Alumni Success Counselor

BELA Charter School

Brooklyn Emerging Leaders Academy Charter School (BELA) is a STEAM focused all-girls high school located in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, focused on SISTERHOOD, SCHOLARSHIP, STRENGTH and SERVICE. Here, we are deeply committed to 100% of our students completing college. Founded on the belief that academic and life preparation are equally important, here each BELA young woman will embark on her own personal and intellectual journey. Students will empower and uplift one another, while respectfully questioning norms to develop their own identities within their rich cultures and communities. This unique learning environment is designed for educators who are intrigued and motivated by the potential that exists within each of our Bedford Stuyvesant young women, and someone who thrives in a startup atmosphere where outcomes are clearly defined, but creativity and risk are foundational to our school community.

About the role

The Alumni Success Counselor (ASC) will design and execute the vision of the Alumni Success program, which works to ensure that BELA graduates will earn postsecondary credentials and thrive in their postsecondary lives. This position is the main touchpoint and support for BELA's (soon to be) three graduating classes, guiding them through every stage of their postsecondary lives. The ASC shares all learnings from our alumni back to the BELA community so we can improve our preparation for current and future students. This position closely collaborates with and reports directly to the Dean of Postsecondary Success. 

The position is a full-time position for the 2022-2023 school year. The start date is early June. 

Teachers and Staff members at BELA will:

• Create inspiring, challenging, and effective teaching learning experiences for all of our students
• Collaborate with fellow teachers, students and school leadership to build the school from the ground up
• Share in the leadership of the school by taking on essential roles in addition to teaching
• Be committed to serving all students, including Students with Disabilities and English Language Learners, in the context of the regular education classroom using a variety of inclusion models
• Become part of a strong and supportive professional learning community committed to restorative practices
• Enjoy and thrive in the lively and diverse world of urban adolescent young women while striving to create a model of public education that serves them well.
• Design, facilitate and participate in experiences and conversations that relate to race, gender, class, and sexual identity in ways that empower students and foster community

Key Responsibilities:

• Support BELA alum in persisting and succeeding in their postsecondary lives
  • Counsel them through all aspects of their postsecondary experiences, including but not limited to: course registration, financial aid renewal, major selection, job interviews, summer opportunities, budgeting and financial decision making 
  • Help students in developing self advocacy skills that they utilize throughout their postsecondary experiences 
  • Support students through career exploration and planning 
• Maintain ongoing relationships with each BELA alum, fostered through multiple means of communication 
• Maintain detailed casenotes and tracking of alumni interactions, enrollments, and persistence 
• Create and manage content that connects BELA alumni to opportunities, each other, and the BELA community 
• Lead and coordinate BELA's Alumni Association, including annual events 
• Develop and facilitate spring postsecondary readiness course to BELA seniors 

• Other projects and duties as assigned

• An unwavering commitment to the success of all young people, particularly Black and Brown young women 
• A strong belief in BELA's mission
• A deep understanding of the postsecondary access and success process, including but not limited to:
  • Non-college postsecondary options
  • Financial aid and the process to maintain aid throughout college 
  • Transferring postsecondary institutions
• A dedication to utilizing data to inform all decisions

• Develop and maintain relationships with student families
• Complete professional development hours as requested by all BELA staff members

Qualifications

• Experience developing trusting relationships with students, and coaching them toward goals 
• Experience facilitating group work with young people 
• 2 + years experience in the postsecondary access and success field 
• Bachelor's degree

Benefits and Salary

Salary range is between $50,000 and $70,000. In addition, a comprehensive benefits package including: extended holiday breaks, weekly professional development, daily catered lunch, ample planning time, Apple MacBook Air, and an innovative collaborative culture.

This is a twelve-month position. The majority of the time will be spent in person at BELA (8:30am to 5:00pm). There will be at least one remote day a week where hours will be 12:00pm to 8:00pm to balance alumni availability. 

Anti-Discrimination Policy and Commitment to Diversity

BELA seeks individuals of all religious, ethnic and racial backgrounds, sexual and gender identities to apply for this position. We are committed to maximizing the diversity of our organization, as we want to engage all those who can contribute to this effort. This job description reflects BELA’s assignment of essential functions and qualifications of the role. Nothing herein restricts management’s right to assign, reassign, or eliminate duties and responsibilities to this role at any time.