Job Description
Here's what you need to know:
At KIPP New Jersey, we prepare students to change the world. For most of our students, a Bachelor’s degree is a key stepping stone toward personal and professional success. We also recognize that college is not the only path—and we are deeply committed to supporting all students in pursuing the post-secondary journey that aligns with their passions, purpose, and goals.
Our comprehensive approach to college and career readiness includes a sharp focus on GPA and ACT performance, experiential learning (such as summer programs and dual enrollment), outstanding counseling, and strong family engagement. We believe in early and continuous career exposure so that students graduate with clarity and confidence in their next steps—whether college or a progressive career pathway.
About the Role
The Counseling Fellow position is a two-year, full-time opportunity designed to launch a career in counseling. With robust professional development and hands-on experience, Fellows manage a caseload of no more than 50 seniors, guiding them through the postsecondary application and matriculation process.
No prior counseling experience is required. Please note this is a two-year fellowship without a guaranteed full-time counseling role at the conclusion.
Here's what you'll be doing:
Key Outcomes
- College & Career matriculation: Ensure students matriculate into high-quality, best-fit postsecondary programs aligned with their long-term goals.
- Early Applications : Support strong academic students in submitting competitive early applications to selective colleges.
- Avoiding Undermatch : Guide students toward institutions with high graduation rates to increase degree completion.
- Financial Aid : Ensure all students complete financial aid applications and secure the resources necessary for enrollment.
- Preventing College & Career melt: Provide the tools and support students need to navigate enrollment barriers after high school graduation.
- Strong relationships : Build and maintain strong, trust-based relationships with students and families.
Postsecondary Match Support
- Support seniors in completing and submitting high-quality applications to colleges or career programs, using balanced wishlists developed in 11th grade.
- Engage regularly with families to ensure alignment and support throughout the application and decision-making process.
- Provide guidance on financial aid applications, scholarships, and special programs (e.g., EOF).
- Write Letters of Recommendation and support teachers in writing strong letters.
- Give actionable feedback on personal statements and essays to meet the KIPP: Forward quality bar.
- Lead College & Career Decision Meetings with students and families to finalize postsecondary plans.
- Support pre-enrollment tasks such as tuition deposits, loan counseling, and transition benchmarks.
- Assist 11th graders in exploring financial aid, personal statement writing, and CTE or college program research.
Student & Family Programming
- Facilitate exposure to college and career options through fly-in programs, open houses, and campus tours.
- Support and participate in KIPP Forward events such as College & Career Fairs, Instant Decision Days, SAT days, and family workshops.
- Lead and attend family programming on financial aid, high school success, and postsecondary planning.
Data Management & Analysis
- Maintain accurate records of student meetings, qualitative notes, and quantitative data.
- Analyze academic and counseling data to inform student support plans.
- Track and compare financial aid awards to support families in decision-making.
- Regularly report on student progress to your Associate Director and key stakeholders.
School Support
- Be an active member of the school community fulfilling roles and duties as assigned for the school or assigned grade level (Arrival duty, lunch duty, dismissal duty, hallway duty)
- Push into 11th and 12th grade College & Career Readiness classes regularly
- Participate in team meetings and school-based initiatives as assigned.
Skills
- Proficient in Microsoft Office and Google Suite, specifically Excel
- Strong written and oral communication skills
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Strong organization skills and meticulous attention to detail
- Superb customer service skills and love and support for families and children
- Strong critical thinking and problem solving skills
Abilities
- Commitment to do whatever it takes to ensure our teachers and students have what they need to be successful
- Ability to build strong relationships with students and families
- Ability to proactively problem solve; anticipate challenges before they occur
- Ability to develop and manage multiple projects simultaneously and comfortably with ambiguity
- Ability to troubleshoot and manage high stress situations with a calm and positive demeanor
- Ability to work evenings and weekends
- Student Focus: Belief that all students, regardless of background, have the ability to go to and through college; demonstrated commitment to the school’s unique community
- Cultural Competence: Demonstrated ability to create inclusive environments that honors and supports a diversity of backgrounds and perspectives