Director of College Counseling

ORGANIZATION: 

Rainier Scholars is a comprehensive academic enrichment program that supports students of color over a 12-year journey – from 5th grade to college graduation. We seek to serve those who are most under-represented on college campuses and have the greatest number of barriers to achieving a college education: 85% qualify as low-income, 90% would be the first in their family to earn a college degree. Our program offers rigorous academics, leadership development and personalized support for scholars, providing access to educational pathways and myriad opportunities previously unimagined. 

With a budget size of $10 million, a staff team of 50 full-time employees and 675 scholars and families whom we currently serve in Seattle and Tacoma, Rainier Scholars has established a positive brand for our unwavering commitment to education, proven success rate, and sustainable impact. We grow new generations of diverse college graduates, career professionals, and community leaders. 
 
POSITION SUMMARY:  

The Director of College Counseling requires a deep understanding of the college counseling process and the common challenges that first-generation college-bound, underrepresented students of color face. This role is responsible for overseeing a comprehensive program that moves students through every aspect of the college admission process, serving approximately 190 high school scholars who attend over 40 high schools in the Puget Sound area. The Director of College Counseling reports to the Director of Learning Support. The tasks listed below are intended as a general framework of the responsibilities of this position. Flexibility and continued quality improvement are necessary in our organization; thus, Rainier Scholars requires that individuals not perceive any job description as fixed. 

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Student and Family Support 

• Direct a comprehensive college counseling program that is consistent with the Rainier Scholars mission and also grounded in the best practices and principles of the profession. 

• Meet annually with approximately 50 juniors and 50 seniors individually and collectively to discuss long-term career goals and college choices. The Director of College Counseling also works in collaboration with the Director of Academic Counseling and the Director of Leadership & Career Development to advise juniors and seniors on curricular choices, standardized testing and summer opportunities. 

• Lead informational presentations to high school parents and/or students, such as grade-specific meetings, financial aid sessions and general college application workshops. 

• Devise, in conjunction with individual school college counselors, prospective college list for juniors each spring, taking into account their educational goals as well as financial considerations. 

• Plan and teach a two-day Spring application workshop for Juniors. 

• Keep track of active college lists and admission decisions. 

• Offer feedback on college essays and supplemental writings during the college application process. 

• Write a letter of recommendation for college acceptance for Rainier Scholars, as needed. 

• Meet individually with families to assist them with completion of the FAFSA/WAFSA  and CSS Profile, and in the spring, review and compare financial aid offers. 

• Monitor issues and trends in college admission, higher education, testing, as well as keeping up-to-date about specific colleges and maintaining membership in professional organizations. 

External Relationship Management 

• Manage and cultivate relationships with college admissions professionals to improve the program’s visibility and reputation leading to the active recruitment of our students by institutions of higher learning. 

• Compile an annual profile of Rainier Scholars for distribution to college and university admission offices. 

• Serve as a liaison between public and private high school college counselors and Rainier Scholars staff and families. 

Program Representation 

• Provide semi-annual statistical reports on application and admission trends to the Board of Trustees. 

• Participate in Seattle Area Independent Schools (SAIS) events and meetings. 

• Represent Rainier Scholars at regional and national conferences. 

The successful candidate will be able to: 

• Prioritize projects effectively, take initiative, demonstrate resourcefulness, and respond flexibly to changing work demands. 

• Develop programs, evaluate their efficacy, and implement quality improvement processes. 

• Demonstrate strong organizational skills, time management, attention to detail, and follow-through. 

• Support the culturally, ethnically, racially, linguistically, and economically diverse population we serve. 

• Show exceptional judgment and integrity, including maintaining confidentiality as appropriate. 

• Demonstrate a professional presence, strong interpersonal skills, and excellent written and verbal communication skills (including public speaking). 

QUALIFICATIONS: 

Required 

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field; Master’s degree in counseling or education administration preferred. 

• 5-7 years working in either college admissions or college counseling in a high school or college access organization 

• Experience working with students and families who are underrepresented on college campuses.   

• Service mentality to families, ability to demonstrate discretion and good judgment handling confidential information. 

• Fiscal management experience, including creating, overseeing, and managing budgets. 

• Functional knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, Adobe), Google Docs, and familiarity/ease with databases (FileMaker Pro) and familiarity with analyzing data. 

Desired

• Bilingual proficiency in Spanish.   

• Familiarity with college preparatory and access organizations. 

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS & WORKING ENVIRONMENT  

Compensation for this role is $82k - $92k annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications. This is a full-time, exempt position. Rainier Scholars offers employer-paid medical and dental benefits, employer-paid life and AD&D insurance, 403(b) retirement plan with employer match, generous vacation, all-staff holiday closure, personal days, sick leave, and holiday pay. 

Rainier Scholars is a workplace committed to wellness and sustainability. This is a flexible, hybrid full-time role based out of our Seattle office. This role may require some work in the evenings and weekends. This job will require attendance at meetings or events outside of regular office hours with flexible schedule and remote work options. 

 
Priority consideration will be given to candidates who submit their applications by January 30, 2025.  

Our work is rooted in ensuring that people from marginalized communities have the opportunity to thrive in education and careers that they are passionate about. Rainier Scholars is an equal opportunity employer committed to promoting an equitable and inclusive environment for our scholars, families, and staff. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and strongly encourage people of color, first-generation college graduates, and people from working-class backgrounds to apply. 

Salary : $82,000 - $92,000