What are the responsibilities and job description for the Academic Career Counselor position at YMCA of the USA?
Empower teens to achieve academic, career, and personal success through mentoring, counseling, and youth development.
Job Description
The Academic Career Counselor supports youth ages 14–21 through individualized academic and career counseling, group workshops, and youth development programming within the YMCA of Yonkers' Teen Center. This position helps participants prepare for college, vocational training, and employment while promoting long-term success through mentoring, engagement, and structured support.
Working collaboratively with Teen Center staff, the Academic Career Counselor also integrates sports and recreational activities to strengthen relationships, build life skills, and create a positive, inclusive environment where young people can thrive.
Qualifications
Job Description
The Academic Career Counselor supports youth ages 14–21 through individualized academic and career counseling, group workshops, and youth development programming within the YMCA of Yonkers' Teen Center. This position helps participants prepare for college, vocational training, and employment while promoting long-term success through mentoring, engagement, and structured support.
Working collaboratively with Teen Center staff, the Academic Career Counselor also integrates sports and recreational activities to strengthen relationships, build life skills, and create a positive, inclusive environment where young people can thrive.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Education, Counseling, Human Services, or a related field preferred.
- Minimum of two years of experience working with youth ages 14–21.
- Experience in college access, career readiness, workforce development, or youth programming preferred.
- Experience facilitating workshops, group activities, or youth development programs.
- Interest or experience in sports, recreation, or youth engagement activities preferred.
- Strong interpersonal, communication, organizational, and documentation skills.
- Ability to build positive relationships with youth and families.
- Bilingual English/Spanish strongly preferred.
- Provide individualized academic and career counseling to youth participants.
- Facilitate workshops on career readiness, résumé writing, interview preparation, financial literacy, FAFSA, and college applications.
- Support participants in developing academic, career, and postsecondary plans.
- Monitor participant progress and maintain accurate case notes and program documentation.
- Provide ongoing support to youth transitioning into college, vocational training, or employment.
- Lead Youth Advisory Council activities and encourage youth leadership.
- Plan and facilitate engaging youth development workshops and activities.
- Coordinate structured sports and recreational programming to promote teamwork, leadership, and positive peer relationships.
- Maintain attendance, participation, and outcome data in compliance with program requirements.
- Collaborate with Teen Center staff to ensure high-quality program delivery and participant engagement.
- Communication
- Relationship Building
- Developing Self & Others
- Inclusion
- Program/Project Management
- Emotional Maturity
- Functional Expertise
- CPR/AED Certification within 30 days of hire.
- First Aid Certification within 30 days of hire.
- Any additional YMCA-required training upon hire.