Commonpoint
Early Pathways Advisor - Ignite
Queens County, New York•Full-time
$55,000 - $60,000 annually
$55,000 - $60,000 annually
About the Job
ABOUT COMMONPOINT
At Commonpoint, community is at the heart of everything we do. With more than 90 program sites and flagship locations in Little Neck, Bayside, Forest Hills, East Elmhurst, and Jamaica, we proudly serve over 125,000 individuals each year. From early childhood to older adulthood, we support people from all walks of life on their journeys from crisis to stability and empowerment. Our wide range of programs, spanning social services, education, and recreation, reflects our mission to build a more connected, inclusive, and thriving community for all.
ABOUT THE ROLE
To continue advancing the impact we have across the communities we serve, Commonpoint is hiring an Early Pathways Advisor, Ignite, situated within the High School & College Success division. The High School & College Success division plays a vital role in providing college access and postsecondary preparation programming to high school students, helping them explore future pathways, develop the skills needed for academic success, and prepare for life after high school. The individual hired as the Early Pathways Advisor will primarily support 9th- and 10th-grade students at the Academy for Careers in TV & Film through developmentally appropriate college and career readiness programming. This role focuses on early postsecondary exploration, academic goal setting, student engagement, family involvement, and exposure to a range of educational and career pathways. The Advisor will facilitate individual and group advisement, develop and deliver workshops, coordinate college and career exposure opportunities, and collaborate with school personnel and Commonpoint colleagues to support student success. This role reports directly to the Program Coordinator.
ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES
Impact & Data Strategy
● Provide individual and small-group college and career readiness advisement to 9th- and 10th-grade students, emphasizing early postsecondary exploration, academic goal setting, and awareness of high school graduation requirements.
● Help students explore postsecondary pathways, including CUNY, SUNY, private colleges, vocational and trade schools, certificate programs, military pathways, and employment opportunities.
● Design and facilitate engaging, age-appropriate workshops on high school success skills, college and career exploration, postsecondary planning, early financial literacy, college affordability, and goal setting.
● Support students in developing and maintaining postsecondary planning tools, including student portfolios, interest inventories, academic tracking tools, and individualized goals.
● Monitor student engagement and relevant academic indicators to identify potential barriers to success and collaborate with school personnel to connect students with appropriate support.
● Maintain accurate and timely records of student interactions, attendance, advisement notes,
participation, and program outcomes using Google Sheets, Overgrad, or other designated tracking systems.
● Identify gaps in students’ college and career readiness and contribute to the development of targeted workshops, activities, and interventions.
Financial Stewardship
● Use program materials, supplies, and resources responsibly to support effective and cost-conscious programming.
● Support the planning and implementation of workshops, family engagement activities, and college and career exposure opportunities within established program resources.
People & Talent Development
● Participate in regular supervision with the Program Coordinator and engage in ongoing professional development to strengthen college access, youth development, and advisement practices.
● Attend required staff meetings, professional development sessions, retreats, and Commonpoint trainings.
● Apply a strength-based, youth development approach when working with students and families, fostering positive relationships and an inclusive, supportive learning environment.
● Contribute to a collaborative team environment by sharing program updates, student needs, effective practices, and opportunities for improvement.
Partnerships & External Relations
● Build positive, professional relationships with school counselors, teachers, administrators, students, and families to strengthen college and career readiness programming.
● Collaborate with school-based staff to integrate programming into the school environment and align activities with academic and advisory structures.
● Coordinate and support college and career exposure opportunities, including guest speakers, panels, workshops, and career exploration experiences.
● Develop and facilitate family engagement activities that increase awareness of postsecondary pathways, high school expectations, and college readiness milestones.
● Conduct consistent outreach and communication with families to encourage student engagement and program participation.
● Represent Commonpoint professionally when interacting with school partners, community organizations, colleges, and other external stakeholders.
Cross-Department Collaboration & Communication
● Work collaboratively with the High School and College Success team to ensure consistent implementation of Ignite programming and alignment with departmental goals.
● Coordinate with Elevate persistence staff to support continuity of services as students transition from high school to postsecondary education, training, or employment.
● Communicate student needs, engagement concerns, program updates, and emerging opportunities to the Program Coordinator and relevant team members.
