Associate Director of College Counseling

Company: Oregon Episcopal School
Location: Portland
Posted on: January 26, 2023

Job Description:

Description

OUR MISSION:Oregon Episcopal School prepares students for higher education and lifelong learning by inspiring intellectual, physical, social, emotional, artistic, and spiritual growth so that they may realize their power for good as citizens of local and world communities.

ABOUT US: Oregon Episcopal School occupies a wooded 59 acre campus where 880 students in Pre-K through 12th Grade share an excellent faculty, an inquiry based curriculum, and a strong sense of community. The School values employees who seek to continually develop the OES Essential Competencies in themselves and others and are prepared to engage in a vibrant, culturally diverse learning community.

JOB SUMMARY: The associate director of college counseling works as part of a team to carry out the OES college counseling program. This position reports directly to the director of college counseling.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Guide and counsel approximately half of the junior and senior class through the college search and application process, including the writing of counselor recommendation letters.
• Hold regular meetings with students and parents to assist in all aspects of the search and application process, as well as the selection of a college. Be prepared to guide students considering alternative paths and gap year options.
• Help plan and participate in class meetings, parent events, and college counseling programs at OES, including some programming and individual support of students and parents in grades 9 and 10.
• Assist with hosting college reps who visit OES.
• Assist with OES testing programs as needed: PSAT and AP Exams.
• Prioritize educating and guiding students and parents toward an informed and effective approach to the college search process and a reasonable and balanced approach to navigating academic and extracurricular choices in a college prep school.
• Stay informed on topics relevant to college admission and work with adolescents (trends, admission process, college options, standardized testing, financial ad, resources, international students).
• Engage in professional development through college visits, local and national conferences, meetings, and workshops as well as reading relevant books and articles.
• Assist with other responsibilities as requested by the director.
• Attend division meetings and all school employee meetings.
• Participate in the life of the school by attending school activities, events, meetings, and conferences.
• Engage fully in OES sponsored DEIA development activities as assigned.
• Serve as an advisor to a small group of students.
• At the discretion of the Head of Upper School and Director of College Counseling, other areas of Upper School involvement may include attending an opening of school grade level overnight trip, supporting a Winterim course, and/or leading an Activity second semester.
• Other duties as assigned.
  
  Requirements
  
  MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
  
  • BA/BS or equivalent in an appropriate field
  • Three years of experience as a high school college counselor or college admission officer
  • Intercultural competence, ability to work with sensitivity and effectiveness with students, families, colleagues of diverse backgrounds and identities
  • Digital literacy; proficiency in MS Office Suite, Veracross, Google Docs/Sheets and other web-based applications, as appropriate to job duties, flexibility and openness to learning as digital tools evolve
  • Ability to pass a criminal background check
    PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
    
    • Advanced degree in an appropriate field
    • 5 years of experience as a high school college counselor or college admission professional
      KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
      
      • Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to connect with high school students, ability to work well on teams
      • Knowledge of developmental issues experienced by adolescents
      • Awareness of how to support students with learning differences, executive function challenges, and those from disadvantaged backgrounds
      • An understanding of the culture and operations of school communities
      • Verbal and written communication skills, including effective public speaking skills, ability to manage confidential information in compliance with the law and best practice
      • Ability to collaborate and work effectively on teams
      • Strong organizational skills, ability to track and manage details and competing deadlines
      • Ability to contribute to strong and positive connections with high school students and to maintain collegial relationships with colleagues
      • Ability to consistently apply principles of equity, inclusion, and anti-racism on a day to day basis in work with students and families, in the broader workplace community
        
        PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
        
        • Ability to sit at computer and keyboard for moderate periods
        • Mobility sufficient to move about the campus
        • Sight and hearing adequate to perform the duties of the job, ability to communicate clearly
        • Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds on occasion
          *Please make sure to include a cover letter when submitting your application

Keywords: Oregon Episcopal School, Portland , Associate Director of College Counseling, Executive , Portland, Oregon