Director of College Counseling

Job Description

Job Description

Title: Director of College Counseling

Reports To: Upper School Principal

Mission: Committed to Jesus Christ, North Cobb Christian School provides a biblically based, academically excellent education in a nurturing environment, developing students’ potential to impact their world for Christ.

Qualifications
The candidate must: 

• Be a mature Christ follower whose relationship is defined by receiving Christ as Savior and continuing to pursue spiritual growth rooted in God’s word. 
• Acknowledge and understand North Cobb Christian School’s Mission Statement.
• Agree with the goals and mission of a Christian school.

• Possesses strong interpersonal, communication, writing, and public speaking skills.
• Excel at organizational skills as needed for multitasking and prioritizing responsibilities.
• Hold in-depth knowledge of universities and colleges, admission policies, application procedures, timelines, and college admissions/standardized testing.
• Work effectively with colleagues, faculty, and students by meeting deadlines, welcoming collaborative problem solving, deriving motivation from challenges, and upholding honest communication.
• Thrive in a fast-paced environment with a demonstrated ability to juggle competing demands with detail-oriented accuracy and efficiency.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with students and families.
• Balance the needs of multiple constituents, working effectively with students of varying abilities, handling parents' concerns, collaborating with teachers, and interacting with college admissions representatives.
• Possess a solid working knowledge of Google Suite; proficiency in SCOIR and RenWeb software is a plus.
• Uphold a polished, professional appearance and standard of dress as a key representative of the school in higher academics.
• Exhibit a positive attitude and helpful disposition while adhering to strict confidentiality. 
• Approach each day with patience, flexibility, and creativity. A sense of humor is also welcome! 

Employee Profile

Spiritually, the employee must possess characteristics that reflect: 

• A personal relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. 
• Evidence of spiritual maturity with a commitment to glorifying and honoring God in all areas of life. 
• Acceptance of the North Cobb Christian School doctrinal beliefs, Statement of Faith, and Lifestyle Tenets without reservation. 
• A strong, clear Christian testimony. 
• A mature, godly spirit. 
• A person of faith and prayer.

Personally, the employee’s life shall reflect: 

• A lifestyle of biblical integrity. 
• A spirit of dedication, commitment, flexibility, and responsiveness. 
• The ability to listen and respond to counsel.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Counsel, mentor, and support upper school students and their families throughout the college planning and application process. This includes developing a working list of colleges, supervising the writing and editing of college essays and student resumes, and writing individualized recommendation letters for each counselee.
• Educate students, families, and faculty on the college process, sharing current national and international admissions trends and identifying best-fit schools based on individual needs and goals.
• Write--and train fellow faculty on writing--comprehensive college recommendation letters.
• Travel to college campuses and attend college-sponsored events for high school counselors, as well as professional conferences and webinars.
• Conduct small group sessions for students on the college admissions process and YouScience aptitude assessment, guiding students through completing applications, essays, resumes, scholarship applications, and more.
• Create and maintain professional relationships with college admission officers and develop our school’s relationships and reputation with colleges.
• Along with other members of the College Counseling Office, help lead and facilitate dynamic parent and student education programs.
• Consistently use technology related to college counseling (SCOIR, RepVisits, YouScience, Slate, College Board, NCCS website updates, email using Google Suite).
• Provide information to parents and students about standardized testing dates, college visitation dates, filing application deadlines, presentations, workshops, etc., that support the college planning process.
• Coordinate and arrange private visits for students with college admission officers who visit NCCS using RepVisits.
• Work closely with the Director of International Students to identify college planning needs for international students, providing support and resources as needed.
• Coordinate and execute the Annual College Fair on campus at NCCS.
• Communicate test prep opportunities to families.
• Assist students and parents with obtaining financial aid information, provide resources for applying for scholarships, and explain financial aid packages received with college acceptances.
• Oversee final college selections, scholarship tabulations, and transcript processing.
• Prepare and supervise the processing of evaluations, recommendations, and other forms as required in connection with college applications; advise faculty in their writing of college recommendations and the recommendation submission process using SCOIR.
• Coordinate and execute the annual College Tour trip as part of Upper School Spring Term.
• Conduct individual college planning meetings with juniors and their parents every spring.
• Host and teach College Boot Camp in June and July for rising seniors to begin the college application process.
• Ensure appropriate credentials are sent to applicable colleges for each member of the senior class.
• Conduct conference calls with colleges to advocate for student applicants.
• Communicate updated information on the NCAA, NAIA, and JUCO college-athlete recruitment process to students, families, and coaches.
• Coordinate with the upper school principal, admissions, and marketing teams to establish the NCCS College Counseling program as a hallmark of the school.
• Annually update the NCCS School Profile, alongside the school’s marketing and communication office.
• Manage college planning meetings on the NCCS master calendar.
• Attend monthly high school faculty meetings and all-school staff meetings.
• Participate in school-related activities and events.
• Other duties as requested or assigned by school administration (principal, head of school, assistant head of school).

Dual Enrollment Responsibilities

• Stay updated on the state's dual enrollment program and processes.
• Work directly with partner schools (Shorter & Toccoa Falls) and additional dual enrollment institutions each semester to ensure students are fully vetted to take approved dual enrollment courses.
• Assist students in the application, registration, and funding of dual enrollment classes each semester.
• Update the NCCS Dual Enrollment Partnership Agreement (as needed).

Scheduling Responsibilities

• Offer academic counseling regarding course options and selections, while considering the student’s interests, abilities, and post-secondary goals.
• Work with the College Counseling team to approve students for dual enrollment courses and online courses for enrichment or credit recovery.
• Work with the registrar to ensure that new courses are submitted to NCAA and NAIA.
• Audit grad plans of all high school students at the end of each semester.

Testing Responsibilities

AP Coordinator

• Complete annual NCCA AP Course Audit.
• Order AP exams, process AP exam invoices, and submit AP exam fees to NCCS Incidental Billing.
• Coordinate AP exam testing, including assigning proctors, determining test room locations, compiling testing materials, and properly returning materials.
• Work with the director of the Moving Forward Program to request testing accommodations for eligible students.

Standardized Testing Responsibilities

School-wide Upper School Assessments: ACT Aspire & ACT/April

• Order testing materials for grades 9 - 11.
• Coordinate PSAT/ACT Aspire exam testing, including assigning proctors, determining test room locations, compiling testing materials, and properly returning materials.
• Work with the director of the Moving Forward Program to request testing accommodations for eligible students.
• Communicate individual ACT Aspire/ACT score reports to students and parents.

College Readiness Testing Responsibilities

PSAT/October

• Order testing materials for grades 9 - 11.
• Coordinate testing, including the testing schedule, assigning proctors, determining test room locations, compiling testing materials, and properly returning materials.
• Work with the director of the Moving Forward Program to request testing accommodations for eligible students.
• Communicate individual PSAT score reports to students and parents.

SAT/ACT Scores 

• Upload test scores as they become available to the student's FACTS account, including SCOIR. 

SAT/ACT in the School Day at NCCS

• Coordinate testing opportunities administered during the school day at NCCS. 

Other Information:

• This is an 11-month, full-time (40 hours per week) contract position. 
• Benefits include medical & dental plan, retirement plan, and tuition discount.