Advocate Counselor

Title: Advocate Counselor

Reports To: Program Director, Boys and Girls YABC

Location: 1700 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, NY 11213

Hours: 35 Hours/Week; Exempt(12-month)

Schedule: Mon-Thurs: 12:30PM to 8:30PM, Friday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Summer Hours (Vary)

Salary: $44,000 - $50,000

Job Summary:

The Advocate Counselor provides individual and group counseling, case management, advocacy, referrals and crisis intervention to over-aged, under-credited participants in the Young Adult Borough Center (YABC). The Advocate Counselor also assists in implementing other aspects of the program in close collaboration with agency and school personnel.

Major Duties:

• Develop and implement workshops responsive to student needs.
• Assist students in attending school regularly through identifying obstacles and connecting with resources; attendance outreach including home visits.
• Assist in carrying out other aspects of the program including planning/attending trips, celebrations, and leadership activities.
• Support students with all aspects of the college preparation process including applications, financial aid, personal essay, and college visits.
• Refer youth and families to relevant resources within Good Shepherd Services and other community organizations.
• Function as an active member of Good Shepherd Services and school teams.
• Perform statistical, narrative, and record keeping duties as required.
• Encourage, embody, and foster a strength-based approach grounded in youth, family, and community development principles.
• Participate in professional development opportunities via the Good Shepherd Services Learning and Development Department.
• Collaborate with key school players on behalf of students: deans, teachers, guidance counselors, safety agents, Assistant Principal, etc.
• Communicate and engage effectively with GSS team members, including, but not limited to: Program Director, Social Worker/Therapist, Internship & Career Coordinator, peers at other YABC sites, peers at other GSS sites.
• Participate in staff/team meetings and DOE meetings as needed.
• Actively engage in weekly supervision meetings with Program Director.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Associate’s degree required, Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Experience working with adolescent/young adults in a school setting helpful.
• Bi-lingual Spanish/English preferred.
• Committed to upholding an inclusive environment in program that fosters a sense of community, belonging and connectedness.
• Must have excellent time management, organizational, verbal and written communication skills.
• Must have a commitment to work from a strength based and/or youth, family and community development perspective.
• Experience working with adolescents and young adults both individually and in groups; ability to provide counseling services, facilitate group sessions, and respond effectively to crisis situations as needed.
• Knowledge in mental health and well-being a plus.