Student Counselor II

Company: Rutgers University
Location: Newark
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

Posting Summary Rutgers University–Newark (RU-N), an urban public research university and anchor institution located in Newark, New Jersey—a city of promise—is seeking a NJ- STEP Completion Counselor (Student Counselor II) to support the success of NJ- STEP students statewide. Reporting to the NJ- STEP Assistant Dean of Community Relations, the Completion Counselor will provide ongoing tracking, advising, and support to released and matriculating NJ- STEP students. This role requires frequent travel across New Jersey to correctional facilities, halfway houses, community colleges, and Rutgers campuses. The Counselor will serve as a key liaison between students, community colleges, partner 4-year institutions, and Department of Corrections/halfway house staff. This position is responsible for and not limited to the following: Serve as the community college support representative for NJ- STEP and track potential Rutgers Mountainview applicants. Initiate contact and cultivate relationships with community college personnel, partnered institutions, and DOC /halfway house staff. Develop partnerships and processes that support NJ- STEP students in completing college degrees post-release. Facilitate pre-release visits to link students with financial aid and reentry support services. Assess student needs during pre-release and develop programmatic responses for post-release success. Provide or coordinate guidance in personal motivation, academic progress, career development, financial literacy, and study skills using recognized best practices. Coordinate workshops, internship opportunities, and career pathways for NJ- STEP students. Manage clerical tasks, program communications, and supervise program interns or field placements as needed. Attend community program meetings and events representing NJ- STEP . Track service delivery and generate reports; provide program updates and communicate student concerns to the Assistant Dean of Community Relations. Occasionally travels to the Newark Campus This position is contingent upon continuation of grant funding Overview The New Jersey Scholarship and Transformative Education (NJ- STEP ) Consortium is an association of higher educational institutions that work in partnership with the NJ Department of Corrections and the State Parole to provide comprehensive college degree programming for students while incarcerated and to assist in their transition to college life and further degree work upon release. Under the office of the Chancellor, NJ- STEP serves a statewide population of people enrolled in college while in prison, on parole, and post-incarceration. NJ- STEP operates at each Rutgers campus, in 5 separate prisons, and a variety of residential reentry programs and partner college campuses across the state. For further information, please visit http://njstep.newark.rutgers.edu/ . Preferred Qualifications Preference may be given to candidates whose background is similar to the target population, or individuals with other experience or direct knowledge of incarceration and reentry processes. Experience with opportunity programs, New Jersey State Department of Corrections, prisons, incarcerated populations or reentry populations preferred.

Keywords: Rutgers University, Elizabeth , Student Counselor II, Education / Teaching , Newark, New Jersey