Scheduled Hours

37.5

Position Summary

Washington University in St. Louis is one of 32 member institutions in the STARS College Network. Through philanthropy and institutional funding, STARS colleges and universities support thousands of students from rural areas across the United States on their college journeys. STARS works closely the with rootEd Alliance, which places college and career advisors in rural and small-town high schools to ensure every student graduates on a path to achieve career success and economic stability. Through the commitment to STARS, WashU will be the central host for a group of college advisors intended to remotely support rural students in their college search at select schools across the country.

The STARS College Counselor position is part of the Undergraduate Admissions Office team reporting to the Associate Director of Admissions that focuses on rural and small town student recruitment. The STARS College Counselor will be based in Missouri and join a team of college advisors based in Illinois, Missouri, Tennessee, and Texas. Each college advisor will report to a STARS supervisor in addition to their supervisor at WashU. This position will advise, remotely and in person, high school students through the college process at 6-8 schools. This includes virtual meetings with students and regular virtual accessibility, presentations on applying to college, and regular in person site visits to assigned schools.

Job Description

College Advising

• Advises individual students from high schools, both virtually and in-person.
• Influences students and their families to apply to best fit colleges through information sharing.
• Hosts virtual and in-person events aimed at promoting college attendance, navigating selective college admission, assisting with application completion, and offering essay support.
• Writes letters of recommendation to support students in their application process.
• Remains accessible to students through phone, email and virtual platforms (Zoom, Teams).
• Self-manages schedule and travel based on high school needs. Weekend and evening availability required.

Financial Aid Advising

• Hosts virtual and in-person events aimed at demystifying college costs and financing.
• Communicates complex financial aid and scholarship processes.
• Guides students and families through complex financial aid applications.
• Interprets financial aid awards and translates awards to students and families.

Special Projects

• Budgets to maximize student impact with funding, and assesses outcomes that will assist the University in continuing to receive this funding.
• Creates marketing materials.
• Recruits underrepresented groups.
• Assists with rural-specific programs at WashU as necessary.
• Regularly meets with supervisor to check on progress and performance, review relevant metrics, and identify opportunities for improvement.

Relationship Management

• Coordinates with school administrators at high schools.
• Ensures high schools receive resources related to college advising.
• Shares information with school administrators related to the college application process.
• Liaises with other STARS College Advisors to develop college application curriculum and implement best practices.
• Routinely counsels students and must exercise professional judgement in sensitive cases.

Other Duties as Assigned

• Provides support to other project area(s) and program(s) as assigned by supervisor and/or departmental leadership.

Working Conditions:
Job Location/Working Conditions

• Normal office environment.
• The position will be located remotely. As conditions merit, working in an open office environment may be required.
• Travel and attendance at many events on and off campus is necessary.
• Work outside of normal business hours is necessary throughout the year.

Physical Effort

• Typically sitting at a desk or table.
• Repetitive wrist, hand or finger movement.
• Ability to move to on and off-campus locations.
• Ability to occasionally lift/move up to 25 lbs.
• Must transport recruitment materials to high school visits, college fairs, and group meetings.

Equipment

• Office equipment.
• Position requires heavy use of the computer in the office and at home.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

Required Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor's degree

Certifications:

No specific certification is required for this position.

Work Experience:

Relevant Experience (2 Years)

Skills:

Not Applicable

Driver's License:

A Class E (MO) or Class D (IL) license and a good driving record are required for this position.

More About This Job

Required Qualifications:

• Experience working in an educational setting.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with the high school college counseling process and academic requirements for qualification to high selective colleges and universities.
• Experience working with students in 9-12th grades.
• Previous presentation experience.
• Ability to take the initiative for projects and improvement.
• Previous presentation experience.
• Strong professional judgement.
• Ability to take the initiative for projects and improvement.
• Ability to work outside of standard university work hours.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability and willingness to travel.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

Master's degree

Certifications:

No additional certification beyond what is stated in the Required Qualifications section.

Work Experience:

No additional work experience beyond what is stated in the Required Qualifications section.

Skills:

Confidentiality, Data Interpretations, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Word, Multitasking, Oral Communications, Presenting to Groups, Professional Judgement, Taking Initiative, Working Independently, Written Communication

Grade

G08

Salary Range

$43,888.00 - $68,300.00 / Annually

The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.

Questions

For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ.

Accommodation

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email CandidateQuestions@wustl.edu or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.

All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

Pre-Employment Screening

All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement

Personal

• Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.

• Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.

• Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.

• WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.

Wellness

• Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!

Family

• We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child. Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs. Need adult care? We’ve got you covered.

• WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.

For policies, detailed benefits, and eligibility, please visit: https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/

EEO/AA Statement

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity and especially encourages applications by those from underrepresented groups. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.

Diversity Statement

Washington University is dedicated to building a diverse community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment – fostering respect for all and welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Individuals with a commitment to these values are encouraged to apply.