Transition Success Counselor, Guardians Scholars Program

at  California State University

Job no: 536188
Work type: Staff
Location: San José
Categories: Unit 4 - APC - Academic Professionals of California, Probationary, Full Time, Student Services, On-site (work in-person at business location)

JOB SUMMARY

Under the general supervision of the Director of the Guardian Scholars Program, the Transition Success Counselor is responsible for providing non-clinical, academic and personal guidance to students who identify as current or former foster youth, wards of the court, youth under legal guardianship and unaccompanied homeless youth as determined by the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships. The incumbent will: conduct one-on-one and group meetings; submit referrals to campus and community resources based on student needs by working with county representatives; and provide workshops for the Guardian Scholar student population. The Transition Success Counselor will work collaboratively with internal and external partners and stakeholders to create opportunities that support the retention, persistence and overall success of Guardian Scholars students. Additionally, the Transition Success Counselor will also act as a liaison between the Guardian Scholars Program and government organizations and remain informed of all legislation impacting foster youth at the child welfare level.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Thorough knowledge of and skill in working with historically underserved student communities.
• Knowledge of multicultural and identity development and frameworks for related diversity training.
• Knowledge of local and national community organizations that support current and former Foster Youth and unhoused student population (i.e. John Burton, McKinney Vento Liaisons, Pivotal, The Hub, etc).
• Ability to effectively establish and maintain cooperative working relationships within a diverse multicultural environment.
• Knowledge of assessment techniques and ability to develop cohesive reports.
• Ability to prepare various documents including operations manuals and procedures, program and activity schedules, proposals, and monitor budgets.
• Ability to conceptualize program functions and procedures and implement those relevant to improving program efficiency.
• Apply judgment, discretion, and maintain confidentiality in performing complex tasks.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to advise potential students, parents, and high school and community college staff individually and in group settings.
• Ability to apply high-level analytical skills to take effective action while independently carrying out assigned responsibilities.
• Ability to promote, organize and facilitate group meetings.
• Excellent customer service and public relations skills.
• Ability to effectively prioritize multiple work priorities and organize various projects and to follow safety and confidentiality protocols.
• Ability to work some evenings and weekends
• Ability to communicate with constituents in a professional and respectful manner

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university in a related field, including or supplemented by upper division or graduate coursework in counseling techniques, interviewing, and conflict resolution where such are job-related.
• Three years of progressively responsible professional student services work experience. A master’s degree in Counseling, Clinical Psychology, Social Work, or a directly related field may be substituted for one year of experience. A doctorate degree and the appropriate internship or clinical training in counseling or guidance may be substituted for the three years of experience for positions with a major responsibility for professional career or personal counseling.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s Degree in Social Work, Human Services, Psychology, or other related field
• Two or more years of professional experience in higher education or student affairs.
• Experience working with students who have experienced foster care, out-of-home placement, and/or homelessness, and are first-generation. Ability to cultivate a sense of belonging amongst students; advise students and connect them with relevant resources.
• Ability to be inclusive of a diverse student population, faculty, staff, and the public; and ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with a variety of individuals.
• Working knowledge of the Maxient database system, Canvas, Oracle/PeopleSoft, CSU Common Management System or equivalent student information system; and Google Workspace and calendaring programs.
• Experience with (i.e. PeopleSoft, FileMaker Pro, Excel Spreadsheet) or comparable databases.

• Provide holistic life skills coaching to support Guardian Scholars students’ personal and social development as they transition to and through their university journey.
• Conduct assessments, crisis management, goal setting, and transition plan meetings for assigned students and support them in identifying individualized goals.
• Monitor the progress of Guardian Scholars students in the caseload with check-ins, scheduled meetings, or proactive outreach and communication, responding to students’ questions, concerns, and needs.
• Maintain records and summary reports of student interactions including documenting student challenges, referrals provided to the student, and any necessary or required follow-up.
• Serve as GSP liaison and provide support, advocacy, intervention, and referrals to students as it relates to Academic Advising, Faculty concerns, and connecting with other support services/programs/centers on campus.
• Manage Early Support alerts related to basic needs support for students in GSP - provide timely phone, email, and in-person outreach.
• Assist in the development, implementation, and assessment of Trauma Informed programming to assist former foster youth and unhoused students in their transition from high school and community college.
• Work closely with foster youth programs, foster youth consortiums, the Chancellor’s Office, local school districts, and community agencies and participates in foster youth advocacy and advisory councils.
• Attend conferences/meetings and maintain a working knowledge of developments/legislation on issues addressing current and former foster youth, access and equity programs, and academic advising.
• Remain informed of all legislation impacting foster youth at the child welfare level and inform other Guardian Scholars personnel of new policies and procedures relating to foster youth at the child welfare level that may have an impact on current and prospective Foster Youth Guardian Scholars participants.
• Assist graduating Guardian Scholars with their post-graduation plan for housing, employment, internships and graduate school.
• Assist students in searching for graduate opportunities and with the completion of graduate school applications including gathering necessary documents, financial resources for application fees, connecting students to liaisons who serve former foster youth and unhoused students.
• Support the Guardian Scholars Director and Program Coordinator with recruitment, hiring, training, directing, supervision, and evaluation of student employees and interns.