Counselor Leadership Coordinator

Job Description

Job Description

 

Counselor Leadership Coordinator

Updated August 2026

About LEAP

For over 30 years, LEAP has worked with children, teenagers, and young adults in New Haven, Connecticut in some of the lowest income urban neighborhoods in America. As the largest youth agency in our city, we provide academic support, social enrichment, and leadership development, but we do so in a unique way. We give older students (ages 16-24) the training, education, and resources they need to work as counselors to our younger students (ages 7-15). In doing so, we go beyond impacting individual lives through education and employment. We build a community with power and purpose.

All LEAP employees must adhere to LEAP's Core Values and Community Agreements.

Core Values:

• Social Justice - Advocating for fairness and equality while challenging systemic injustices
• Caring - Demonstrating empathy and concern for individual and community well-being
• Ethical Leadership - Leading with integrity, fairness, and moral courage
• Accountability - Taking responsibility for actions, outcomes, and commitments
• Collaboration - Fostering partnerships to achieve common goals and maximize impact

Community Agreements:

• Growth Mindset - Embracing challenges as learning opportunities
• Recognition & Appreciation - Expressing gratitude and celebrating achievements
• Conflict De-escalation - Resolving conflicts through open dialogue and cooperation
• Mutual Respect - Honoring diverse opinions, experiences, and boundaries
• Continuous Learning - Promoting ongoing personal and professional development

Position Summary

The Counselor Leadership Coordinator manages LEAP's year-round effort to recruit, hire, onboard, and retain the high school and college students who make up LEAP's youth staff. LEAP employs nearly 300 young people each year as Junior Counselors (ages 16-18) and Senior Counselors (ages 18-24), making it the largest employer of youth in New Haven. The Coordinator maintains the systems and records behind that pipeline and provides academic advising and professional development support to youth staff on a regular basis.

This is a full-time, exempt (salaried) position based in New Haven, CT. The role is in-person and not eligible for hybrid work. It requires frequent interaction with teenagers and young adults, with New Haven Public Schools and area colleges, and with community organizations that serve as recruitment partners. The ideal candidate can identify gaps in young people’s knowledge and build the training and materials needed to close them. The position provides ample opportunities for professional development, including training, conference attendance, networking, and on-the-job learning experiences.

Reports to: Counselor Leadership Manager

Essential Duties

Recruitment and Hiring

• Recruit, hire, and retain LEAP’s youth staff, including Junior Counselors (high school students) and Senior Counselors (college students)
• Work closely with the Programs Team to set the criteria and goals for hiring and supporting youth staff each season
• Develop a comprehensive annual recruitment schedule and the marketing materials to support it
• Plan and attend recruitment events at local high schools, colleges, and community organizations
• Supervise counselors and interns conducting on-campus recruitment
• Maintain online applications for youth staff positions and collect application materials securely
• Organize youth staff interviews with the Counselor Leadership Manager and set standards for how interviews are conducted and evaluated

Onboarding and Data Management

• Work with the Finance Office to onboard new youth staff into the payroll system efficiently
• Maintain accurate demographic, contact, and academic information on all LEAP youth staff for analysis and reporting
• Track retention and advancement through the counselor pipeline, from Leaders in Training through Senior Counselor

Youth Staff Development and Support

• Meet with individual youth staff members about their academic progress in order to identify additional supports they may need
• Develop or source professional development workshops, career-specific programming, and professional mentor relationships for youth staff
• Communicate with youth staff about professional and personal development opportunities outside of LEAP
• Support the Programs Team and managers in mediating issues with youth and identifying appropriate resources
• Support the Counselor Leadership Manager in delivering post-secondary programming (college and career preparation) and training on civic leadership, social justice, and identity development

Team Collaboration

• Work as part of a team with other members of the Counselor Leadership staff to develop recruitment and support strategies and assist in each other’s work
• Participate in trainings and professional development as required by LEAP

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Professional or extracurricular experience working with high school-aged youth
• Exceptional leadership, time management, facilitation, and organizational skills
• Working knowledge of best practices within the youth development field
• Knowledge of common needs of first-generation and low-income students, students of color, and students from immigrant families
• Cultural competency-based experience working in African American and Latino communities
• Ability to travel to program sites, schools, and college campuses for recruitment and advising

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience as a LEAP counselor, site staff member, or program participant
• Professional or extracurricular experience with peer mentorship, tutoring, and/or academic advising
• Experience with community outreach, marketing, and strategic recruitment
• Knowledge of New Haven communities and the Greater New Haven area
• Bilingual (English/Spanish)

Technical Skills

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and SharePoint
• Experience with Salesforce preferred
• Experience with applicant tracking and payroll systems preferred
• Experience and comfort effectively and accurately using AI tools to assist with recruitment, communication, and analysis
• Ability to organize and maintain digital records and filing systems for collecting and reporting data

Essential Competencies

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Exceptional attention to detail with ability to manage time effectively, prioritize work, and meet deadlines
• Demonstrated tact and discretion in handling confidential employment and academic information
• Ability to work successfully both independently and collaboratively
• Adaptability and flexibility in a dynamic environment
• Commitment to LEAP’s mission and the communities we serve

Special Requirements

• Flexibility to work some evenings and weekends as needed for recruitment events, trainings, and organizational activities

Compensation

Salary: $50,000 to $53,500, commensurate with experience.

Excellent benefits, including health, dental, vision, and life insurance, along with a retirement plan with employer contribution. Generous PTO, holiday leave, and professional development opportunities.

How to Apply

Send a letter of interest and resume through our online application portal: Recruitment Portal.

Additional information about LEAP is available at 

LEAP is an equal opportunity employer.