Staff Generalist, College Counselor (Bilingual English/Spanish)

Compensation: $53,000 annually plus a robust benefits package, including health coverage, retirement plan with match, generous paid time off, commuter benefits and much more.
Required Language Proficiency: English and Spanish.

WHO WE ARE:
Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE) is a comprehensive community development organization based in New York City. For more than a half-century, AAFE has advanced racial, social, and economic justice for all, regardless of background. AAFE is an innovative nonprofit organization guided by the belief that people can only thrive when they have access to safe and stable housing, essential social services, and resources to achieve economic mobility for their families. Programs and services include affordable housing development and management, an array of community services, and small business financing and training. AAFE maintains offices in Chinatown and the Lower East Side (Manhattan) and Flushing and Jackson Heights (Queens).

WHY WE NEED YOU:
Reporting to the Program Manager, Youth & Family Development, the Staff Generalist serves AAFE’s mission to empower immigrant communities by providing support to office operations, direct client services, homelessness prevention and community outreach in Flushing, Queens. The full-time staff generalist also supports areas where there may be an increased service demand or during staff leaves of absence. This position may include a variety of short-term projects and collaboration with internal volunteers, interns and external community-based partnerships.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support daily operations of the College Office at Flushing High School.
• Educating students about colleges, the college admissions process, trends, procedures, and testing; advising and supporting students and families as they go through the process; and helping students and families aspire realistically and choose wisely.
• Planning and delivering parent/guardian workshops and programming to keep families informed and abreast of grade specific college goals, processes, and opportunities.
• Educate and support students on appropriate interviewing techniques, self-assessment tools and application essay writing techniques as well as vocational program applications and job searches.
• Generate a school-wide college preparation/awareness plan.
• Build Relationships with School Staff, Faculty, and Guidance Counselors to forward the goals and objectives of the College Office, AAFE Youth, and AAFE as a whole.
• Serve as a general resource for students, parents, and teaching faculty regarding admission criteria and college data.
• Share financial aid and scholarship information on a timely basis with students and families.
• Understand the college admission process at a variety of institution types and selectivity levels.
• Work effectively one-on-one with students and be able to address small or large gatherings of people to discuss the college admission and research process.
• Develop and facilitate college access, financial aid, and life-skills workshops for youth and their families at the three high schools and community centers.
• Provide updated and current guidance on financial aid including FAFSA, CSS Profile, and scholarships for all students as well as targeted support for students eligible for SEEK, EOP, HEOP, College Discovery, and other special programs.
• Help to plan for and administer PSAT, SAT, and test prep classes; maintaining and disseminating information about standardized tests such as SAT, ACT, and TOEFL as needed.
• Plan and supervise college trips, college fairs, all-school workshops and speakers, and other events aimed at building positive college culture and awareness within the school as a whole.
• Document and assess student data including, but not limited to, academic profiles, admissions, decisions, scholarship awards and student engagement.
• Provide support for youth and family-related programming and AAFE events as needed (i.e. college visits, career conferences, community service events, parent events, etc.).
• Assist Program Manager in preparing regular reports to funders.
• Participate in department and staff meetings and trainings.
• Support office operations as needed, including light chores to maintain office neatness.
• Provide administrative support if needed.

• Bilingual/Fluent in English/Spanish.
• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 2 years relevant experience in academic counseling/advisement.
• Understanding of immigrant communities and commitment to working with culturally diverse communities and environments; strong sense of social justice and belief in youth empowerment.
• Develop and maintain effective partnerships with school partners, program partners (CARA) and community stakeholders.
• Excellent organizational and computer skills including Google Suite, Microsoft Office Suite, and social media platforms.
• Highly motivated self-starter who is able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends.
• Strong analytical, verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to present information to a diverse client base- specifically racially, ethnically, and socially diverse.
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality of sensitive materials and information.
• Ability to prioritize and handle multiple complex projects.

• Ensure compliance with all grant/contract requirements.
• Attendance and punctuality; includes being on-time for work, being on-time for scheduled meetings, and planning for scheduled time-off in advance with supervisor approval.
• Overtime: obtain approval from supervisor prior to working overtime or comp time.
• Provide quality customer service to both internal and external partners and co-workers. This includes responding to emails within 24 hours, answering the phone by the 3rd ring when possible and giving a deadline and meeting the given deadline for responding to inquiries.
• Dress appropriately for the workplace and in accordance with our dress-code policy.
• Work as part of a team in supporting other AAFE program contracts and projects.
• Support efforts that ensure a safe and healthy work environment.
• Understand and embrace the value in collaborating with people of different cultures, races, genders, ethnicities, beliefs, experiences, and ideas.
• An understanding of the concepts of institutional and structural racism and bias and their impact on underserved and underrepresented communities.
• Maintain a positive, helpful attitude.
• Enjoy your time at work!