BRICK is on a mission to support families from pre-cradle-to-career through holistic support, excellent schools, and clear pathways to college and career. By creating a comprehensive network of services, we are righting the wrongs of racial and economic inequality and paving the way for families to forge futures abundant with opportunity, wellness, and joy
OUR VISION
BRICK envisions a world of racial and economic justice, where every child and family has the support they need to learn, achieve, and work towards a fulfilling life of personal and collective prosperity. To learn more about BRICK, please visit http://www.brickeducation.org
BRICK currently has schools in two regions: Newark, New Jersey, and Buffalo, New York. BRICK Gateway Academy Charter School is our Newark location. As a full K-12 continuum, we start our college-focused academic programming in kindergarten and yield better results for Newark students for generations to come. We are more than a school; we are a full ecosystem of supports from cradle to career. We provide our families with free wraparound services like prenatal care, career services, and housing support. Our high school alumni receive up to six years of post-graduate assistance. BRICK Gateway Academy attracts a diverse staff devoted to nurturing our students’ intellect and identities in order to prepare them to graduate from college and to chart their own course. To learn more about our Newark location, BRICK Gateway Academy, please visit https://www.gatewayacademy.org
Overview
Role: The College and Career Advisor is an integral member of the Office of College, Career, and Student Life. Serving students in grades 9-12, this individual is dedicated to preparing students for successful postsecondary transitions. Reporting to the Director of Student Supports, the advisor manages a caseload of assigned students, provides individualized and group advising, models high-quality advisory practices for staff, advocates for students and families, and supports schoolwide efforts related to college and career readiness, including testing coordination and support where needed. Success in the role will be measured by the percentage of students on the advisor's caseload who successfully meet their college and career readiness goals each year. For graduating seniors, the primary goal is for 100% of students to matriculate into a postsecondary learning institution - including colleges, universities, trade schools, or accredited certificate programs - or secure meaningful employment aligned with their career interests. Essential Functions
College, Career, and Vocational Access Advisement
Provide individual and group advising to students in grades 9-12 regarding college, career, and vocational pathways. - Facilitate the use of interest inventories, aptitude tests, transcript reviews, and student data analysis to guide educational, career, and personal-social development, and coordinate whole-school activities such as college trips to support student exposure and planning. - Support academic planning, goal-setting, and postsecondary readiness for all students. Individual and Group Counseling
Deliver targeted counseling sessions to assist students with educational planning, social-emotional challenges related to academic success, and career exploration. - Provide short-term counseling interventions and referral to specialized in-school support services. - Advocate for students during IEP meetings, 504 meetings, and other student-centered planning sessions. Curriculum Delivery and Student Programming
Facilitate structured lessons, as part of the broader high school curriculum, on academic success, college access, career planning, financial aid, and vocational options, and lead key engagement opportunities such as financial aid nights and parent education sessions. - Develop and implement transition programming such as 8th-to-9th grade orientation, grade-level college and career workshops, financial aid nights, and parent education events. - Supervise all aspects of the postsecondary application processes, including college, trade school, and certificated program applications, FAFSA and financial aid completion, and scholarship applications. Data Tracking and Student Progress Monitoring
Monitor and document student academic progress regularly; implement interventions for students experiencing matriculation challenges, including study skills development, tutoring referrals, and parent collaboration. - Analyze and disaggregate school-wide data related to matriculation and graduation rates, college and vocational program enrollment, and career readiness to inform programming and interventions. - Maintain a graduation tracker for each cohort, ensuring all student schedules and transcripts align with NJ State graduation requirements and postsecondary goals. Family and Community Engagement
Serve as a key resource for families, providing counseling and workshops related to college admissions, vocational training, financial aid, and career pathways. - Build partnerships with colleges, universities, trade schools, and community organizations to create expanded postsecondary opportunities for students. - Dissemination of scholarship information, student application support, and award processing. School-wide and Network Collaboration
Collaborate with teachers, administrators, and school-based teams to address the holistic needs of students and integrate college and career readiness into school culture. - Consult with teachers on strategies to build academic and career connections within the classroom. - Contribute to the creation and management of the school’s main schedule, including resolving scheduling conflicts and balancing class sizes. - Connect college and career counseling efforts to the school’s mission, vision, and strategic goals. - Collaborate with alumni success coaches on activities, not limited to: career day, college access, internship opportunities, etc. Qualifications
● Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in education, counseling, social work, or a related field preferred. ● 2+ years of experience in college advising, counseling, youth development, or education setting. ● Knowledge of college admissions processes, financial aid systems (FAFA, CSS Profile), and career pathways. ● A valid School Counselor certification for New Jersey is recommended
● Previous experience working in urban communities is required
● Strong interpersonal skills with ability to build trusting relationships with students and families. ● Strong problem solving skills. ● Commitment to educational equity and a strengths-based approach to student development. ● Excellent organizational, communication, written, and technology skills (Naviance, Common App, FAFSA platforms, etc.)
