Director of College Counseling (DCC)

Location: Buffalo Public Schools Partner Site (School assignment determined through the interview process)
Reports To: Associate Director of College Access Services
Position Type: Full-Time, School-Based

At Student Leadership Network, we believe in the potential of all students and are cultivating a generation of young people empowered to lead. We work with every student, developing their abilities to achieve their educational ambitions. Our 30-year track record demonstrates higher college enrollment and graduation rates that significantly surpass national benchmarks.

We are advancing educational access for all by expanding access to higher education in under-resourced public schools nationwide. Our Young Women’s Leadership model elevates practices in girls'+ schools that lead to success and change the face of leadership. Our co-ed CollegeBound Initiative develops college-going school cultures — creating high expectations and viable pathways for post-secondary success. To learn more, visit our website at www.studentleadershipnetwork.org.

Position Overview

Student Leadership Network is seeking a dynamic, student-centered Director of College Counseling (DCC) to join our Buffalo team. The DCC plays a critical role in fostering a strong college and career-going culture within a Buffalo Public School by providing comprehensive college access, career readiness, and postsecondary planning services to students and families.

The DCC serves as a leader within the school community, collaborating with administrators, counselors, teachers, families, and community partners to ensure students have the knowledge, resources, and support necessary to successfully pursue their postsecondary goals.

The Director of College Counseling reports directly to the Associate Director of College Access Services.

Primary Roles and Responsibilities

College & Career Counseling and Program Implementation

• Provide individualized college and career counseling to students and families.
• Manage the college application, admissions, and financial aid process for all graduating seniors, ensuring students meet critical deadlines and maximize postsecondary opportunities.
• Support students with Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), NY State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), Say Yes Buffalo and other scholarship applications, college essays, and postsecondary planning.
• Build and maintain relationships with college admissions professionals to increase school visibility and create recruitment opportunities for students.
• Execute Student Leadership Network’s standard program components with fidelity, but not limited to:
  • Classroom presentations
  • Student workshops
  • Parent and family engagement events
  • College fairs
  • College campus visits and tours
  • Career exploration activities
• Supervise and support the College Transition Coach throughout the academic year and assist with summer CollegeBridge programming.
• Facilitate college transition and persistence programming that prepares students for success beyond high school.
• Recruit and support student participation in partner college programs and enrichment opportunities.
• Plan and implement educational activities, including:
  • Senior post-secondary planning events
  • College and career readiness workshops
  • Summer bridge programs
• Support school tours, stakeholder visits, donor engagements, and presentations showcasing program outcomes and impact.

School Development, Capacity Building, and Partnerships

• Collaborate with school leadership, counselors, teachers, and staff to build and sustain a college and career-going culture.
• Support early college and career awareness programming across all grade levels through a distributed counseling model.
• Partner with faculty to integrate college and career readiness concepts into school programming and curriculum.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with community organizations, colleges, universities, and workforce partners.
• Engage parents and families through workshops, meetings, and outreach efforts related to college planning and financial aid.
• Serve as a visible, trusted, and accessible resource for students, families, and school stakeholders.

Data Management and Analysis

• Maintain accurate and timely student records and program data within Student Leadership Network databases and reporting systems.
• Monitor student progress toward college and career readiness benchmarks.
• Analyze data to identify trends, assess program effectiveness, and inform strategic planning.
• Generate reports and provide updates to school leadership and Student Leadership Network management.
• Ensure compliance with organizational, grant, and reporting requirements.
• Other duties as assigned;

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree in Education, School Counseling, Youth Services, Social Work, or a related field.
• Minimum of three years of experience in college access, secondary education, college counseling, youth development, or an educational nonprofit setting.
• Demonstrated experience supporting students through the college admissions and financial aid process.
• Strong organizational, project management, and strategic planning skills.
• Experience collecting, managing, and analyzing data to inform decision-making.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong proficiency with Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, and student information and data management systems.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with school administrators, faculty, staff, families, and external partners.
• Willingness to travel locally and host occasional evening and weekend events.
• Experience working in Buffalo Public Schools or similar urban school districts.
• Experience working with students from historically underserved, low-income, first-generation, refugee/newcomer, and underrepresented communities.
• Experience with FAFSA, NYS TAP, scholarship advising, college essay development, and college application systems.
• Experience facilitating workshops related to postsecondary planning, career exploration, and financial literacy.
• Familiarity with SUNY, CUNY, community college, workforce development, and four-year college pathways.
• Experience with relationship-based student outreach and engagement strategies.

Impact

The Director of College Counseling helps ensure that every student has access to meaningful postsecondary opportunities and the support needed to achieve their goals. Through direct counseling, strategic partnerships, data-informed practice, and schoolwide leadership, the DCC catalyzes college, career, and life success for Buffalo students.

Compensation

Salary Range: $59,822 to $71,787 annually, commensurate with experience, qualifications, and demonstrated skills.

Benefits

Student Leadership Network offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package, including:

Health & Wellness

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Health Reimbursement Account (up to $14,000 annually for families)
• Flexible Spending Accounts for Medical, Dependent Care, and Transit/Parking Expenses
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employer-Paid Life Insurance

Retirement

• 401(k) Retirement Plan with a 4% Employer Match

Paid Leave & Time Off

• 17 vacation days annually during the first three years of employment
• 11 Federal Holidays
• 2 Floating Holidays
• 10 Wellness (Sick) Days per Year plus Safe Leave
• 20 Hours of Prenatal Leave
• Generous Paid Family Leave (minimum of 12 weeks based on tenure)
• Annual Wellness Week between Christmas and New Year's
• Summer Friday Early Dismissals

Equal Opportunity Employer

Student Leadership Network is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to cultivating a respectful, inclusive, and equitable workplace where diverse talents, perspectives, skill sets, and lived experiences are valued as essential to advancing our mission and supporting student success.