Program Junior Counselor

Salary

$16.00 - $17.00 Hourly

Location 

West Windsor and Trenton, NJ

Job Type

Seasonal

If you are considering a new job, work environment or career opportunities you should look at Mercer County Community College. MCCC is a publicly supported college that is open to all and dedicated to student success. In order to support that mission Mercer seeks to attract, retain, and support a skilled diverse workforce which is our most valuable resource. We thrive on and are proud of our diversity and open access. Our students and employees find the College large enough for a multitude of offerings yet small enough to keep the “Community” feel for all. The College consists of two campuses, the James Kerney Campus (JKC) in the capital city of Trenton, NJ and a larger 292 acre suburban campus just six miles north of Trenton. As part of the comprehensive and valuable benefits package the College offers credit course tuition waivers for employees, spouses and dependents. This allows for employees and their families to take advantage of earning a higher education degree without the high cost. The College offers students 69 Degree Program Options and 35 Credit Certificates from which to choose. 

JOB DUTIES

• Engages with and educates participants in the benefits of postsecondary education and academic success. 
• Provides academic counseling to students in grades 7-12. 
• Attends all scheduled programing for the grade level assigned. 
• Assists students in the program with academic assignments. 
• Assists teachers with facilitating lessons. 
• Takes attendance and maintains sign-in sheets 
• Creates and facilitates learning strategies, college and career preparation and  social/emotional workshops related to college readiness (such as leadership skills, conflict resolution, test prep and study strategies, self-awareness) 
• Participates in all assigned programming, including college tours and educational field trips 
• Performs other duties, as assigned.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. This list of tasks is illustrative ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class. It does not imply that all positions within the class perform all of the duties listed, nor does it necessarily list all possible duties that may be assigned. 

• Engages with and educates participants in the benefits of postsecondary education and academic success 
• Provides mentorship to students in grades 7-12 
• Attends all scheduled programing for the grade level assigned 
• Assists students in the program with academic assignments 
• Assists teachers with facilitating lessons 
• Takes attendance and maintains sign-in sheets 
• Creates and facilitates learning strategies, college and career preparation and social/emotional workshops related to college readiness (such as leadership skills, conflict resolution, test prep and study strategies, self-awareness) 
• Participates in all assigned programming, including college tours and educational fieldtrips 
• Performs other duties, as assigned 

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Junior Counselors are expected to be present as needed throughout the Academic Year Saturday Sessions and possible College Tours during Fall and/or Spring Break (the schedule will be discussed and provided by the Director)
• Program duration is September – May. 
• Available to work a flexible schedule, may include some nights and weekends 
• Please note that assigned tasks and responsibilities span both campuses for all MCCC positions.

ADA AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Positions in this class typically require ability to use a key board, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions. 

• Currently enrolled college student. 
• One year prior experience that demonstrates an understanding of leadership, college readiness and working with potential first-generation students. 
• Demonstrated cultural competency, sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds of community college students, faculty, and staff and a commitment to a student-centered environment 
• If certain conditions exist, this position requires you to have access to personal technological equipment and capabilities to perform your duties.
• Junior Counselors are required to attend a NJ GEAR UP Statewide training and MCCC orientation 
• If certain conditions exist, this position requires you to have access to personal technological equipment and capabilities to perform your duties.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Currently enrolled college student or recent graduate
• Prior experience that demonstrates an understanding of leadership, college readiness and working with potential first-generation students 
• Available to work a flexible schedule, may include some nights and weekends 
• Ability to travel to multiple educational institutions, utilizing personal vehicle for travel 
• Demonstrated cultural competency, sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds of community college students, faculty, and staff and a commitment to a student-centered environment 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Ability to travel to multiple educational institutions, utilizing personal vehicle for travel. 
• Ability to work well and communicate effectively with prospective and current students, staff, faculty, administration, and colleagues and community partners in large and small settings. 

The successful candidate should demonstrate the following competencies:

Adaptability: Maintaining effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work tasks or the work environment; adjusting effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements, or cultures. 

Building Trust: Interacting with others in a way that gives them confidence in one’s intentions and those of the organization. 

Customer Focus: Making customers and their needs a primary focus of one’s actions; developing and sustaining productive customer relationships. 

Decision Making: Identifying and understanding issues, problems, and opportunities; comparing data from different sources to draw conclusions; using effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions; taking action that is consistent with available facts, constraints, and probable consequences.

Contributing to Team Success:  Actively participating as a member of a team to move the team toward the completion of goals.

Diversity & Inclusion:  Working with situations involving different cultures/languages and responding to the ambiguity of unexpected/unfamiliar approaches.

Communication:  Clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand and retain the message.