Director of College Counseling; DCC), Buffalo

Description

Location: Buffalo Public Schools Partner Site (School assignment determined through the interview process)

Reports To: Associate Director of College Access Services

Position Type: Full-Time, School-Based

Student Leadership Network is seeking a dynamic, student-centered Director of College Counseling (DCC) to join our Buffalo team. The DCC plays a critical role in fostering a strong college and career-going culture within a Buffalo Public School by providing comprehensive college access, career readiness, and postsecondary planning services to students and families.

The DCC serves as a leader within the school community, collaborating with administrators, counselors, teachers, families, and community partners to ensure students have the knowledge, resources, and support necessary to successfully pursue their postsecondary goals.

The Director of College Counseling reports directly to the Associate Director of College Access Services.

• Provide individualized college and career counseling to students and families.
• Manage the college application, admissions, and financial aid process for all graduating seniors, ensuring students meet critical deadlines and maximize postsecondary opportunities.
• Support students with Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), NY State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), Say Yes Buffalo and other scholarship applications, college essays, and postsecondary planning.
• Build and maintain relationships with college admissions professionals to increase school visibility and create recruitment opportunities for students.
• Execute Student Leadership Network’s standard program components with fidelity, but not limited to:
  • Classroom presentations
  • Student workshops
  • Parent and family engagement events
  • College fairs
  • College campus visits and tours
  • Career exploration activities
• Supervise and support the College Transition Coach throughout the academic year and assist with summer College Bridge programming.
• Facilitate college transition and persistence programming that prepares students for success beyond high school.
• Recruit and support student participation in partner college programs and enrichment opportunities.
• Plan and implement educational activities, including:
  • Senior post‑secondary planning events
  • College and career readiness workshops
  • Summer bridge programs
• Support school tours, stakeholder visits, donor engagements, and presentations showcasing program outcomes and impact.

• Collaborate with school leadership, counselors, teachers, and staff to build and sustain a college and career-going culture.
• Support early college and career awareness programming across all grade levels through a distributed counseling model.
• Partner with faculty to integrate college and career readiness concepts into school programming and curriculum.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with community organizations, colleges, universities, and workforce partners.
• Engage parents and families through workshops, meetings, and outreach efforts related to college planning and financial aid.
• Serve as a visible, trusted, and accessible resource for students, families, and school stakeholders.

• Maintain accurate and timely student records and program data within Student Leadership Network databases and reporting systems.
• Monitor student progress toward college and career readiness benchmarks.
• Analyze data to identify trends, assess program effectiveness, and inform strategic planning.
• Generate reports and provide updates to school leadership and Student Leadership Network management.
• Ensure compliance with organizational, grant, and reporting requirements.
• Other duties as assigned;

• Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree in Education, School Counseling, Youth Services, Social Work, or a related field.
• Minimum of three years of experience in college access, secondary education, college counseling, youth development, or an educational nonprofit setting.
• Demonstrated…