HEOP Counselor

Founded by the Sisters of Charity of New York, the College of Mount Saint Vincent is an academically excellent, authentically inclusive, Catholic and ecumenical liberal arts college. The College combines a strong core curriculum with a full array of majors in the liberal arts and, within the tradition of liberal education, selected professional fields of study.

At Mount Saint Vincent, a student’s education extends beyond knowledge, skills, and preparation for work. We seek the development of the whole person. In the spirit of Vincent de Paul and Elizabeth Ann Seton, we foster an understanding of our common humanity, a commitment to human dignity, and a full appreciation of our obligations to each other.

Through its School of Professional and Continuing Studies, the College extends its primary undergraduate mission by offering high quality graduate studies in business, education and nursing and an array of undergraduate and certificate programs serving non-traditional students.

Job Description:

The Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) is a partnership between the College of Mount Saint Vincent and the New York State Education Department (NYSED). This program is designed for students who have the potential and drive to further their education, but due to limited academic and financial resources, would not otherwise have the opportunity to attend college. The goal of HEOP is to retain and graduate promising students who will succeed at the college level and beyond.

The HEOP Counselor assists in the provision of individual and group advising to selected HEOP students. They provide programming geared to promoting students’ academic success. They conduct academic skills assessment and coursework evaluation. They provide support, motivation, and guidance in decision-making. This position reports into the Director for HEOP and it is a full-time, exempt, on-site position. The working hours are 8:30am to 4:30pm from Monday through Friday.

Responsibilities:

• Provide academic, personal, financial, crisis, and career advisement leading to the retention and graduation of a caseload of HEOP students as assigned by the Director, as well as maintain accurate case files on each student in the caseload
• Participate in planning, coordinating, and implementing the four-five-week HEOP Summer Program
• Attend weekly staff meetings, one-on-one meetings with HEOP Director, professional development opportunities and serve on College committees as assigned
• Represent HEOP in all appropriate College events
• Participate as a departmental team member while supporting the Oxley Integrated Advising Program
• Assist students with course selection, registration, academic and career-goal planning in collaboration with their faculty and Oxley advisors
• Assist students with financial aid concerns by partnering with the Office of Financial Aid, the Office of Student Accounts, and the Office of the Registrar to ensure students have completed all necessary paperwork and met all institutional and federal deadlines
• Create and facilitate workshops, lead activities in a variety of topics including, but not limited to, academic, social, career, personal, financial, and cultural
• Participate in program assessment activities, and assist in completing state reports related to the processing of HEOP students and/or to the evaluation of program services
• Monitor student progress through ongoing communication with faculty, tutors, staff, and administrators
• Assume other related duties/responsibilities as delegated or assigned by the HEOP Director

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in a social science or counseling field required
• Master’s degree preferred
• A minimum of one-year experience working in a higher educational counseling setting with individuals from diverse backgrounds preferred
• Genuine interest in working with college students as well as the ability to work well with, and relate to, a diverse population of students
• Have an energetic, engaging, and positive personality and character with the ability to encourage students to seek guidance and participate in the program
• Excellent communication skills, organizational skills, and attention to detail
• Excellent computer skills and ability to learn new programs
• Demonstrated project management, and time management skills, with the ability to manage details of multiple projects
• Demonstrated ability to adhere to the highest standards of professionalism
• Demonstrated ability to engage in active listening, be a team player, and reinforce boundaries with students
• Full availability from June through August in preparation for and during the HEOP Summer Program
• knowledge of Banner, Argos, Canvas, and EAB
• Ability to use Google Suite and Microsoft Office

Abilities:

• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends in support of programs and activities, conferences, and trainings
• Ability to sit at a desk and/or look at screens for extended periods of time
• Ability to occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds.

Benefits

The allotted salary for this position is $62,000. The position is grant funded and continuation is contingent upon grant funding availability.

• 20 Vacation Days, 12 sick days
• Medical, dental, vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Enhanced Short Term Disability Insurance
• 100% employer sponsored Long Term Disability
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• Commuter Benefits
• Contribution in a 403(b) Retirement Plan
• Employee Assistance Program