High School College Counselor Chair

About the Organization:

The American Dream Charter School is located in the Mott Haven section of the Bronx and educates students from grades 6-11, focusing on English language learners and immigrant students. Our mission is to cultivate bilingual academic excellence, equip students for college success, and empower them to become leaders in their communities.

Job Summary:

The College Counselor Chair will lead the college counseling team, oversee the college readiness programs, and directly support senior students through their college application and financial aid processes. This role requires a dynamic leader capable of managing multiple responsibilities within the counseling department.

POSITION OVERVIEW & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Collaborate with 9-12 grade College Prep Counselors to meet weekly, monthly, & annual goals

• Support all College Prep Counselors in successfully administrating the 9/12 Grade College Advising Curriculum.
• Support the College Prep Counselors in meeting their end-of-year deliverables.
• Meetings for the college counseling team, setting agendas and monitoring progress towards academic and operational goals.

• Facilitate professional development sessions for staff focusing on college admissions processes and effective counseling strategies.

Support the College Prep Counselor in meeting their deliverables

• Creating a replicable school-wide outreach strategy system. 
• Problem-solving financial aid issues. 
• Note that their role is busiest during the May-August and December periods.

• Meet with Graduating Seniors 1:1 - Advise a caseload of graduating seniors through the college application process, financial aid process, and scholarship application processes 
• Provide targeted support in the college process
• Send College Data to HSLT - Aggregate data using 12 Grade Data Spreadsheet and SCOIR
• Please send relevant data to the high school director on Mondays at 8:00 a.m. for inclusion in the weekly memo and more detailed data to HSLT.
• Facilitate Internal College Office Meetings - Create agendas and facilitate weekly College Team meeting
• Create a weekly agenda for internal college office meetings to assess the work underway and gauge the types of support that the College Counselor Chair should provide for their weekly/monthly deliverables. Ensure all team members are updated with the latest data and office priorities. 

Support the Alumni Counselor in meeting their deliverables

• Support the Alumni Counselor by actively engaging alumni from all graduating classes
• Support the Alumni Counselor with 
• Build relationships with alumni
• Scheduling meetings with alumni
• Maintaining an active caseload

Marking Period/ Monthly Responsibilities

Coordinate ADS College Admissions Visits and College Trips - Organize 2 in-person representative visits and 2 in-person college visits per marking period

Target specific CUNYs, SUNYs, and Private colleges to visit. Maintain relationships with the college admission counselors.

Ensure On-Track Completion of College Application Process - Create marking period goals for the application process

These goals include:

• College Essay, Extracurricular Activities, and Resume creation deadlines
• CUNY and SUNY application deadlines
• Completion of Macaulay Honors Essay
• Completion of EOP Essay
• Completion of EOP Financial forms
• Private college application deadlines
• Completion of Supplemental essays
• FAFSA/ TAP/ CSS Profile/ SEEK/ HEOP
• Collection of financial aid forms

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership and Team Coordination

• Organize and lead the weekly meetings for the college counseling team, setting agendas and monitoring progress towards academic and operational goals.
• Facilitate professional development sessions for staff focusing on college admissions processes and effective counseling strategies.

Student Counseling and Advisory

• Manage and advise a caseload of 12th-grade students, guiding them through college applications, financial aid (FAFSA, TAP, CSS, etc.), and scholarship applications.
• Provide strategic support to Alumni Counselor in fostering relationships with graduates, ensuring ongoing support and resource sharing.

Data Management and Analytics:

• Maintain and update student data in SCOIR and other tracking systems regularly to ensure accurate reporting of college application statuses and outcomes.
• Analyze performance data to guide future counseling practices and interventions.

Program and Event Management

• Coordinate college visits and admissions representative meetings to expose students to various postsecondary options.
• Plan and execute major annual events such as College Decision Day, College Exposure Day for underclassmen, and a comprehensive Career Fair.

Budget Oversight

• Manage the department’s budget, planning expenditures for college applications, alumni events, incentive trips, and parent engagement activities. Adjust financial plans based on departmental needs and available resources.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required

• Bachelor's degree required, preferably in an education-related field from an accredited university (Masters preferred) in a related field.
• The successful candidate will have at least 3 years of experience in selective college admissions and/or college counseling.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, responding appropriately to the needs of students, administrators, and colleagues.
• Ability to forge relationships with external partners to promote ADS's mission, vision, values, and students.
• An in-depth knowledge of colleges and universities and a contextual grasp of the current college admissions landscape.
• A team-oriented approach to all aspects of the college counseling process and a collaborative. spirit of engagement in all professional endeavors.
• Proficiency in Google Workplace.
• Strong public speaking skills.
• Ability to develop and communicate with the student body, parents, and other stakeholders.
• Commitment to building strong, individualized relationships with students and their families.
• An ability to engage students in a classroom setting and teach a course geared toward the college search and application process.

Preferred

• Experience with student information systems such as SCOIR or Naviance.
• Fluency in Spanish and experience with bilingual education environments.
• Experience working with undocumented, first-generation, or low-income student populations.
• Active engagement in relevant professional associations like NACAC or ACCIS.

Application Instructions

Applications must have a cover letter to be considered.

To apply for this impactful position, please attach a detailed cover letter to your resume. Your cover letter should express your interest in the position, highlight how your qualifications align with the job requirements, and discuss your connection to ADS' mission.

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