Assistant/Associate Director of College Counseling

Description

Summary

Assistant/Associate Directors of College Counseling are responsible for assisting with the ongoing implementation of a comprehensive, holistic, developmental and student-centered college counseling program at Mercersburg Academy. College Counselors are responsible for helping to ensure the realization of the Office of College Counseling’s vision statement and curriculum.  Assistant or Associate level will be determined by level of education and experience.

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Educate students and parents about the college search and application process and counsel them thoughtfully and ethically on the choices they will make in the process;
• Compose compelling and comprehensive counselor letters of recommendation for each senior counselee; Provide peer review of colleague’s counselor letters of recommendation
• Meet with students in grades 9-12 (as a group and individually) to implement a developmental appropriate college counseling program;
• Read and provide feedback on college essays and supplemental writings;
• Help to plan and conduct college informational programs for students, parents, and faculty throughout the year regarding college admission, office procedures, financial aid, etc.;
• Create and maintain strong professional ties with college admission officers;
• Willingness to attend national conferences and college tour programs; 
• Flexibility to arrange and attend individual college visits during academic year and the summer months;
• Work as a member of a collaborative team;
• Possess computer and technological competence and willingness to be trained to use MaiaLearning and College Kickstart
• Use MaiaLearning with students, to communicate with parents, and to record details of meetings in journal entries;
• Advise students on standardized testing options; Assist in the administration of standardized testing; Assist in managing test preparation program;
• Implement and communicate to students and parents procedures and policies of the Office of College Counseling and Mercersburg Academy;
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Dean of College Counseling, Dean of Academics, Associate Head of School for School Life, or Head of School. 
• This position has an expectation to be available for support for programs and activities that occur in the evenings and on weekends. As a faculty member in a residential environment, this position carries out additional responsibilities such as dorm duty one night a week and two weekends per term. The faculty member will also participate in one co-curricular activity.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

The position requires someone who finds joy in working with adolescents in a residential setting and exhibits a passion for mentoring them as they work through the college admission process; writes and speaks well; is able to manage multiple tasks at the same time; understands the tasks required for students, parents, and teachers to successfully complete a college application; and will be a creative, flexible, and energetic member of the College Counseling team. 

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree
• At least 3 years counseling or college admission experience, preferably in an independent boarding or day school environment or school counseling experience at a public high school with a high percentage of college bound students.
• Prior knowledge of and ability to use MaiaLearning.
• A valid driver’s license.

Physical Demands:  

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. 

• Environment: Work is performed mostly in an indoor/office environment where the noise level is quiet. The office space is two-storied without access to an elevator.
• Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; may occasionally lift up 20 lbs.; to travel in all modes of transportation; sufficient manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination to operate office machinery, specifically a computer and keyboard to write and edit college recommendations. Must be able to understand the English language to write and edit college recommendation letters. Required to meet with students both in-person and virtually, meet with parents in-person and virtually. Required to attend student training sessions and parent information sessions. 
• Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction to be able to see close, distance, and to focus. 
• Auditory: Must be able to express or exchange ideas by means of the spoken word. Must be able to talk and hear by telephone and in person.