Details
Posted: 10-Jan-23
Location: Pennsylvania
Type: Full Time
Salary: NEG
Categories:
College Counseling
Preferred Education:
Masters
Wyoming Seminary seeks a Director of College Counseling who supports the school’s mission, serving as a strong leader and team-builder who is familiar with the goals and objectives of Wyoming Seminary while having the capability to respond effectively to the needs of a demanding student and parent population. Current knowledge of colleges — their academic programs, admission practices, financial policies, and procedures — is a must. The Director of College Counseling is a self-directed, competent individual with well-developed interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills and with a true concern for students embarking on their personal journeys.
Wyoming Seminary’s college counseling mission engages students in a journey of self-discovery in order to articulate a strong sense of self and to identify colleges and universities that are the best collegiate home for each student’s interests, abilities, and needs. The Director of College Counseling is responsible for leading a five-person team that manages all aspects of the student-centered exploration and the college search and admissions process.
Responsibilities:
- Implements a Grade 9 through postgraduate college counseling curriculum to educate students and their parents about colleges, the college admissions process, trends, procedures, and testing. The curriculum is designed to help students discern their own interests, strengths, and goals to pursue meaningful academic and extracurriculars at Sem that encourage students to grow and to discover majors/careers in which they may thrive and become their best selves.
- Advises and supports classes of 120-140 students and their families as they navigate the college process and choose their future plans. The Director communicates effectively with students and families and ensures consistency in their experience during the process. The Director also oversees the management of all support documents for students, including transcripts, counselor recommendations, teacher recommendations, and the School Profile.
- Understands the overall program to communicate effectively with all constituents of the school, serving on committees, acting as a resource, and working with the Head of the Upper School and the Head of School.
- Acts as oversight and support for standardized testing at Sem.
- Serves as a personal college counselor for 25-30 students in each class. The college counselors are key advisors on academic schedules, testing strategies, summer opportunities, and college/career aspirations for their students. The counselors meet sophomore counselees to develop solid relationships, guide juniors as they begin the college process in earnest by developing preliminary college lists of likely, target, and reach schools, and assist seniors/PGs in finalizing their college lists and they shepherd them through each step of the process, paying attention to deadlines, applications, essays, and standardized testing. The counselors also write counselor recommendations and submit all of the supporting documents for the seniors and postgraduates.
Other Duties:
- Supervises Associate Directors in their areas of administration: college outreach, data management, alumni outreach, athletic liaison, arts liaison, and standardized testing, as well as their counselor loads.
- Remains aware of issues and trends in college admission, higher education, and testing, as well as stays up-to-date about specific colleges.
- Leads meetings, presentations, and professional development for the office of College Counseling.
- Works with the Wyoming Seminary Admissions Office, specifically by meeting with prospective upperclassmen and their parents about the college process.
- Writes reports, reports to the Board of Trustees, make presentations, tracks applications and decisions, and communicates with faculty.
- Develops, updates, and co-teaches the Junior College Seminar in the spring term, including Case Study Nights for students and parents.
- Meets with college admissions representatives who visit our campus, and facilitates meetings between college representatives and our students.
- Serves as a liaison with college admissions offices, and travels to visit colleges and learn about schools to be able to advise students.
- Designs and builds an annual School Profile to share information about our school and our students.
- Maintains membership in professional organizations to follow institutional best practices and to attend and present at meetings and conferences.
Qualifications:
- A proven track record with creating and overseeing a college counseling strategic plan and evidence of strong work ethic.
- Master’s degree and a background in Admissions or College Counseling
- An employment history highlighted by increasing levels of responsibility.
- An ability to communicate effectively with all constituents in a school environment.
- A collaborative leadership style that includes strong interpersonal communication and conflict resolution.
Wyoming Seminary, as an equal opportunity employer, does not discriminate on the basis of color, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, or athletic or other school-administered programs.
About Wyoming Seminary College Preparatory School
Founded in 1844, Wyoming Seminary is an independent, coeducational preparatory school in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Sem, affectionately called it, holds a passion for learning, leading, and serving. Respect, integrity, and responsibility are core values. Through excellent academic, art, and athletic programs, students and teachers are part of a vibrant living and learning community.
Wyoming Seminary faculty and staff are campus leaders, role models, and important mentors for our students as well as one another. Faculty members have a passion for learning, leading, and serving and are committed to participating fully in campus life. Along with teaching, faculty and staff connect with our community in afternoon extracurriculars, weekend and evening duties, and the advisory program.
In applying for any position, please follow the directions within the job posting. All applicants will hear a response. For any part-time positions (like coaching or support staff), preference is given to applicants who can serve more than one role at the school.
Connections working at Wyoming Seminary College Preparatory School