● Share feedback on workshop effectiveness, student participation, and program needs to inform ongoing program improvement.
● Support communication among students, families, school personnel, and Commonpoint staff to strengthen student engagement and access to services.
Operations, Safety & Risk Management
● Ensure timely and accurate completion of required program documentation, attendance records, advisement notes, and other reporting requirements.
● Follow Commonpoint policies and procedures, school-site protocols, confidentiality requirements, and applicable participant safety guidelines.
● Travel regularly to assigned school site and support programming at designated Commonpoint locations as needed.
● Support the coordination and implementation of school-based activities, family events, college visits, and other program-related events, including occasional evening or extended-hour programming.
● Participate in required agency-wide programs, staff meetings, training seminars, and program committees as assigned.
● Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.
QUALIFICATIONS & KEY ATTRIBUTES:
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
● Master’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, School Counseling, Education, or a related field.
● At least three years of experience working with adolescents, preferably in an urban school or community-based setting.
● Experience supporting students’ educational success, social-emotional development, and access to resources.
● Strong ability to establish rapport with adolescents and build productive relationships with families from diverse backgrounds.
● Strong written, verbal, organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
● Demonstrated ability to facilitate engaging activities, workshops, or group programming for students.
● Commitment to a strength-based, youth development approach that promotes student growth, engagement, and self-advocacy.
● Familiarity with the educational experiences and barriers faced by immigrant, first-generation, and other historically underserved students.
● Strong ability to work collaboratively with school personnel, colleagues, students, and families.
● Proficiency in Google Workspace and the ability to maintain accurate records using databases, spreadsheets, and other program tracking systems.
● Ability to work evenings as needed and travel to assigned school sites and program-related events, including overnight travel when required.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
● Bilingual in Spanish, with strong verbal and written communication skills.
● Prior college counseling or college access experience.
● Knowledge of college admissions, financial aid, scholarships, and college affordability resources.
● Familiarity with CUNY, SUNY, Common App, vocational and trade programs, certificate programs, and other postsecondary pathways.
● Experience developing and implementing workshops, seminars, and family engagement activities.
● Familiarity with Overgrad or similar student planning and data management platforms.
● Experience working with first-generation college-bound students and families navigating postsecondary systems.
KEY ATTRIBUTES FOR ROLE:
● Student-centered
● Organized and detail-oriented
● Strong communicator
● Collaborative
● Adaptable and resourceful
● Culturally responsive
● Committed to youth development
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:
Commonpoint offers competitive base salaries benchmarked against comparable nonprofit organizations in the New York metropolitan area. Salaries are determined based on internal and external equity, as well as each position’s scope, qualifications, and organizational impact. We believe in compensating staff fairly and consistently, ensuring that all salary decisions align with our mission-driven commitment to equity and transparency.
To maintain fairness across the organization, salary offers are set according to established salary bands and are not subject to negotiation. New hires typically start near the beginning of the salary range to allow for growth based on performance, professional development, and tenure.
Our total rewards package reflects our dedication to employee well-being, growth, and recognition. Current benefits include:
● Tiered health, dental, and vision insurance options.
● Pension plan and 403(b) retirement savings opportunities.
● Generous paid time off and family-supportive policies.
● Professional development and education support to foster career growth.
● Recognition and appreciation programs for exemplary performance.
● Employee discounts on programs and services.
● Access to free amenities, including private seasonal pool clubs and fitness facilities at select locations.
● Long-service severance upon retirement.
WORKING CONDITIONS & JOB DETAILS
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Consider the following:
● Work environment: Primarily based at an assigned high school site, with occasional work at Commonpoint locations and other program-related venues.
● Physical requirements: Regular computer use, typing, and participation in meetings and workshops. May require standing, walking, and moving materials during program activities and events.
● Schedule: Full-time position; occasional evening or extended-hour programming is required based on program and event needs.
● Travel: Regular travel to assigned school site, college visits, community events, and other program locations. Overnight travel may be required.
● Other requirements: Must comply with agency policies, school-site procedures, and applicable safety and confidentiality requirements.
JOB DETAILS
Working schedule: e.g., Mon-Fri, 8am - 4pm; 8:30am - 4:30pm; 9am- 5pm
Non-Union Position
In Person - Academy for Careers in TV & Film
Commonpoint is an equal opportunity employer