Summary:

The College Advisor works alongside the College Advising Director guiding Upper School students and their parents through the college admission process. Well-versed in the college placement landscape, the ideal candidate will understand the importance of relationship building, both internally and externally, and be poised to market the goals of Duchesne’s unique program and schedule. Guided by Duchesne Academy’s mission, as defined by the Goals and Criteria, the ideal candidate will engender trust in students and parents alike. 

Primary Duties

• Provide comprehensive guidance to students and families on all aspects of the college counseling process, beginning in Grade 9.
• Manage the college application process for seniors, including overseeing documents to ensure accuracy and timely submission of all materials.
• Cultivate and maintain good relationships with admissions departments at a vast array of colleges and universities, serving as a liaison with college admissions offices. 
• Collaborate with the Director of College Advising to plan and participate in student and parent events such as college fairs, financial aid information sessions, and other workshops. 
• Support the dissemination of information about standardized tests (SAT, ACT) and help to administer PSAT and AP exams.
• Track and study data (e.g., applications, standardized testing results, AP scores and grade distributions).
• Keep abreast of changes in the college application and admissions processes and financial aid programs and help mitigate the impact of these changes on students and families. 
• Meet with students individually and in groups to discuss the college process and explore college options.
• Provide personalized guidance on curricular choices, college list building, essay writing, and resume creation.
• Write individualized counselor letters that highlight each student’s academic, extracurricular, and personal strengths.
• Collaborate with the Director on the production of the annual School Profile.
• Plan and execute travel to colleges, universities, and professional meetings.
• Collaborate with the Director to chaperone, plan and execute the 10th Grade College Tour.
• Collaborate with the Director on the selection of college book award winners for Upper School Prize Day.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Education/Prior Experience/Qualifications Required

• Bachelor’s degree (advanced degree and/or counseling degree preferred).
• A minimum of three years of experience in selective, recommendation-reliant university admissions and/or college counseling.
• Exhibit a high level of competence using technology.
• Ability to anticipate the academic calendar, to work independently, and to collaborate with team members on policies, procedures, and events. 
• Ability to make independent decisions along with maintaining the confidentiality of privileged and sensitive information.
• Strong references to convey your abilities.

Core Competencies:

• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to maintain accurate records.
• Creative, strategic, and thoughtful regarding the assessment of and improvements to current programs. 
• Strong ability to cultivate and maintain good relationships.
• Genuine affinity for working with students and families in an educational setting.
• High level of competence using technology.
• Growth mindset.

Upon Hiring

• Ability to pass a fingerprint-based background and Do Not Hire registry check.
• Successful completion of CMG Safe Environment Training.
• Current CPR certification. 

Essential Expectations

All faculty and staff members at Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart are expected and required to do the following: 

• Overtly support and act in accordance with the Goals and Criteria of the Society of the Sacred Heart; this expectation includes attendance at and applicable participation in faith-based practices. 
• Foster a safe, predictable, and supportive environment. 
• Interact with colleagues in a respectful and collegial manner that contributes to a healthy school culture.
• Demonstrate appropriate planning and preparation and fulfill routine responsibilities in a thoughtful and timely manner. 
• Uphold professional standards of personal presentation, professional courtesy, discretion, punctuality and attendance at all required meetings and events. 
• Appropriately carry out specific duties as determined by the Head of School and/or supervisor. 
• Maintain professional credentials and complete required training. Participate in and provide documentation for at least one professional development opportunity per year in addition to those required and provided by the school.  
• Respect the confidentiality of the school, its employees, students, and families. 
• Comply with the policies and procedures as articulated in the faculty and staff handbook. 
• Authentically engage in the school’s self-reflection process that requires written goals and measured progress towards them.

Nothing in this Job Description restricts Duchesne’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this position at any time. This position is at will, which means that either the employee or Duchesne may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without notice and for any reason or no reason.

Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart is committed to providing equal opportunity in all of its employment practices, including selection, hiring, promotion, transfer, and compensation, to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex (gender), age, national origin, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.