Associate Director of College Counseling

Position Description

St. Catherine's School is an Episcopal day school in Richmond, Virginia, founded in 1890 enrolling 946 girls age 3 through grade 12.  Located on a 16-acre campus in the western part of the city, St. Catherine's core values include pursuing academic excellence, developing character, nurturing spiritual growth, celebrating individuals, and building community. 

St. Catherine's School provides a rigorous education that prepares girls with diverse perspectives for a lifetime of learning, leadership, and service in a global community.

Highlights of the St. Catherine’s School College Counseling Program:

●        Successful college admission to over 250 colleges and universities in the past 5 years, including the nation’s most prestigious academic institutions

●        National level student recognition in distinguished college honors and scholarship programs

●        Numerous athletic recruitment commitments each year

POSITION OVERVIEW

St. Catherine's School has a superior student-centered college counseling program and seeks to hire a dynamic and innovative Associate Director of College Counseling. We desire an Associate Director who will continue the program’s history of excellence by providing a customized experience for girls and families, rooting the program in current research on child development and developing a network of resources to benefit the St. Catherine’s community. The ideal candidate will guide students and parents through the complex college search and application process in a competitive independent school environment.

Supervisor:     Director of College Counseling

Supervisory Responsibilities:  N/A

Position Status:  Salaried, exempt, full-time, regular, 12-month

Hours of Work:  Standard work week.  Annual travel chaperoning and supervision.  Monthly evening programming for parents.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

●       Build strong interpersonal relationships that have a lasting impact on the lives of our alumnae and families

●       Provide a personalized approach to counseling and expertise that inspires students’ aspirations for their future

●       Share knowledge and resources in college and university communities while keeping current on college admission trends

●       Visit and develop relationships with colleges and universities, and meet with college representatives visiting St. Catherine’s and at annual area-wide college fair

●       Write personal recommendation letters for about one-third of each senior class and support faculty with specialized training

●       Demonstrate an ability to think independently and collaborate

●       Command excellent speaking, writing, and organizational skills

●       Meet deadlines and assist with college counseling-sponsored programs, events, workshops, and information sessions for various constituencies

●       Bring a positive attitude, comfort with conflict, and healthy stress management skills

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES MAY INCLUDE

●       Help administer and coordinate standardized testing (APs, PSAT, Pre-ACT)

●       Attend and assist with annual Richmond Area Independent Schools’ (RAIS) College Fair

●       Provide essay writing training, editing, and support to students

●       Provide course scheduling support to students, families, and faculty

●       Support research of and applications for honors and scholarship programs

●       Assist families with applying for financial aid and understanding aid award offers

●       Participate on the Health & Wellness Team for the Upper School

●       Assist Head of Upper School with reviewing report card comments

●       Supervise carpool and/or substitute classroom coverage, as needed

Requirements

REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS

●       Preferred: Master’s Degree in a related field from an accredited university with extensive experience in college admissions or college counseling

●       Required: Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 5 years experience

●       Knowledge and connections with a range of colleges and universities, to include top-ranked state and national universities

●       Membership, relationship with, and leadership in national and regional professional organizations is an asset

●       Experience teaching or working in an independent school setting is preferred

●       Mastery in public speaking, communications and technology, particularly with Google Suite, and social media skills

●       Ability to manage virtual programming using Zoom and other virtual platforms

●       Familiarity with SCOIR or similar enrollment management software would be an asset

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is required to sit; stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle and feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch and crawl; talk and hear; engage in moderately strenuous physical activity both indoors and out; and smell. The employee may occasionally lift or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.  Ability to become CPR and First Aid Certified.

TRAVEL

Occasional overnight and out-of-area travel may also be required for special events.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

St. Catherine’s School does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, or national and ethnic origin in the administration of its hiring practices. St. Catherine’s School is committed to providing an inclusive educational environment. We actively engage students, families, faculty and staff from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Our School community respects the differences in ethnicity, race, religion, sexual orientation and socioeconomic status. Consistent with the School’s mission, St. Catherine’s fosters in our students, and expects from all others, respect for the dignity and wholeness of every person. For more information about the school’s Access, Equity and Belonging please follow this link: https://www.st.catherines.org/about/access-equity-and-belonging.

BACKGROUND CHECK STATEMENT

Each employee’s employment and continued employment is contingent upon the authorization for and completion of a successful background check – in the School’s ultimate opinion. Such a background check may involve criminal, credit, abuse and neglect and/or driving records. The School may request authorization for a background check at any time. Failure to authorize the School to conduct a background check may result in an applicant not being considered for a position and an employee to be terminated.