Counselor Leadership Coordinator
Job Location:
New Haven, CT - USA
Yearly Salary:
Posted:
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
Job Summary
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 LEAPs 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 LEAPs year-round effort to recruit hire onboard and retain the high school and college students who make up LEAPs 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 peoples 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 LEAPs 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 others work
- Participate in trainings and professional development as required by LEAP
Required Qualifications
- Bachelors 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 LEAPs 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: $50000 to $53500 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.
Required Experience:
IC
About Company
LEAP trains and employs college and high school students to provide academic and social enrichment and mentoring after school and during the summer for children and teens in New Haven neighborhoods. Kids access swimming, gardening, camping, computer science, dance, music, and so much ... View more
