Job Abstract

Notre Dame High School, a Catholic, college preparatory school in the Holy Cross tradition, educates the hearts and minds of students who are diverse in talent, ethnicity, and socio-economic background. As a faith community, Notre Dame strives to provide each student with a rich academic background, an appropriate sense of self, an opportunity for growth, a commitment to family, community, nation, and the world, and a respect for the spiritual dignity of all persons. Notre Dame faculty are expected to be men and women of integrity and able to espouse Catholic, Holy Cross, and Notre Dame mission values that will set a positive example for all students.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF POSITION

The college counselor position is a 10 month (approximately), exempt position that serves as a team member of eight counselors and reports to the Director of Counseling and the administrative team of Principal and Vice Principals. There may be additional opportunities to counsel and/or teach during summer school. The position begins in early August and ends mid-June with work hours on campus set at 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The position requires some extended hours, nights, and/or weekend attendance and travel for school events and professional growth.

Overview of Position:
College Counselors have the responsibility of guiding juniors and seniors through the college application process. The self-exploration, academic and personal growth, and research students focus on as freshmen and sophomores transition in spring of the junior year to a strong emphasis on the college preparation and process, college testing plans, the development of the college list, college application timeline. This preparation and exploration culminate during the senior year with the preparation and finalization of college essays, the assembly and creation of supporting documents for applications, the submission of the college applications, research and application of scholarship and financial aid opportunities, and ultimately in the making of an informed decision regarding the students post-secondary plans. College Counselors provide continuous advice and support regarding this entire process related to post-secondary planning to each student beginning the spring semester of junior year through graduation and beyond.

Primary Responsibilities:

• College counselors meet one-on-one with their students and their families and meet with students through multiple classroom visits.
• Organize and facilitate college essay workshops for incoming seniors during the summer before senior year, allowing the students to get a head start on their college applications and personal statements.
• Provide writing support and UC/CSU application sessions during the school year to help students complete their applications throughout the fall semester.
• Meet with seniors to shape the college list and ensure that the list reflects the best fit for them. Meet with seniors to help them complete applications, proofread their essays, assist them with the financial aid process, and navigate scholarships.
• Write customized letters of recommendation for each assigned senior.
• Host college admissions representatives on our campus, where they meet and interact directly with our students in small groups.
• Host a fall college fair, providing students and families access to college admissions officers from colleges and universities across the nation.
• Provide support and information for parents and guardians of assigned seniors. Host formal parent college information meetings in the spring semester of junior year and during the fall semester of senior year.
• Host a college financial aid meeting for senior families in the fall, and assist students in the search and scholarship application process.
• Sponsor monthly parent FAQs sessions throughout the junior and senior year to discuss informally college-related issues and answer questions with small groups of parents
• Provide each junior with a college handbook to help guide them on their college journey.
• Work closely with the grade-level academic counselors to ensure that rising students take appropriate course loads and standardized tests required by colleges and universities. Advise students assigned during the school year; discuss current academic progress and/or problems, future plans and goals and provide psycho-emotional support, including referral to outside professional services, as needed.
• Communicate with parents of assigned students to provide advice and support for the college application process, as appropriate.
• Review student schedules and transcripts to ensure appropriate classes are being taken and graduation requirements are being met.
• Discuss student schedule updates during the allotted change windows and when necessary. Regularly monitor student grades and progress, and recommend tutoring or other academic intervention.
• Meet regularly with students on academic probation to discuss their academic progress. Review, monitor and support students with identified and approved learning adjustment plans.
• Informs parents of assigned students when and where they will be available for consultation to review report cards and standardized test results and interpret these results for students and/or parents when necessary or requested.
• Communicates to the Vice Principal of Academic Affairs about any serious problem regarding assigned students academic progress.
• Recommends to the Vice Principal of Academic Affairs appropriate change of assigned students studies program.
• Conferences with students and parents on how and where to make up Ds and Fs at the end of each semester and within a timeframe approved by the administration.
• Documents student plans to make up Ds and Fs and provides Vice Principal of Academic Affairs with a report of plans and F contracts.
• Collaborates with the Deans to report discipline issues to colleges in conjunction with school disciplinary policies.

Qualifications:

• Masters degree in school counseling or related field, and/or a pupil personnel services credential required.
• A minimum of three years of counseling at the secondary school level or college admissions experience preferred.
• College counseling certification or other related experiences are helpful.
• Other skills: Excellent writing, communication, organizational, workplace collaboration, and technology skills required. Experience with Naviance, Microsoft Office Suite Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Google Drive Collaboration tools.

Wage Range
The rate of pay offered to the selected candidate is based on internal pay policy and budget. New hires are commonly paid at the minimum of the wage range or within the lower part of the range. We consider a number of factors when making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skill sets, experience, training and other department needs.