Assistant/Associate Director of College Counseling (experience dependent)

Assistant/Associate Director of College Counseling (experience dependent)

Anticipated Start Date: July 2025

Job Description

Holderness School seeks a dynamic and creative candidate to provide individualized and personalized education, advising, and guidance for students and families throughout the college exploration and application process in a residential environment. Reporting to the Director of College Counseling, this position will interact with students, families, teachers, advisors, coaches, administrators, and college admissions representatives. After the first summer, this will be an early August through mid-June position.

Overview

Located amid the lakes and mountains of central New Hampshire, Holderness School is a traditional co-ed independent secondary school serving grades 9-12. Holderness strives to strike a balance in fostering the resources of the mind, body, and spirit: the mind through a challenging college preparatory curriculum; the body through outdoor activities and required interscholastic athletics; and the spirit through school and community service and affiliation with the Episcopal Church. Holderness remains by choice, a small school where everybody plays an important role and where students, faculty, and staff maintain close personal relationships.

Diversity Mission Statement

Holderness School is committed to being a community that celebrates and supports diversity in its many forms because multiple perspectives and experiences are vital to educational excellence and strengthening our community. Diversity refers to the human facets of race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, ability, and socioeconomic status. Holderness strives to create opportunities for cooperation, broaden the educational experience of all students, and enrich the lives of all community members.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• For the class of 2026, participate in a team-based counseling approach, given the July 1 start date, mid-process.
• In a more typical year, the caseload is 30-35 12th-grade students and 30-35 11th-grade students onboarded in January of 11th grade.
• Educate, advise, and guide through the college exploration and application process including research, applications, interviewing, essay writing, college affordability, and financial aid forms.
• Meet approximately biweekly with counselees using their free blocks (Monday - Saturday) and 1 night of “drop-in” hours during September and October (2 hrs). Post timely notes from each meeting.
• Provide a personalized approach to counseling and working with students and families in line with our office mission of providing students with a choice of multiple communities for them to belong and thrive. Recognize that the college process is different for every student.
• Maintain strict confidentiality with sensitive student data and information.
• Maintain a professional level of sensitivity to different family cultures and dynamics.
• Understand and address the social and emotional pressures on students and families associated with the college search, application, and admissions processes.
• Write thoughtful, well-crafted, compelling, recommendation letters summarizing each student’s high school experience and the community’s view of the overall contribution made by that student.
• Communicate clearly, effectively, and timely with students, families, colleagues, and college admission officers through individualized conversations and written communication.

• Work collaboratively with the other members of the college counseling team to support all students and families, welcoming conversations and encouraging interaction among students, families, and the College Counseling Office.
• Cultivate strong relationships with college admissions officers from a broad range of colleges; host admissions officers during campus visits.
• Represent the school at events and activities that build communication and strong relationships with college admissions professionals to promote the school.
• Teach two college seminars a week to juniors or seniors.
• With the Director, organize college counseling events and programming, for students and families, that may include programming occurring outside of the school day, such as evening programs, college fairs, and weekend testing.
• Stay abreast of current knowledge and trends in college admissions and NCAA requirements through reading, research, and participation in professional development opportunities, including visits to colleges, utilizing our membership in and attending professional associations and conferences, participating in campus visits and tours, and networking with college admissions and college counseling colleagues.
• Build upon a culture of inclusivity in the college process. Meet the ethical standards of the college admission profession as articulated by the National Association for College Admission Counseling.
• Actively support the school’s mission and values while sharing in the day-to-day life of the school community.

• Engage in two other areas of school life based on prior experience; this will include evening dorm supervision (offering a time to meet with counselees), coaching a sport in the winter/spring, advising a club, or teaching a class. The goal is to fully engage in the Holderness community to better serve counselees in the process. This includes one dinner per week, two evenings supervising a campus space per week, and approximately five weekends per year.

Qualifications

• Candidates must have a Bachelor’s degree.
• At least three to five years of experience in selective college admission is desirable; experience in college counseling will also be considered.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• A collaborative, team-oriented, and professional style.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to meet multiple deadlines for multiple application processes.
• Strong computer software acumen and ability to learn new programs quickly. Knowledge of technology such as Maia, College Kickstart, school databases, and Google apps is preferred but not required.

The Process

If interested in this position, please send a resume and letter of interest to holderness-employment@holderness.org. Priority consideration will be given to applications received before January 5, 2024.

Holderness School offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, dental, vision, life insurance, generous retirement match, tuition remission for dependents, professional development opportunities, use of grounds and facilities, and meals when school is in session for you and your family.

All employment is contingent upon successful completion of a criminal background check.

Holderness School is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against or tolerate discrimination against any employee or applicant in any manner prohibited by law.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $55,000.00 - $65,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Every weekend
• Nights as needed

Ability to Relocate:

• Holderness, NH 03245: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $55,000 - $65,000