Post-Secondary Pathways Lead Counselor

Position: Post-Secondary Pathways Lead CounselorCategory: Full-time, exemptReports to: Deputy DirectorTo Apply: Send cover letter and resume to Admin@futuresignite.orgAbout Futures IgniteFutures Ignite partners with schools to spark and propel bold college and career futures for every student.We work at the intersection of college access, career exploration, and youth leadership, ensuring that allstudents, particularly those from historically underserved communities, graduate with a clear, supported,and best-fit postsecondary plan. Our model is school-based, equity-driven, and deeply relational,embedding programming, advising, and real-world experiences directly into the high school journey.Across our partner schools, students engage in a continuum of support from 9th through 12thgrade that includes academic preparation, college and career advising, hands-on career exposure,leadership development, and postsecondary transition support.About the RoleFutures Ignite is seeking a dynamic, highly organized, relationship-driven professional to serve as thePost-Secondary Pathways Lead Counselor at WHEELS. The Lead Counselor will serve as FuturesIgnite’s on-site lead for Postsecondary Pathways programming and will work in close partnership withWHEELS’ DOE postsecondary counselor, and the broader school counseling and administrative team.WHEELS and Futures Ignite have a longstanding partnership and a shared commitment to ensuring thatevery student graduates with a strong, best-fit postsecondary plan. This position is designed to strengthenthat collaborative model. Rather than operating as a separate college access program, the Lead Counselorwill work alongside WHEELS staff to coordinate student advising, divide and manage caseloads, identifystudents needing additional support, align programming, engage families, and ensure students receiveconsistent and comprehensive postsecondary guidance. This is a highly student-facing, collaborative,in-person position requiring daily presence at WHEELS.Key ResponsibilitiesCollege & Postsecondary Pathway Counseling – 40%Manage an assigned caseload of students in coordination with the WHEELS DOE postsecondary counselor and school counseling team.Provide individualized postsecondary advising to students, including: ○ Building balanced and best-fit college lists ○ Reviewing personal statements and supplemental essays ○ Completing CUNY, SUNY, private college, and other postsecondary applications ○ FAFSA and financial aid completion ○ Scholarship and opportunity program applications ○ Comparing financial aid packages and making enrollment decisions ○ Exploring workforce, credential, and other non-college pathways when appropriateProvide multiple individualized advising touchpoints throughout the year, with additional support for students requiring more intensive intervention.Support opportunity program matching and applications, including HEOP, SEEK, EOP, QuestBridge, Posse, and other programs.Coordinate matriculation and transition support for graduating seniors to reduce summer melt and ensure successful enrollment.Support younger students in developing postsecondary awareness and readiness through FI’s 9th–12th grade Postsecondary Pathways curriculum.School Partnership & Collaborative Leadership – 30%Serve as Futures Ignite’s primary on-site Postsecondary Pathways representative at WHEELS.Work closely and consistently with the WHEELS DOE postsecondary counselor to create a unified postsecondary strategy for students.Establish clear systems with the DOE postsecondary counselor for caseload distribution, student referrals, application tracking, follow-up, and intervention.Participate in regular planning and student review meetings with WHEELS counseling staff and administration.Coordinate with teachers, counselors, school leadership, and FI staff to identify students who need additional academic, financial aid, application, or transition support.Ensure FI programming complements and strengthens the college and career work already happening at WHEELS rather than duplicating services.Build strong relationships with students and maintain a visible, accessible presence throughout the school community.Partner with families to help them understand and navigate the college application, financial aid, and enrollment process.Collaborate with FI leadership on program implementation, priorities, and continuous improvement.Postsecondary Programming & Events – 15%In partnership with the WHEELS postsecondary counseling team and FI staff, plan and execute keypostsecondary experiences, including:College Application DaysFAFSA and Financial Aid WorkshopsFamily Postsecondary NightsCollege visits and campus tripsCollege MarchDecision DayScholarship and opportunity-program workshopsBridge Day and Summer InstituteSenior transition and matriculation activitiesThe Lead Counselor will also help identify opportunities to deepen relationships with colleges anduniversities and create stronger pathways for WHEELS students.Data, Evaluation & Student Progress – 10%Maintain accurate and timely student-level postsecondary data.Track key indicators including applications, FAFSA completion, opportunity program applications, acceptances, financial aid, enrollment decisions, and matriculation.Work with the WHEELS DOE postsecondary counselor and FI leadership to maintain a shared understanding of student progress and identify students requiring intervention.Maintain an up-to-date site-level Postsecondary Pathways dashboard.Use data to prioritize outreach, adjust programming, and ensure students do not fall through the cracks.Provide regular progress updates to FI leadership and collaborate with school partners around trends, gaps, and next steps.External Relations & Collaboration – 5%Build relationships with college admissions representatives, opportunity program staff, scholarship organizations, and workforce/pro-pathway partners.Coordinate opportunities for college representatives and external partners to engage directly with WHEELS students.Represent Futures Ignite, as appropriate, at college access and postsecondary convenings. Skills & Qualifications● Bachelor’s degree required, or equivalent combination of education, training, and relevantexperience.● At least 3 years of experience supporting young people with college access, career pathways,youth development, counseling, or related work.● Strong understanding of the college application and financial aid process.● Strong relationship-building skills and demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within aschool environment.● Ability to work effectively alongside DOE counselors, administrators, teachers, nonprofitcolleagues, students, and families.● Highly organized and able to manage a student caseload while balancing programming, events,data, and school partnership responsibilities.● Strong written and verbal communication skills.● Comfortable facilitating workshops, meetings, and student/family programming.● Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills with the ability to use student data to inform action.● Self-directed and able to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.● Demonstrated commitment to equity and expanding postsecondary opportunities for historicallyunderserved students.● Spanish fluency is preferred.We are particularly interested in candidates who have experience:● Providing direct college and postsecondary advising to high school students.● Working within or in close partnership with NYC public schools.● Collaborating with school counselors and administrators rather than operating programmingindependently.● Supporting FAFSA, financial aid, scholarship, and opportunity-program applications.● Using student-level data to manage caseloads and identify students requiring additionalintervention.● Organizing college trips, application events, family workshops, and other student-facingprogramming.Benefits and CompensationSalary Range: $70,000–$75,000● Health insurance, including medical, dental, and vision● Generous PTO, sick, and bonus days● School-Year Schedule Alignment: This role primarily follows the NYC DOE school calendar.When DOE schools are closed, staff are generally remote.How to ApplyPlease submit the following materials to admin@futuresignite.org by September 25th. In the subject line,please add: “Post-Secondary Pathways Lead Counselor, Full Name”ResumeIn your cover letter, please explain your interest in the role and your qualifications for the role.