What are the responsibilities and job description for the College Counselor position at Benedictine College Preparatory?
Job Title: College Counselor
FLSA Status: Non-exempt, Full-time
Work Hours: 11-month position; Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.; some after-school events required
Start Date: April 2025
Salary: $55,000 - $60,000
Salary: $55,000 - $60,000
Position Description
The Benedictine Schools of Richmond is seeking a dynamic and innovative College Counselor for Saint Gertrude High School. We desire a college counselor who will provide a customized experience for girls and families, rooted in current research and developing a network of resources to benefit the Saint Gertrude community. The ideal candidate will guide students and parents through the complex college search and application process in a competitive independent school environment.
The Benedictine Schools of Richmond are Catholic college preparatory high schools-Saint Gertrude High School and Benedictine College Preparatory-co-located on the 73-acre Benedictine Abbey campus in Richmond, Virginia. For more than 100 years, the schools have offered single-sex education founded on the mutual complementarity of women and men and the equal dignity of all human people. We provide a common Catholic culture, steeped in Benedictine values, that promotes the education of the whole person-body, mind and spirit.
To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume, and a completed application to the Human Resources Manager, Jaime Harmeyer, at jharmeyer@benedictineschools.org.
Key Responsibilities
College Planning and Guidance:
- Implement a comprehensive 4-year college counseling plan to include group sessions (9-10) and one-on-one sessions (11-12).
- Guide students in identifying post-secondary goals and crafting personalized college search and application strategies.
- Coordinate grade-specific meetings to address high school expectations, graduation requirements, the college landscape, standardized testing, career planning, and scheduling.
- Assist students in understanding their academic records, including GPA, standardized test scores, and class rank, and provide advice on how to strengthen their applications.
- Educate students and families about college admissions processes, timelines, financial aid, and scholarship opportunities.
- Coordinate outside speakers on careers and college planning.
- Maintain NCAA requirements and update the high school portal with course descriptions and student transcripts.
- Maintain knowledge of service academy requirements and submit supporting documents.
- Update school profile and related outward-facing documents as needed.
- In conjunction with the school counselors, implement a 4-year strategy to familiarize students with SCOIR (9-10) and profile strength (11-12).
- Conduct individual meetings with rising juniors and seniors to review recommendations and create course schedules using the student information system (Blackbaud).
College Application Support:
- Help students select colleges and universities that align with their academic, social, and financial needs.
- Assist with drafting, revising, and finalizing college essays, personal statements, and supplemental materials, including counselor letters of recommendation.
- Provide expert advice on faculty letters of recommendation and building relationships with teachers and mentors.
- Support students through the Common Application, Coalition Application, and individual college applications (via SCOIR).
- Develop and lead an annual Summer College Application Workshop focused on the Common Application and college essays.
Test Coordinator:
- Oversee standardized assessments, including PSAT and AP exams, ensuring compliance with College Board requirements.
- As the PSAT Coordinator
- Schedule, coordinate and administer PSAT for all underclassmen.
- Train teachers to proctor the PSAT.
- As the AP Coordinator
- Approve Advanced Placement Course Audits and manage AP course registration and ordering via College Board.
- Monitor and maintain student enrollment in AP registration and ordering.
- Communicate exam dates to AP teachers and report scores to school administration by 8/1.
- Organize and utilize standardized assessment scores for course placement.
Communication and Outreach:
- Conduct group parent meeting(s) on scheduling, college planning and admissions, financial aid for college, PSAT, SAT, and AP testing.
- Maintain relationships with college admissions representatives and keep abreast of changing trends in the college admissions landscape.
- Serve as a liaison between students, parents, and the college admissions office to ensure smooth communication throughout the application process.
Data Management and Reporting:
- Maintain detailed records of student progress, applications, and outcomes in the college counseling database.
- Provide regular updates and reports to administration regarding college admissions trends, student outcomes, and program effectiveness.
Professional Development and Collaboration:
- Stay up to date with current trends, requirements, and best practices in college admissions.
- Collaborate with teachers, administrators, and other counselors to ensure a holistic approach to student success.
- Participate in professional development opportunities, conferences, and networking with other college counselors.
BSoR Guidance Department:
- Actively participate in school events that take place outside of regular school hours such as SGHS Back to School Night, Incoming Student Scheduling, Open House, Parent Teacher Conference Day, College Information Nights, NCAA Recruiting Workshop, and any other relevant events.
- Collaborate with teachers, administrators, and other counselors to ensure a holistic approach to student success.
- Carry out all duties assigned by the Dean of Faculty and Counseling Services.
- Make recommendations for book awards, selected scholarships, and the status of the various counseling programs to stakeholders.
Skills and Qualifications
- Preferred: Master’s Degree in a related field from an accredited university with extensive experience in college admissions or college counseling.
- Required: Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 5 years’ experience.
- Knowledge and connections with a range of colleges and universities, including top-ranked state and national universities.
- Membership, relationship with, and leadership in national and regional professional organizations is an asset.
- Experience teaching or working in an independent school setting is preferred.
- Ability to manage virtual programming using Zoom and other virtual platforms.
- Familiarity with SCOIR or similar enrollment management software is an asset.
Salary : $55,000 - $60,000