College Success Counselor (25/26 School Year)

Job Description

Job DescriptionSalary: $67,000-$80,000

Working at Brooklyn Lab is unlike teaching in a traditional environment. Our faculty know the individual strengths and areas for growth of each of their scholars. By design, our schools are small communities where every scholar is seen, known, and heard.

Our faculty understands the value of collaboration. They share best practices across the teams and contents, engage in weekly professional development, get individualized feedback from passionate coaches, and work as a team to provide their scholars with a high-quality education.

We invite you to be part of a transformation in education and to inspire a diverse group of scholars with a lifelong love of learning. We are an unapologetically college-preparation program, and we know that exceptional results require exceptional preparation. We have an extended school year and school day, from 8:00 am - 4:00 pm, to ensure our scholars grow at exceptional levels.

College Success Counselor Opportunity

The College Success Counselor position provides support to Brooklyn Lab scholars and creates a college-going culture with a focus on persistence, completion, and career readiness.

Strategic Partnerships & External Engagement

• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with postsecondary institutions, scholarship providers, and workforce partners.
• Develop and sustain internship and job placement pipelines for students through external partnerships.
• Represent LAB at events such as college fairs, open houses, orientations, graduations, and student recognition ceremonies.
• Foster partnerships with college admissions professionals and university outreach centers.

College Counseling & Application Support

• Lead and manage the entire college application process, offering personalized guidance and support to all students.
• Ensure 100% of seniors have comprehensive, balanced college lists that include match, reach, and safety schools.
• Assist students in drafting and revising compelling personal statements and application essays.
• Write detailed, personalized letters of recommendation for all seniors and support faculty in the recommendation process.
• Provide direct advising on financial aid processes, including FAFSA and CSS Profile completion, reviewing award letters, and supporting families in making informed matriculation decisions.

Academic Readiness & Instructional Support

• Co-teach or push into 11th and 12th-grade classes to deliver curriculum on college readiness, applications, and financial literacy.
• Support standardized test administration (SAT, PSAT) and manage associated preparation programs and logistics.
• Counsel students on academic standing, graduation requirements, and promotion criteria (Operation Finish Line).

Family Engagement & Student Advocacy

• Develop and deliver strategic communication, events, and workshops for families to demystify the college and financial aid process.
• Engage families to raise awareness of postsecondary opportunities and support their students' application journeys.
• Create a positive, inclusive, college-going culture that prioritizes building relationships and one-on-one support for all students.

Data, Systems, and Outcomes Tracking

• Maintain accurate and confidential student college admissions files and academic records.
• Use platforms like Overgrad, Naviance, and College Board tools to streamline counseling efforts and data management.
• Track and analyze key performance indicators such as:
  • Year-over-year improvements in graduation rates and SAT performance.
  • FAFSA submission rates (target: 80%+).
  • Four-year college application rates and acceptance rates (target: 80%+).
  • College enrollment and matriculation trends.
• Monitor at-risk students and develop personalized intervention plans through early-alert systems and retention data analysis.

Alumni & Transition Support

• Provide support to alumni throughout their postsecondary transition and track their progress toward college matriculation.
• Collaborate with internal staff and external stakeholders to secure ongoing internship and employment opportunities for alumni.

College Success Counselor Qualifications

• Bachelors degree required
• Masters degree in student personnel administration, counseling, higher education or a related field preferred
• Minimum of two years experience providing direct counseling, advising, and coaching to high school students
• Working knowledge of current retention practice theories with an emphasis on research, assessment, and data-informed decision making
• Familiarity with the challenges and opportunities for first-generation college students
• Strong financial aid and scholarship support knowledge and experience
• Demonstrated event planning and project management skills
• Strong interpersonal, oral and written communication skills

ABOUT BENEFITS & COMPENSATION:

Salary range: $67,000-$80,000, commensurate with experience.

In addition to competitive salaries, the Brooklyn LAB benefits package includes:

• 80% cost share of health, dental, and vision plans
• Short & long term disability for eligible employees
• Free life insurance benefit of salary (up to a maximum of $100,000)
• Premium gym membership discount to LIFETIME GYM nationwide
• Pre-tax commuter and parking benefits
• 100% matching contribution up to 6% to a LAB 403(b) retirement plan
• An individual professional development allowance per school year

BECOME BROOKLYN LAB!

Brooklyn LAB is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes candidates of diverse backgrounds and is committed to equal access for those with disabilities in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).