High School Life Planner (College Counselor)

We are looking for a skilled and collaborative educator with the passion, commitment, and ability to empower, challenge, and engage students to live lives of learning, integrity, and purpose.

Vistamar Staffulty members…

• Have a sense of humor, enjoy working directly with high school-aged students, foster a passion for learning in students, and help to instill the qualities of a Vistamar Student.
• Are strong practitioners of cultural responsiveness in and out of the classroom, who exercise self-awareness, affirm multiple perspectives, address conflict directly and with care, and recognize the role of power and privilege.
• Actively engage in our school community
• Demonstrate an ongoing commitment to the reflective, iterative nature of teaching by pursuing professional growth and integrating feedback. 

THE POSITION

Starting on August 1, 2026, and reporting to the Director of Life Planning, Vistamar School is seeking a full-time Life Planner/College Counselor for the 2026-2027 school year. The ideal candidate is a passionate academic advisor and college counselor, eager to partner with students, families, and colleagues to guide students through the college process. Life Planning equips students in grades 9 - 12 with the tools they will need to do meaningful work, be engaged with their communities, and sustain fulfilling relationships with others. With the support and guidance of the Life Planning department, students build their life skills, understand their strengths, shape their story, and develop a post-secondary plan aligned with their values. College planning at Vistamar is intentionally embedded in the broader context of Life Planning.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serves as an academic advisor and college counselor for an assigned caseload of Ninth through Twelfth Grade students (approximately 40–45% of each grade), overseeing their academic progress while partnering with staffulty and communicating with families to support student success via one-on-one meetings and Life Planning classes
• Guide students and their families through the college research, application, and selection process, including developing college lists and advising on extracurricular activities, college applications & essays, and scholarships 
• Contributes to the development of programs, policies, and procedures to improve the Life Planning program with creativity, collaboration, and organization
• Develops, coordinates, and presents informational events for students and parents
• Hosts meetings with college admissions representatives to learn about schools and programs, building strong connections with various institutions.
• Promotes Vistamar’s reputation within the profession and seeks professional development by attending regional, state, and national conferences, and by visiting colleges annually to stay updated on higher education trends.
• Leads and supports special projects, including but not limited to helping to administer the PSAT and AP Exams, communications, scholarship database, summer opportunities resources, updating websites and presentations, and producing college events.
• Writes school letters of recommendation and submits all required supporting documents for college applications, scholarships, and other programs on behalf of students in their caseload, ensuring all materials are completed by institutional deadlines.
• Participate in admissions/development events, assist with student activities, and engage in faculty and team meetings.
• Must be available to engage fully with our onboarding process.
• Other duties as assigned

THE SCHOOL

Vistamar School is an independent college preparatory day school serving grades 9-12. The founders’ vision was to tap into the diversity of Los Angeles to bring together students who could learn from each other the skills and attitudes necessary for global citizenship. The Vistamar experience is guided by its core values and its mission, which rests on three pillars: challenging academics that engage and inspire students; an intimate atmosphere that supports students with caring relationships; and a diverse community that encourages the authentic exchange of perspectives and leads students to be comfortable crossing cultural boundaries. Vistamar believes there’s a better way to do high school.

Vistamar School serves a highly diverse population of students in grades 9-12, supported by a generous program of Moderated Tuition. Approximately 36% of our students participate in our Moderated Tuition program. Approximately 45% of faculty, staff, and students self-identify as people of color. We seek to attract a faculty and student body who bring a diversity of thought and culture to our school community, and who will be committed to ensuring that we provide an inclusive environment for the respectful exchange of multiple perspectives. Vistamar is located in the easternmost section of El Segundo.  The school is close to major freeway interchanges and is well-served by public transportation, including a commuter rail station.

Vistamar opened in 2005 and attracts and enrolls one of the most diverse student bodies in the greater Los Angeles area, with students from over 60 zip codes and more than 80 schools. Both tuition and salaries are competitive with other Los Angeles-area independent schools. Vistamar is fully accredited by the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and holds institutional memberships in the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and the Council of International Schools (CIS).

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

11-month (August 1 - June 30) full-time exempt position.  Anticipated compensation is $76,000-$106,000, depending on experience.  A competitive benefits package is also offered, which includes: 

• Health, Dental, Vision Insurance
• Life & Disability Insurance
• 5% (1-10 years of service) & 8% (10+ years)Non-matching Employer 403(b) Contribution
• Flexible Spending Plans
• Generous Time Off Package: Sick Time, Personal Time, and School Breaks
• Daily lunch at no cost to all employees

INTERESTED?

• To apply, submit a resume, cover letter, and application on our website:  https://www.vistamarschool.org/about-us/employment 
• Vistamar School is a 501c3 non-profit corporation which does not discriminate based on race, color, national and ethnic origin or sexual orientation in the administration of our educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, employment, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree and prior experience in college counseling, college admission, and/or academic advising required.
• Outstanding interpersonal, leadership, and communication skills, with a strong discernment in decision-making.
• Strong writing, public speaking, attention to detail, and organizational skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse constituents in a school environment.
• Exercise flexibility and direct communication to cultivate strong and collegial relationships with all community members while maintaining appropriate boundaries; meets deadlines and has effective organizational skills; has effective coping skills to manage challenge or stress
• Utilizes computer software applications, including but not limited to Google Tools (slides, forms, documents, calendar, site), Microsoft Suite, Maia Learning, Slate, and Blackbaud. 
• Due to the cyclical nature of the position, the incumbent should expect to work some evenings and weekends during the school year, especially during the fall and spring. Additionally, this position may require work during school breaks. If so, floating holiday hours and/or stipend will be provided for the employee's future use as determined by the supervisor.