ABOUT US _______________________________________________________________

The Jewish Leadership Academy is a world-class Jewish Middle and Upper School dedicated to developing the skills, curiosity, and potential of Miami’s most ambitious students for a life of purpose, commitment, and service.

JLA is committed to:

• Challenging inquisitive minds to think critically and creatively in pursuit of the highest academic standards across all disciplines.   
• Putting values into action by embedding leadership training and community service into the heart of the educational program.
• Engaging the mind and stirring the soul to connect with the Jewish past and the Jewish present, the Jewish People and the Jewish State, through the broad and embracing lens of Modern Orthodoxy.

JLA opened its doors with 99 students in grades 6,7, 9, and 10 for the academic year 2023-2024.  By 2025-2026, JLA’s enrollment grew to 236 students in grades 6-12 from 60 different feeder schools across the Miami-Dade area, with a 40% acceptance rate, and 75% of families receiving financial aid.  JLA’s Middle School is currently at capacity, with the Upper School projected to follow in the coming years.

With an award winning state-of-the art campus in the Pinewood neighborhood of Miami, a unique curriculum that teaches only at an honors level and above, a rigorous admissions process that is highly selective with regard to academics and character, yet truly need blind with regard to a family’s ability to pay,  JLA is blazing a new path in the landscape of Jewish education.  Core academics at JLA are condensed into four days a week, with Fridays reserved for mission-driven programs, anchored by our seven year Service Entrepreneurship Program.  Amongst JLA’s most ambitious and innovative signature programs is JLA Ba’aretz, a mandatory month-long immersive educational experience in Israel for all students in grades 9-12 at the start of every school year, at no additional cost to parents.  

JLA seeks outstanding faculty of all faiths who believe in and actively support the school’s mission to educate Jewish students at the highest academic levels while connecting them deeply to their heritage and faith. We are carefully creating a faculty culture that is values-driven, committed to high standards, and rooted in respect for all.  Above all, we seek faculty who have a genuine love for teaching. Click here to view our Culture Deck.

COLLEGE GUIDANCE  ____________________________________________________

The College Guidance Department at JLA will provide each and every family with clarity regarding the entire college application process. Our college counseling program provides resources to students and parents throughout their four years in our Upper School, welcoming families to meet with us to discuss questions and concerns at any time. By teaching students how to put together a college application that reflects their individual strengths and interests, we empower students to take the lead in their college planning. Simultaneously, we provide exceptional support and expertise every step of the way - particularly for students who are first generation students. Whether it’s exploring colleges to build a college list, preparing for interviews, or applying for financial aid, we strive to make applying to college both straightforward and stress-free. We are proud of our strong background in highly selective admissions, as well as our extensive connections with admissions representatives and other college counselors throughout the country. We commit to staying on top of the most recent college admissions trends and look forward to sharing this knowledge with our JLA families.

For the 2026-2027 school year, we are seeking candidates who have prior counseling experience at an independent school. The ideal candidate enjoys working with high school students and families, and has a commitment to JLA’s mission and philosophy. 

RESPONSIBILITIES _________________________________________________________

Full-time employment for this position will commence in August 2026. 

Responsibilities will include:

• Assist students with creating their personal statement and supplemental essays; and keeps students and families informed about the ever-changing landscape of the college admission process
• Assist students with all aspects of the college search and application process, offering support and managing realistic expectations for students and their families; assists students with their college applications by providing comprehensive workshops on all major application platforms as well as offering final application review before submission
• Maintain strictest confidentiality and professionalism with privileged information
• Meet with students concerning all phases of the admissions college process and communicate regularly with students and their parents, guiding students and families through the college search and application process. Maintain detailed records of conversations and planning process.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with college admission officials, keeping them well-informed about the academic program, student experience, and signature programs at JLA
• Support the School’s mission statement and the philosophy of the department and adheres to School policies and procedures, including but not limited to what is outlined in the Employee Handbook
• Travel nationally to attend conferences and visit colleges and universities, travel internationally to visit colleges in Israel
• Devise, implement and plan college guidance events and programs for students and families
• Build and foster relationships with admission officers across the country
• Assist and/or lead college guidance programming for students, parents and the greater JLA community, including school-day, evening and weekend events.
• Engage in the school community through committee work, faculty and staff programs, leading co-and extracurricular activities, and/or other such activities.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Director of College Guidance
• May be subject to working hours during, before, and after the regular school day

BENEFITS__________________________________________________________

 A strong benefits package includes:

• Highly competitive salary
• Full health, dental, and vision for employee
• 8% annual retirement match
• Daily breakfast and lunch
• Generous PTO
• Relocation stipend
• Opportunities for professional development and growth
• Short and long term disability and life insurance

QUALIFICATIONS _________________________________________________________

A successful candidate will have:

• Master’s degree 
• Combined experience of five or more years as an admission officer and/or a college counselor in selective college admission processes
• Experience with Veracross, MaiaLearning and Google Workspace  (Gmail, Sheets, Slides, Drive, Forms)
• Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills
• Skilled at gathering information and data, analysis of data, and preparing and delivering presentations
• Ability to establish positive relationships with colleagues, students, and parents
• A team-oriented approach to all aspects of the college counseling process and a collaborative spirit of engagement in all professional endeavors. 
• Strong analytical writing skills and the ability to craft individualized letters of recommendation for each student on the counselor’s caseload, filled with relevant information. 
• Extensive knowledge of colleges, their academic programs, admission policies, and financial aid policies and procedures
• Strong public speaking skills and the desire to participate in events for students, parents/guardians, and colleagues. 
• Has awareness of issues and trends in college admission, higher education, and testing, as well as a professional interest in keeping up-to-date about specific colleges and maintaining membership in professional organizations
• Commitment to building strong, individualized relationships with students and their families in a high expectation environment and an orientation to eagerly welcome conversations and encourage interaction among students, parents and the college guidance office.
• A genuine love and interest in working with high school students and their families
• Spanish and/or Hebrew fluency is preferred but not required

About Jewish Leadership Academy

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