College Counselor (Sr.)

College Counselor (Sr.) - High School

(2024 - 2025 School Year)

Coney Island Preparatory Public Charter School

Brooklyn, New York

What is the Role?

College Counselors play a central role in fostering a college-going culture and ensuring that 100% of our scholars are on the road to acceptance and matriculation. Bring your passion for working with teens (and experiencing  their success!) to Coney Island Prep (CIP) where you’ll work closely with the Vice Principal of College and Career Readiness, your fellow College Counselor (Jr.), and the Alumni Success Team. Together you’ll increase awareness about college life, guide a caseload of 50 scholars and families through the college search process, and support scholars in their applications with the support of our PRIDE Promise matching scholarship. The College Counselor will be hired by and report to the Vice Principal of College and Career Readiness. 

What You’ll Be Asked To Do

• Manage the college application and financial aid process throughout the school year 
• Adhere to due dates for college applications, material submission, financial aid applications, scholarships, enrollment, and family engagement
• Plan and lead workshops for families on key topics such as college applications, college fit, financial aid planning, and admissions policies
• Collaborate and co-lead professional development for staff on writing letters of recommendation; manage college letters of recommendation for all students in caseload
• Integrate the use of Overgrad and Naviance as a counseling tool for scholars, staff, and families 
• Develop and maintain a robust network of college admissions administrators through regular communication and visits from and to colleges and universities that best support first generation, low income, college students
• Maintain regular communication with a network of colleges and universities to support admissions and financial aid offerings to improve CIP’s visibility and reputation 
• Collaborate with the College Team, Operations Team, and Alumni Success Team to plan and execute successful college trips based on colleges/universities that best support holistic fit and match options for our scholars 
• Ensure students take advantage of special opportunities made available to low-income students in the college search and application process such as fee waivers, fly-in visits, university partner programs, and scholarships
• Co-facilitate College Readiness for Families night with Jr. Counselors to ensure students and families understand the college application process, receive support in FAFSA completion, and prepare for the transition from High School to College
• Ensure students complete matriculation checklist tasks for their best fit college until enrollment decisions are made
• In collaboration with the Alumni Success Team and Director of Data and Analytics, utilize data to inform counseling best practices
• Utilize application tracking tools and adapt as needed to ensure up to date information on student progress
• Beginning in the 3rd quarter, provide one-on-one college counseling to a caseload of approximately 50 juniors; help them develop college lists and personal statements
• Collaborate with the Junior College Counselor to ensure college list building is aligned to student opportunities, interests, and goals

What You’ll Need

• Passion for education and a dedication to Coney Island Prep’s mission, beliefs, and values and its commitment to anti-racism 
• Steadfast belief that all scholars can achieve at the highest academic levels and deserve an opportunity to succeed in the college and career of their choice
• Dedication to eradicating the effects of racism, poverty and other forms of oppression in our school community by making resources, opportunities, support systems, and classrooms equitable and accessible for all our stakeholders
• Proven organizational, oral, and written communication skills; timeliness; accuracy; and consistent and regular communication; and ability to meet due dates
• A service-oriented mindset that keeps our families and students at the center of decision-making 
• Awareness that each piece of communication is reflective of our school’s reputation and advances our brand
• Knowledge of data tracking systems such as Naviance, Overgrad, Schoolrunner, Google Suite, and Beyond 12  is a plus, but not required 
• Self-reflective and open to feedback, with the ambition and desire to grow and develop
• A positive, solutions-oriented attitude and drive for excellence
• Interpersonal skills to foster relationships with college staff, school staff, scholars and their families
• Bachelor’s degree and background in college counseling, preferably in a charter school
• Multilingual proficiency a plus; Spanish, Russian, or Cantonese preferred
• Ability to coordinate and attend occasional after school, weekend events and overnight trips 

Who are we?

Coney Island Prep is a college preparatory public charter school in Brooklyn, New York. Merging growth, performance, and commitment, the Coney Island Prep community takes its responsibility to prepare scholars for the college and career of their choice very seriously, but not ourselves. We balance our sense of ownership and responsibility with humility and levity and support each other every step of the way. Coney Island Prep currently serves over 1,300 scholars across its four schools, including:

• 312 scholars in kindergarten – second grade at the lower elementary school
• 336 scholars in third – fifth grade at the upper elementary school
• 348 scholars in sixth – eighth grades at the middle school
• 349 scholars in ninth-twelfth grade at the high school

Commitment to Anti-racism, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice

Coney Island Prep is committed to building a team that collectively reflects the various backgrounds, experiences, and identities of our scholars. We recognize and respond to different points of access, so that everyone maximizes their highest potential. We also recognize that because of institutionalized racism and systemic oppression, historically marginalized groups are at a disadvantage when it comes to most application and hiring processes. We want to ensure that all candidates, regardless of their identity, are able to demonstrate their qualifications and are not limited by a lack of opportunity or access. We are committed to creating a space where everyone’s identity is acknowledged, respected, and welcomed. We are intentional about creating an environment where people feel comfortable being their authentic selves at work by constantly examining our organization culture and challenging our traditions.

Benefits and Compensation

• Employees at Coney Island Prep are provided with salaries that are highly competitive, set through a lens of equity, and based on an individual’s skills and experiences relevant to the role. The salary range for this role is from $80,000 - 85,000. 
• As a regular full time employee of Coney Island Prep, you will be eligible for benefits that include medical, dental, vision, and life insurance as well as a 403(b) retirement benefit package with match and Paid Family Leave.
• Staff are provided with a MacBook Air and access to all the necessary technology and resources needed to succeed in their role.

Are you “All In?” This position starts July 1st, 2024. To apply, head to our Careers Page!

Coney Island Preparatory Public Charter School is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital or familial status, national origin, citizenship or disability. We want Coney Island Prep to be a place where students and staff of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities feel as though they are valued and can excel.