Counselor Associate

Job Description

Location: New York, NY

Category: Staff

Posted On: Wed Apr 1 2026

Job Description

The Counselor Associate supports the operations of Career and Internship Services by coordinating employer engagement, managing career systems and data, and facilitating credit-bearing internship processes. Working collaboratively with counselors, employers, faculty, and students, this role ensures accurate, timely, and compliant delivery of career development services. The position plays a critical role in supporting student success, internship placement, and employer partnerships while maintaining the integrity of departmental systems and workflows.

Essential Functions

Career & Internship Program Support

• Support students throughout the credit-bearing internship process, including eligibility review, application tracking, placement confirmation, and registration support.
• Monitor student progress, ensure timely completion of requirements, and maintain accurate internship records and reporting.
• Ensure internship processes meet institutional, academic, and compliance standards to protect student welfare and mitigate institutional risk.
• Support student success, enrollment, and retention by facilitating timely internship placement and credit registration.

Employer & Sponsor Relations

• Assist with employer outreach, onboarding, and support, including job and internship postings.
• Evaluate internship sponsors to ensure alignment with academic, legal, and safety standards.
• Support development of employer partnerships, recruitment pipelines, and sponsorship opportunities.
• Maintain timely and professional communication with external partners to support engagement and service quality.

Events & Program Coordination

• Coordinate and staff career-related events including job fairs, employer information sessions, recruitment activities, and alumni programming.
• Assist in planning, logistics, and execution of departmental programs and initiatives.
• Develop and distribute materials supporting workshops, orientations, and events.

Systems, Data & Reporting

• Manage and maintain data in systems such as Symplicity and Banner, ensuring accuracy, integrity, and compliance.
• Track internship and career program participation and generate statistical and outcome reports for stakeholders.
• Maintain data workflows, reporting cycles, and records to support audits, assessment, and operational effectiveness.

Technology & Operations Support

• Provide technical training and support to students, employers, faculty, and staff on career platforms and tools.
• Support website content updates and digital platform workflows.
• Troubleshoot system issues and contribute to continuous improvement of technology processes.

Communication & Stakeholder Engagement

• Communicate with students, alumni, employers, and faculty regarding internships, career services, and programming.
• Provide high-quality, student-centered service while maintaining professionalism and responsiveness.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure a seamless experience across CIS services.

Administrative & Operational Support

• Provide general administrative and operational support to the department as needed.
• Assist with scheduling, documentation, and coordination of high-volume workflows impacting student services and employer engagement.
• Support day-to-day operations to ensure accuracy, efficiency, and consistency across departmental functions.

The preceding description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required of the position; other duties may be assigned consistent with the classification of the position.

Job Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Higher Education, Counseling, Business, Human Resources, or related field.
• 1-3 years of relevant experience in career services, higher education, student support, or related field.
• Experience working with databases or student information systems.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in a related field preferred.
• 2-4 years of relevant experience in career services, higher education, student support, or related field preferred.
• Experience with career services platforms (e.g., Symplicity), Banner, or similar systems.
• Experience supporting employer relations, internships, or recruitment programs.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Career development practices, internship processes, and student support services.
• Higher education environments and academic program structures, particularly within creative and business disciplines.
• Office operations, data management, and career technologies.
• Strong organizational and project coordination skills with attention to detail.
• Effective written and verbal communication across diverse audiences.
• Data management, reporting, and systems navigation.
• Customer service, relationship-building, and stakeholder engagement.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines simultaneously.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated student-centered approach and commitment to inclusion and service.
• Ability to analyze information, solve problems, and adapt to changing priorities.
• Ability to quickly learn and utilize new technologies and systems.

Additional Information

Please note all offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of the background check process.

Salary

Salary: $70,522.32 per year; commensurate with experience and qualifications.

The UCE-FIT Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) dictates the compensation, benefits, and conditions of employment. Hiring Salary: $70,522.32 per year with step increments per Salary Schedule 92, after one year of service and annually thereafter.

Work Schedule

Days/Hours: M-F, 9am-5pm, in person; work schedule subject to change based on needs of the department.

Benefits

The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) provides comprehensive employee benefit programs designed to help keep our faculty and staff and their families healthy, safe, happy, and productive. Our programs also include a variety of components to help our employees improve the quality and balance of their work and family lives, and to help them prepare for their futures.

• Retirement Plans
• Health Care Plan and Dental Plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Account
• Commuter Benefit Plan
• FIT Tuition Exemption Program
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Personal, Sick and Holidays)
• 4-day Summer Workweek
• Qualifying Employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program

For a full list of FIT benefits, visit our benefits webpage.

Pay Equity by State Employers

Pursuant to Executive Order 161, no State entity, as defined by the Executive Order, is permitted to ask, or mandate, in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current compensation, or any prior compensation history, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988 or via email at info@goer.ny.gov.

Visa Sponsorship

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship by the Fashion Institute of Technology.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

FIT is firmly committed to creating an environment that will attract and retain people from a range of backgrounds. FIT is firmly committed to creating a learning and working environment that encourages, utilizes, respects, and appreciates the full expression of every individual’s ability. The FIT community fosters its mission and grows because of its rich, pluralistic experience. FIT is committed to prohibiting discrimination, whether on the basis of race, color, creed, age, national origin, immigration or citizenship status, gender, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, partnership status, caregiver status, sexual and reproductive health decisions, uniformed service, height, weight, any lawful source of income, status as a victim of domestic violence or as a victim of sex offenses or stalking, whether children are, may be or would be residing with a person or conviction or arrest record, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. FIT is committed to providing equal opportunity in employment, including the opportunity for upward mobility for all qualified individuals. Applications from veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged. Inquiries regarding FIT’s non-discrimination policies may be directed to the Chief Equal Employment Opportunity Officer/Title IX Coordinator, 212.217.3360.

Annual Security Report

The safety and well-being of FIT’s students, faculty, staff, and visitors is of paramount importance. Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, FIT publishes an annual report containing crime statistics and statements of security policy, accessible here: Safety Statistics. A paper copy of the report will be provided upon request by contacting Public Safety’s administrative office number at (212) 217-4999.

Physical Requirements And Work Environment

The working conditions for this position will be primarily in an office space. The physical requirement for this position will require constant sitting, occasional standing, occasional bending, occasional walking, and occasionally lifting 10 lbs. or less.