Coordinator, Student Success Center

Statement of the Agency

Commonpoint is a non‑profit, multi‑service agency with flagship sites in Little Neck, Bayside, Forest Hills, East Elmhurst, and Jamaica with 80 additional sites throughout the community that provides a diverse array of programs and services to over 85,000 individuals. The mission is to sustain and enhance the quality of family and individual life for all members of our community, regardless of religion, ethnic or cultural background, national origin, gender identity or expression, sexual preference, age, or disability, within a pervasive and inclusive environment that facilitates individual growth, meets individual needs and builds community.

We accomplish this mission through a broad range of social, educational, and recreational services that reach community members of all ages and backgrounds.

Within our framework of a holistic, strength‑focused, and family‑supported practice, an individual hired as Coordinator, College Access Counselor will report directly to the Director, Student Success Center‑Flushing Campus. The Student Success Center (SSC) is a youth and adult‑staffed college access center that works to support college guidance teams, and grow a college‑going culture for the campus. The SSC provides additional resources and tools necessary for each student to reach his/hers post‑secondary education goals.

• Master’s Degree in Psychology, Social Work, School Counseling, or a related course of study with a bilingual extension is strongly preferred.
• At least three (3) years’ experience working with adolescents in an urban environment providing services that reduce barriers and facilitate educational success and social emotional wellbeing.
• Demonstrated ability to establish a strong rapport with an urban adolescent population and their families.
• Prior workshop/seminar development and implementation experience preferred; prior college counseling experience strongly preferred.
• Strong ability to create engaging and relevant activities for students and their families connected to college.
• Must have excellent organizational, teamwork, verbal and written communication skills.
• Must have a commitment of work from a strength‑based and/or youth development perspective.
• Foster and manage relationships with college personnel, including college administrators, professors, and staff who provide student support services.
• Experience working with a diverse group of students and ability to support students and hold them accountable as appropriate.
• Strong relationship‑building and group facilitation capabilities, incorporating cross cultural sensitivity.
• Deep understanding of positive youth development, education learning standards and issues facing immigrant and first‑generation youth in the U.S.
• College guidance experience and strong knowledge of the college application, financial aid and scholarship process.

• Collaborate with staff to offer college readiness activities to the broader student population and to create a culture of college anticipation on the Flushing High School campus.
• Participate in regular meetings with school‑based and agency staff on college and career readiness.
• Develop activities that enhance post‑secondary exploration.
• Work to assure that each student creates a clear attainable postgraduate plan.
• Provide direct individual and group college advisement.
• Arrange for student participation in college fairs, tours and retreats.
• Arrange speakers and panels related to college issues.
• Provide information on financial aid and planning and assistance with FAFSA and scholarship applications, as well as applications to SEEK, EOP, HEOP, and College Discovery programs.
• Provide assistance with college choice, exploration and completion of college applications in a timely manner.
• Provide workshops for parents on financial aid and the college choice and application process to inform and to attain their support for a college option.
• Regularly update student contact information.
• Provide parent orientation for students proceeding on to college in collaboration with school staff.
• Work and collaborate with the Persistence Team to effectively transition…