College Success Counselor
Youth Photo League (YPL) Program
Reports to:
Education Director
Location:
Bronx, NY (in-person)
Time Commitment
Commitment of 10-15 hours in-person per week is required. Due to changing/flexible needs of the fellows and the BDC, it is understood that the weekly hours fluctuate including working on weeknights and weekends.
Compensation
$65.00 – $100.00 per hour, commensurate with experience
How to Apply
Please send a resume and cover letter to jobs@bronxdoc.org with “College Success Counselor” in the subject line.
Bronx Documentary Center
The Bronx Documentary Center (BDC) is a non-profit gallery and educational space that uses community-based documentary practice and education to explore vital issues, stimulate critical thought, and drive social change. Through documentary photography, film, and multimedia storytelling, BDC fosters dialogue around contemporary local, national, and global issues.
Youth Photo League (YPL)
The Youth Photo League (YPL) is a free documentary photography and college success program serving middle- and high-school students in the South Bronx. Students use documentary practice to explore their communities, families, and environments while focusing on social justice issues in the South Bronx. Students use documentary practice to explore their communities, families, and environments while focusing on social justice issues, gaining an immersive experience in the technical craft of photography and photo editing alongside critical thinking, visual and news literacy, and writing. Our students learn the best practices in modern journalism.
YPL serves approximately 100 students each year in our after school program (October-June) and during the summer (July-August), and continues to support alumni well beyond graduation. Junior and senior students are required to participate in YPL’s dedicated college success program.
Students in our program have received recognition from the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, The New York Times, the BBC, and Photoville, and have traveled to share their work in Maine, Japan, and Norway.
Position Overview
The College Success Counselor provides comprehensive college counseling to YPL’s high school students, supporting them in setting college goals, building college lists, writing essays, navigating financial aid, and applying for scholarships. The Counselor works closely with students and their families throughout the college application process–through one-on-one meetings, group workshops, and college tours. The role’s ultimate goal is ensuring every YPL student graduates ready to thrive in college and their professional pursuits, and stays connected to BDC’s strong and growing alumni network.
Qualifications
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust with students, parents, colleagues, and community members
• Comfort using data to track and improve college counseling outcomes
• Strong digital literary, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel) and Google Suite
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, multi-tasking environment with strong attention to detail
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• An energetic, collaborative, self-starter approach to work
ª Prior experience in college counseling, youth development or education strongly preferred
• Spanish language proficiency a plus, given the community BDC serves
Responsibilities
Individualized Student Support
• Provide weekly one-on-one counseling to 11th-12th grade students in the fall, and biweekly in the spring, on college and/or career trajectory
• Provide counseling to 11-12th grade students at least weekly
• Check in over the summer with rising seniors and students preparing to matriculate
• Identify and encourage seniors to apply for full scholarships
• Build relationships with parents and guardians regarding students’ college and career trajectories
• Co-coordinate volunteers assisting with college applications each fall
• Advise current 8th graders on high school placement and facilitate related conversations with parents
Workshops and College Tours
• Coordinate up to 7 college success workshops per year for 9th-12th graders, covering FAFSA, the college essay, financial aid award letters, and application processes for 11th graders
• Coordinate college visits, including NYC-based, upstate universities, and private universities, which may include overnight trips
Alumni Connections
• Maintain ongoing contact with YPL alumni
• Provide one-on-one check-ins and college support as needed
• Coordinate an annual alumni gathering, in person or virtual
• Connect alumni and current students for peer discussion of college experiences
Outreach and Administration
• Coordinate with students’ high school counselors and college admissions and financial aid officers as needed
• Build and maintain relationships with college/university admissions, assistance programs, and financial aid offices
• Maintain partnerships with PASE, CACNY, Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC)
• Meet regularly with the Education Director including weekly check-ins and an annual college success strategic planning session
• Maintain a student database tracking goals, applications, and acceptances
• Complete an annual program report each June, detailing where students applied, were accepted, and matriculated
• Attend education program meetings and debriefs, student orientations, and program’s’ final exhibition presentation
General
• Attend YPL education program trainings as advised and approved by Education Director
• Attend staff meetings as needed
• Represent and articulate BDC’s mission and work to the public
• Support other operational and administrative tasks as assigned by the Education Director and Executive Director