College Counselor

JOB PURPOSE

The College Counselor supports and advocates for high school juniors and seniors and their families as they prepare to apply to and matriculate in college or other post-secondary opportunities.

Reports to the Director of College Counseling.

RESPONSIBILITIES

College Counseling

• Serve as the lead college counselor for a caseload of 40–50 seniors
• Manage the timely submission of all college application materials, including school and teacher recommendations, forms, and other supporting documents
• Build relationships with juniors, seniors, and their families to guide them through the full college application process
• Support the coordination of college visits and annual programming to expose students to a range of post-secondary opportunities
• Write school recommendation letters for assigned seniors
• Collaborate with faculty to ensure students receive personalized, meaningful recommendations for college, enrichment programs, and scholarships
• Stay informed about a wide range of colleges, admissions standards, and testing requirements
• Guide students to identify best-fit institutions rather than prestige-based choices
• Encourage students to take ownership of their college search and application process
• Use or be willing to learn Naviance, MaiaLearning, or similar college planning platforms
• Partner with the Data Management team to maintain accurate academic records for juniors and seniors.
• Communicate regularly with students and families about key updates, deadlines, and events
• Maintain professional membership(s) and adhere to NACAC and PCACAC principles of ethical college counseling
• Teaching & Collaborative Work
• Teach Junior JumpStart and Senior Seminar courses
• Perform administrative, lunch, and recess duties as needed
• Regularly participate in grade-level meetings for 11th and 12th graders
• Collaborate with the leadership team and Upper School administration to support a respectful, productive school culture and ensure program continuity.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Strong time management, writing, and organizational skills; able to manage multiple projects while maintaining attention to detail
• Self-directed and proactive; follows through on tasks and responsibilities
• Willingness to work evenings and weekends during peak application periods
• Builds positive relationships with students and holds them—and oneself—to high standards of responsibility and punctuality
• Promotes a school environment of civility, respect, and professionalism
• Exercises sound judgment and resourcefulness with school assets and timeCommunicates clearly and professionally, both verbally and in writing
• Values partnership with families and responds to communications promptly and courteously
• Demonstrates ongoing motivation to grow professionally through learning and development
• Perseveres through challenges and models resilience for students
• Shows a commitment to the school’s classical mission

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred
• At least two years of experience in selective college admissions or high school college counseling
• This job description does not state nor is it intended to imply that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. All employees should be prepared to go beyond the narrow job description of the faculty member and participate in the full life of the school.