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 www.leapforkids.org.

LEAP is an equal opportunity employer.

Learn more about this Employer on their Career Site