SCHOLAR COUNSELOR

Organization Summary: Oliver Scholars prepares high-achieving Black and Latinx students from underserved New York City communities for success at top independent schools and prestigious colleges. We provide crucial support for our Scholars so they can realize their full potential and ultimately give back to the city, the nation, and the world.

Position Summary & Reporting: Reporting to the Chief Program and Equity Officer, the Scholar Counselor will provide personal, academic, and college guidance to Scholars, in high school. In addition to serving as the primary point of contact for Scholars and their families, the counselor will be responsible for managing the institutional relationships between  Oliver Scholars and the academic counselors at the partner schools at which her/his  students are enrolled. S/he will be proactive, detail oriented, organized, and capable of strategic thinking. S/he must also have a strong sense of purpose and passion for creating access to education for underserved students and be aspirational with regards to their own professional development.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Engage Scholars in holistic guidance that encompasses personal, and academic counseling with a goal of positioning each Scholar for long-term success within their educational setting.

• Travel out of state to Oliver’s partner boarding schools and within NYC to day schools for in-person counseling visits with each scholar (50% travel).

• Maintain communication with scholars, families throughout the school year.

• Collaborate with school advisors, deans, and administration to monitor the scholars experience and academic success.

• Serve as advocate to parents and families around the independent school experience.

• Plan and supervise Leadership, Community Service and Educational enrichment programs in collaboration with the Scholar Services Department. 

• Assist with the planning and facilitation of Summer mini camps for high school scholars.

• Engage pre-scholars (8th grade students) once a month in the spring and Monday -Friday in the six week summer program as they begin their transition from middle school to high school.

• Travel with, monitor and engage students during the weeklong Boarding School immersion experience in the summer. 

• Travel with and supervise high school scholars in their junior year on the annual weeklong College tour in March.

• Provide support to other departments as needed and requested within the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree required, Master’s a plus.

• 3+ years engaging adolescents.

• Must have experience in guidance or supportive counseling.

• Willingness and ability to travel domestically.

• Most have a valid driver’s license.

• Bilingual (English/Spanish) a plus

• Must exhibit strong relationship, communication and writing skills.

• Must be self-motivated and able to work both independently and within a team structure.

• An understanding of the broad educational issues facing educational systems and students of color in particular

• Knowledge of independent day and boarding schools a plus

• Willingness and ability to work evenings and weekends as needed.

DESIRED COMPETENCIES:

• Ethics – Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; inspires the trust of others; works with integrity and ethically; upholds organizational values.

• Adaptability – Adapts to changes in the work environment; willing to learn new techniques and procedures; Manages competing demands; changes approach or method to best fit the situation; able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.

• Innovation & Initiative – Displays original thinking and creativity; Meets challenges with resourcefulness; Generates suggestions for improving work; Develops innovative approaches and  ideas; Presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others’ attention; Looks for and takes  advantages of opportunities.

• Planning/Organizing & Project Management – Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently; Plans for additional resources; Sets goals and objectives; Organizes or schedules other people and their tasks; Develops realistic action plans; Communicates changes and progress; Completes projects on time and budget.

• Interpersonal Skills – Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; listens to others without interrupting; keeps emotions under control; remains open to others’ ideas and tries new things

COMPENSATION: Salary range is $58,200 to $65,000

VACCINATION STATEMENT

We are committed to ensuring our office and alternate educational and event locations are safe for employees and the constituents we serve. The policy of the organization requires all employees to be vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19 to safeguard the health of our employees, visitors, partners, and the constituents we serve.

EEO

Oliver Scholars is committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis (“protected class”) including, but not limited to veteran status, uniform service member status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law.