Early Pathways Advisor

Advisor, Ignite – Early Pathways High School and College Success Academy for Careers in Television & Film Statement of the Agency

Commonpoint is a non‑profit, multi‑service agency with flagship sites in Little Neck, Bayside, Forest Hills, East Elmhurst, Jamaica, and the Bronx, 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 holistic, strength‑based, and family‑supported framework, the individual hired as the Early Pathways Advisor in the High School and College Success Division will report directly to the Program Coordinator. This role is primarily focused on early post‑secondary preparation for 9th‑ and 10th‑grade students at the Academy for Careers in Television & Film High School.

The Advisor will provide structured college and career readiness programming that builds foundational awareness of post‑secondary pathways, strengthens academic and social‑emotional readiness, and supports students in developing early post‑secondary plans. This includes individual and group advisement, workshop facilitation, family engagement, and collaboration with school‑based staff.

• Master’s Degree in Psychology, Social Work, School Counseling, or related field.
• Bilingual in Spanish (required) – strong verbal and written fluency.
• At least three years of experience working with adolescents in an urban environment, providing services that reduce barriers and facilitate educational success and social‑emotional well‑being.
• Demonstrated ability to establish a strong rapport with an urban adolescent population and their families. Prior workshop/seminar development and implementation experience is preferred; prior college counseling experience is 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 to work from a strength‑based and/or youth development perspective. 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.
• Strong knowledge of other post‑secondary pathways: vocational/trade schools and certificate programs.

• Provide college and career readiness advisement to 9th and 10th grade students at the Academy for Careers in Television & Film High School with a focus on early post‑secondary exploration, academic goal setting, and pathway awareness.
• Deliver individual and small group advisement sessions that support students in developing foundational understanding of post‑secondary options including college, vocational and trade programs, military pathways, certificate programs, and other career opportunities.
• Design and implement engaging, developmentally appropriate workshops for students and families focused on high school success skills, early college and career exploration, introduction to post‑secondary systems such as CUNY, SUNY, and Common App, early financial literacy and college affordability awareness, and goal setting aligned to graduation requirements.
• Develop and facilitate family engagement activities to increase awareness of post‑secondary pathways and strengthen family understanding of high school expectations and college readiness milestones. Collaborate with school staff, counselors, and administrators to integrate…