Prep Associate Director of College Counseling

Position Title: Associate Director of College Counseling

Department: Prep

Reports To: Director of College Counseling

FLSA Classification: Exempt

FTE (Full-Time Equivalent): 100%

Schedule of Duties: 11-Month

Salary: $100,000- $135,000 annual/salary

Position Purpose: The Associate Director of College Counseling counsels upper school students regarding college placement coordinates assistance during the application process as well as supports efforts and initiatives of the Director of College Counseling

Specific Expectations for Prep Faculty & Staff: In addition to regular teaching and duties, the following duties and responsibilities are expected as part of the faculty/staff workload: chaperoning, community responsibilities, professional development and trainings, classroom substitution, holding office hours, proctoring exams, admission interviews, and attendance at, or participation in, mandatory meetings and/or events (e.g. Director’s Day, open houses, Schools’ annual auction), as required and directed by your supervisor. All employees will be paid appropriately and according to current law. In the case you are required to work outside of your normal work schedule, non-exempt employees will receive overtime pay, as eligible.

Essential Functions

• Counsels students and their parents, individually and in groups, on college selection, application and admission procedures.
• Manages a caseload of assigned students, counseling them in selecting best fit colleges.
• Supports students in personal statement and supplemental essay writing and completion of applications.
• Provides advice for student entrance exam testing; provides pre- and post-test counseling.
• Coordinates students’ accurate testing/academic records with the Sacred Heart Preparatory (SHP) Testing Coordinator and Registrar.
• Advocates for students throughout the application process, including writing a detailed and timely letter of recommendation for each.
• Assists in managing the prompt completion and transmission of SHP materials and recommendation letters to colleges.
• Assists Director in providing communication pieces, including school profile, secondary school report, college handbooks, board reports and newsletters.
• Prepares and executes presentations throughout the year for students and families on different facets of the college admissions process.
• Represents the school at relevant state, national and professional conferences and workshops; interacts with college representatives during SHP visits and college campus travel.
• Manages project responsibilities within College Counseling’s 9-10th grade and first generation student initiatives.
• Assists in maintaining informative comprehensive college counseling resources on campus and online.
• Assists in maintaining communication with and knowledge of wide range of higher education option colleges.
• Provides support in guiding students/families through the financial aid process.
• Performs other duties assigned by the Director of College Counseling or the Prep Principal.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in college counseling or closely related field. Master’s or postgraduate work in college counseling or closely related field is strongly preferred.
• 3-5 years of college admissions or college counseling. Prior experience in an independent/Catholic school environment is strongly preferred.
• A clear commitment to the educational philosophy of Sacred Heart Schools as articulated in the Goals and Criteria of a Sacred Heart Education and professional behavior based on it.
• Experience with using online college admissions software. Prior experience with Scoir (college admissions software) is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated leadership skills and commitment to equity and inclusion.
• Fluency in reading, writing and speaking in English. Additional skills in Spanish are valued and preferred.
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills, as well as outstanding interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work well with students and colleagues; willingness to be an active, enthusiastic member of the SHS community. Demonstrated interest in working with adolescents and their parents.
• Ability and willingness to work evenings and weekends as necessary.
• A clear understanding of the complex nature of the college counseling and college application process.
• Excellent attendance and punctuality.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

• Works in a highly stressful environment dealing with a wide variety of challenges, deadlines and a varied and diverse array of contacts.
• Must be able to travel safely and comfortably across a 64 acre campus
• May work at a desk and computer for extended periods of time.
• Be able to occasionally lift up to 30 lbs.
• Work primarily in a traditional climate controlled office environment.
• Work intermittently in outside weather conditions, including extreme heat and cold.