As a member of the College and Career Office (CCO), the College and Career Advisor, in keeping with the vision and the mission of the Renaissance Charter School, will help students graduate as “powerful thinkers, engaged citizens, and life-long learners who will create the renaissance of New York.” The CCO supports students' success in high school and in developing post-secondary plans.
Responsibilities:
Academic Support:
- Monitor students' academic progress and provide guidance to both students and parents regarding students’ advancement toward promotion and graduation.
- Review transcripts and progress reports on a regular, ongoing basis to ensure that students are appropriately programmed and on track to graduate.
- Create lesson plans and instruct College and Career Readiness courses to provide 9th through 12th grade students with the knowledge, skills, and attributes to succeed in college and career after graduation.
- Facilitate lessons on resume writing, interviewing skills, and college or vocational school admissions.
- Facilitate lessons on effective study skills, time management strategies, and organizational techniques.
- Provide resources and support for standardized test preparation (SAT, ACT).
- Help students create an academic and career portfolio as they prepare for postsecondary education and the world of work.
- Lead a student advisory.
Career Development and College Counseling:
- Guide students in exploring career interests, aptitudes, and goals through career assessments, exploration activities, and evaluation of grades, standardized tests, and other pertinent data.
- Help students identify their personal goals and create and implement post-secondary educational and employment goals and action plans.
- Support students in researching colleges, universities, and vocational programs that align with their academic and career aspirations.
- Conduct postsecondary planning meetings with students and their parents/guardians. - Assist with College Now and college applications, including essay writing, completing forms, and meeting deadlines.
- Provide information on financial aid, scholarships, and grants, and assist students in navigating the financial aid application process.
- Assist students in completing financial aid forms.
Administrative Responsibilities:
- Track and maintain relevant data (standardized test scores, college admissions, financial aid/scholarships, etc.).
- Attend meetings, professional development workshops, and training sessions to stay informed about educational trends, counseling techniques, and school policies.
- Attend evening meetings at various points throughout the school year.
- Write program and college letters of recommendation for students.
- Ensure the timely submission of college, scholarship, and program application materials, including letters of recommendation, faculty letters of recommendation, required forms, essays, and other supporting documents.
- Create and revise documents such as handbooks, letters, reports, flyers, presentations, and website-related materials.
- Prepare a yearly report for the TRCS Board of Trustees.
- Engage actively in parent relations and parent-related presentations on CCO matters.
- Develop relationships and network of college admissions officers through attendance at national and regional conferences.
- Organize meetings between college representatives and students both on and offsite.
- Use Google Classroom and PowerSchool to create and maintain updated classroom and assignment streams, distribute student work, and assess student work.
Collaboration and Communication:
- Assist in the planning and execution of CCO department events such as grade-level parent meetings, financial aid workshops, college visits, workshops, etc. in collaboration with the CCO team. - Perform other duties to accomplish the goals of the CCO.
- Work closely with teachers, parents, and administrators to monitor and support student progress.
- Participate in multidisciplinary teams to address the needs of students with special needs or at risk of academic failure.
- Collaborate with the Special Education Department to create transition plans for students with IEPs.
- Attend weekly meetings with the College and Career Office Team to set and review programmatic goals and plan implementation.
- Attend high school cluster meetings.
- Maintain open and effective communication with all stakeholders.
- Actively engage with the TRCS community in fulfilling its mission and charter goals.
In Addition:
- Work schedule is later than the regular school day.
- This is a year-round position.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Master's degree in school counseling or related field.
- Knowledge of NYS high school graduation requirements.
- Knowledge of counseling techniques, career development resources, and educational best practices.
- Knowledge of adolescent development.
- Demonstrated commitment to and experience with urban youth.
- Minimum experience of 3 years working with high school students in an urban setting.
- Possess strong reading, writing, and editing skills, necessary to assist with supporting students in their writing, and represent TRCS and the College Office in correspondence with outside agencies.
- Ability to multitask under intense deadlines.
- Ability to collaborate with external and internal stakeholders.
- Flexibility to work some evening hours.
- Strong organizational skills.
- Ability to clearly communicate complex information to different audiences.
- Strong work ethic, character, and personal integrity, and work with professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality.
- Understanding of relevant laws, regulations, and ethical standards related to student confidentiality and counseling practices.
- Knowledge of Windows and Mac platforms, MS Office, Excel, Access, Google Docs, Google Apps for Education, Mailchimp, and Wordpress.
Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.
Cover letters and resumes should be sent to Gavriella Arias at gavriellaarias@rencharter.org