College Counselor - Full-Time/Part-Time (Madison, WI)

A part-time college counselor works with students and families through the college search and admissions process. This person must have impeccable communication skills, be able to connect with both high school students and their parents and be incredibly knowledgeable about colleges and the admissions process. The Counselor will also support other college counselors and our essay coaches in their work with students.

The position reports to the Director of Admissions Counseling. Because we work mostly with high school students and their parents, we tend to work in the later afternoons, evenings, and weekends. There is some flexibility in the schedule, as long as it is coordinated with families and the team. The position will evolve over time as the ideal candidate will take our current practices and expand and enhance them.

Families may sign up to do hourly work with a counselor or may sign up for our comprehensive program, which does not count hours. A typical student starts work with a counselor in the early Junior year.  A part-time counselor must commit to working with at least 5 "comprehensive" (or hourly equivalent) students in each graduating class.

College Counselor Responsibilities:

We are currently seeking hire an additional College Counselor in one of our offices or remotely to work with high school students and their families through the college admissions process. This position may be part-time or full-time, depending on the candidate’s preference.

Direct Services

• Work with roughly 30 students (full-time) or 5+ students (part-time) in each graduating class through all aspects of the college admissions process;
• Communicate with parents on a regular basis;
• Make use of publicly available data to inform advice and expertise;

• Regularly participate in professional development opportunities, including regional and national conferences, webinars, college tours, and more;
• Keep current on current trends in college admissions;
• Develop training and educational materials for self and others on the team.

Building a Caseload (for Full-Time Counselors)

• Write blogs and articles targeted at high school students and their parents;
• Coordinate events to speak publicly about college admissions;
• Develop relationships with local high school counselors and other educational experts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required / advance degree preferred;
• A minimum of three years of experience in admissions at a selective college or as an independent college counselor OR a minimum of five years of experience working as a counselor in a high school;
• Exceptional writing skills;
• Exceptional communication skills;
• Attention to detail, with strong organizational skills;
• Expertise in using web-based tools to advise students;
• Ability to work evenings and weekends, as needed (determined by students’ schedule).

• The full-time position is a salaried position ($70,000-$90,000 based on previous experience and education); the part-time position is compensated on an hourly basis ($60-90 per billable hour; all team members are also paid a prep-time rate for non-billable work).
• Up to 5% match 401(k) (for eligible employees)
• Health insurance stipend (for full-time employees)
• Paid membership in professional organizations
• Stipend for travel for college visits and conferences
• 3 weeks PTO (for full-time employees)