College Counselor

Salary: $40,086.00 - $68,136.00 Annually
Location : Darlington County, SC
Job Type: FTE - Full-Time
Job Number: 191653
Agency: Governor's School for Science & Mathematics
Opening Date: 09/08/2026
Closing Date: 10/8/2026 12:59 PM Eastern
Class Code:: CB70
Position Number:: 61070074
Normal Work Schedule:: Monday - Friday (8:30 - 5:00)
Pay Grade: GEN07
Hiring Range - Min.: $40,086.00
Hiring Range - Max.: $66,800.00
EEO Statement: Equal Opportunity Employer
Agency Specific Application Procedures:: All applicants must apply online and submit a resume and cover letter. This position is not available for sponsorship.
Veteran Preference Statement: South Carolina is making our Veterans a priority for employment in state agencies and institutions.


Job Responsibilities

College Counselor - Office of College Counseling and Advising
The South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics (GSSM) is seeking a highly skilled and dedicated professional to serve as a college counseling professional. You will be working alongside a team of four other college counseling professionals, including a Director and Assistant Director, to develop programs that cater to the diverse needs of the student population. Your primary responsibilities will include guiding students and parents through the college search and admissions process, identifying colleges and scholarships that best fit their needs, and teaching sections of the College Planning Seminar course. Additionally, you will be required to write letters of recommendation for the Senior cohort, ensure that all supporting documents are submitted for each college and scholarship application, and serve as the College Liaison for GSSM. You will report directly to the Director of College Counseling and Advising.

About GSSM

GSSM's mission is to seek out and advance the state's most talented and motivated students, offering them a transforming education with a special focus on science, mathematics, and engineering that cultivates joy in learning and builds the confidence to engage as ethical leaders with the world's most significant issues.

GSSM is nationally recognized for the quality of its advanced STEM, humanities, student research, and international programs. Our faculty and staff share a passion for their disciplines and a commitment to inspire and lead students to achieve their best while fostering the joy of learning. GSSM is a public high school serving 11th-12th grade students residentially and 10th-12th grades through virtual programs. GSSM's Outreach Center engages over 8,000 elementary and middle school students through various STEM educational programs around the state in partnership with several school districts.

The significant areas of responsibility for this position include

• Steward residential students (and their parents) through the college search and application process, including entrance requirements, scholarships, and financial aid. Plan content for and teach sections of the College Planning Seminar course. Write letters of recommendation for Senior cohort and ensure additional supporting documents are submitted for each college and scholarship application.
• Assist the testing coordinator with set-up and administrative tasks for school day testing. This includes but is not limited to the PSAT, SAT/ACT, WIN, and AP exams.
• Act as the Scholarship Liaison by providing a monthly scholarship newsletter and related communications related to scholarships, including American Legion and Auxiliary for the Oratorical Contest and Palmetto Boys and Girls State programs. Promote oratorical contests to students and coordinate all travel for presentations at competitions. For PBS and PGS: promote and coordinate the application and selection processes.
• Act as the liaison for special programs, such as but not limited to (NCAA, First Generation students, Fly-In Programs, Service Academies, and International Students). Provide relevant programming to aid in the college process.
• Represent GSSM in professional organizations and various advisory groups locally and nationally. Visit college campuses to remain current on opportunities for our students. Remain up to date on current admission and higher education trends.
• Perform other duties as assigned and required by the Director of College Counseling & Advising.

Minimum and Additional Requirements
A bachelor's degree with comparable and relevant experience required.

Please note that some areas of the Agency may require an official, certified copy of the transcript prior to hiring or within a specific timeframe required by that area after hiring. Failure to produce an official, certified transcript may result in not being hired or termination.

Preferred Qualifications


A master's degree in educational counseling, higher education/student affairs, or other related field with a minimum of 3 years in high school, college counseling, or admissions setting preferred. Experience working with high school students in an advanced and specialized academic environment will be considered highly and previous college admissions experience is welcomed.

Additional Comments
The SC Governor's School for Science and Mathematics is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy childbirth or related medical conditions, including, but not limited, to lactation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.

Supplemental questions are considered part of your official application. Any misrepresentation will result in your disqualification from employment. Please complete the state application to include all current and previous work history and education. A resume will not be accepted nor reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position.
Benefits for State Employees
The state of South Carolina offers eligible employees generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid vacation and sick leave. Plus, work-life balance programs such as telecommuting and flexible work schedules are available to employees of some state agencies.


Insurance Benefits
Eligible employees may enroll in health insurance, which includes prescription coverage and wellness benefits. Other available insurance benefits include dental, vision, term life insurance, long term disability and flexible spending accounts for health and child care expenses.


Retirement Benefits
State employees are also offered retirement plan options, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Additionally, eligible employees may elect to participate in the South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program, which is a voluntary, supplemental retirement savings plan offering 401(k) and 457 plan options.


Workplace Benefits
State employees may also be eligible for other benefits, including tuition assistance; holiday, annual and sick leave; and discounts on purchases, travel and more.


Note: The benefits above are available to most state employees, with the exception of those in temporary positions. Employees in temporary grant and time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some or none of these benefits as benefits are associated with each position type. For these positions, contact the hiring agency to determine what benefits may be available.
01


Supplemental questions are considered part of your official application. Any misrepresentation will result in your disqualification from employment. Please complete the state application to include all current and previous work history and education. A resume will not be accepted or reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position. I have read and acknowledge the above statement.

• Yes
• No

02


I understand that a resume and cover letter are required by the agency to be considered for this position. By selecting "yes" I am confirming that I have attached all of the required documents to this application.

• Yes
• No

03


Do you have at least a bachelor's degree with comparable and relevant experience required?

• Yes
• No

04


Do you have a master's degree with a minimum of 3 years of experience in high school, college counseling, or admissions?

• Yes
• No

05


Do you have experience working with high school students in an advanced academic environment?

• Yes
• No

06


Do you have college admissions experience?

• Yes
• No

07


Please briefly describe your experience as it relates to this position.
08


How did you hear about this position?

• SC State Jobs Website - jobs.sc.gov
• Indeed.com
• Chronicle Ads
• Higher Education Jobs
• LinkedIn.com
• A current employee
• A former employee
• Other (please specify below)

09


If you answered "other" to the question above, please specify where you heard about this position below.
Required Question