greater impact.
● Strategic Thinking: Aligns youth programs with SJLI’s broader goals and mission, anticipating challenges and opportunities in youth engagement and advocacy.
● Manages with Data: Uses data-driven insights to inform decision-making, evaluate the effectiveness of youth programs, and improve outcomes.

Candidates are encouraged to share how they have demonstrated these competencies in their past experiences and how they would apply them in this role. SJLI is committed to supporting the ongoing development of these competencies through mentorship, training, and professional development opportunities.

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

Keywords

College SuccessCareer PathwayAcademic CounselingCollege PreparatoryYouth DevelopmentPost-Secondary EducationData TrackingReportingInterpersonal CommunicationSocial JusticeEquityConfidentialityCalifornia Driver's LicenseTeam CollaborationYouth DevelopmentCultural HumilityWorkload ManagementEmotional AwarenessStrategic ThinkingData Management