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Retention Specialist, Center for Higher Education and Career Support

Employer
Harlem Children's Zone
Location
New York, NY, US
Salary
Competitive

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The Center for Higher Education and Career Support (CHECS) provides year-round academic, administrative and emotional support as well as financial and career preparation to participants of HCZ's Promise Academy high schools and afterschool programs. Our mission is to ensure that our participants are provided the resources and guidance needed to be successful in college and beyond. The main components of the CHECS include: student outreach, academic support and guidance, financial aid advisement, college transfer assistance, summer and winter internship opportunities, and community building efforts within our program.

We are seeking a Retention Specialist to provide counseling to recent high school graduates not entering college and college students facing academic probation. The Retention Specialist will work closely with College Counselors and other stakeholders to identify and address student challenges and ensure student retention and success through college graduation or professional program enrollment. The Retention Specialist will take the lead on all student retention initiatives including counseling and academic advising services. The ideal candidate will have a working knowledge of the practice, procedures, and trends in student affairs, student retention, and advising, with demonstrated experience with programs and resources that support retention and academic success of college students, particularly at-risk student populations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
  • Manage a caseload of 100 plus students struggling after high school and in college using the appreciative advising model focusing on college transition/persistence/completion and career readiness
  • Prepare and implement individual intervention plans for students including but not limited to academic skills assistance, tutoring, counseling, and/or career guidance, and other resources to improve academic standing
  • Provide advising services with a focus on persistence and completion, career readiness, academic and social integration and transfer options
  • Train students in techniques to monitor their own progress toward achieving educational, personal, and career goals
  • Collaborate with the CHECS College Readiness Specialist and Lead Counselor in the development, facilitation, and delivery of programs such as the Advance to Start Program
  • Partner with College Counselors and university partners on student issues relating to performance, probation, and potential disqualifications to meet retention goals
  • Work with College Counselors and other staff to assist in organizing and facilitating student workshops
  • Analyze retention and attrition data to identify trends and potential solutions
  • Generate standardized reports on student progress and files
  • Maintain documentation of student interactions with counselors, faculty, and family
  • Research effective high school and college/university retention programs
  • Provide direction to students for navigating academic and non-academic resources on campus, online, and in the community

Qualification, Skills and Knowledge Requirements
  • Bachelor's degree in Education, Counseling, or related social services field required; Master's degree preferred in Higher Education, Counseling, or Social Services related field
  • At least two-three years of experience in student advising, retention strategies and of data-driven methods to identify students at risk such as early warning indicators
  • Knowledge of admissions and enrollment policies, alternative programs/vocational studies.
  • Knowledge of higher education, financial aid, and postsecondary education
  • Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, ability to complete tasks accurately and in a timely manner
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Outlook
  • Ability and willingness to work a flexible schedule to accommodate the needs of the program including evening, and some weekends



We offer competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package. To be considered, interested applicants must submit a cover letter and resume. No telephone inquiries or recruiters please. Replies will only be sent to qualified applicants. HCZ is an EOE.

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