College Counselor

Do you believe every student deserves the opportunity to succeed in college and feel called to help young people discover futures filled with purpose and possibility?

In this role, you will guide students and families through the college journey with clarity, encouragement, and care. Through relationship-building, individualized advising, and a commitment to Jesuit values, you will help inspire a strong college-going culture where students are empowered to thrive.

JOB SUMMARY

The College Counselor supports students and families throughout the college application and matriculation process while fostering a strong college-going culture across the Cristo Rey Jesuit community. Through individualized counseling, family engagement, classroom instruction, and collaboration with staff and external partners, this role helps prepare students for success in college and beyond.

Rooted in equity-minded advising and a commitment to first-generation college-going families, the College Counselor serves as a trusted guide helping students navigate admissions, financial aid, and college planning with clarity and confidence, while advancing Cristo Rey Jesuit's mission of preparing students to lead lives of purpose, service, and impact.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

College Counseling

• Implement the CRJ College Readiness curriculum in collaboration with the College Counseling Team
• Teach two sections of the 12th grade college readiness course each day during fall semester, two sections of the 11th grade college readiness course each day during spring semester, and periodic lessons for lower grades
• Serve as College Counselor for 40-50 seniors, guiding students and families through every stage of the college application and matriculation process, including college list development, application essays and materials, financial aid and scholarship applications, interpretation of financial aid packages, and final college decision making
• Provide intensive, differentiated, equitable advising to seniors and their families throughout the college admissions process
• Ensure a smooth transition of support from college counseling to alumni advising in spring of senior year
• Assist in planning and hosting parent education and engagement events across all grade levels, including FAFSA completion events, college fairs, parent meetings, and College Signing Day
• Promote and strengthen a college-going culture throughout the school community

Underclassmen College & Career Exposure

• Support 9th-11th grade students applying to and completing summer pre-college programs
• Partner with the Corporate Work Study Program to develop opportunities for students in grades 9-12 to explore career pathways and related educational opportunities
• Help coordinate and execute college admissions programming, including on-campus admissions presentations and college campus visits for CRJ students

Other Duties

• Build and maintain strong relationships with college admissions and student support personnel to ensure a high-quality admissions experience for CRJ applicants and ongoing support for CRJ graduates after enrollment
• Collect and track college admissions and financial aid data
• Collaborate with the college counseling team and school leadership to achieve college readiness goals, including 100% four-year college admission and FAFSA completion, while using student data and trends to inform and improve counseling practices
• Actively monitor transitions, meals, and other common times to ensure a calm and orderly environment; chaperone and moderate school events, including trips and dances; serve as a substitute teacher as needed
• Seek areas of growth for the school and volunteer where possible to help coach, manage a club, plan a school-wide event, lead a retreat, or otherwise contribute to the life of the school
• Other duties as assigned by the Principal or Director of Post Graduate Success

Professional Presence & Ignatian Leadership

• Model CRJ's core Ignatian values and Catholic, Jesuit commitments: treating all stakeholders with empathy and care; following through with commitments; communicating with integrity; expressing gratitude; and spreading optimism and joy
• Approach your teaching and counseling through a developmental lens; enthusiastically participate in professional development and formation, including opportunities offered by the Cristo Rey Network and the Network College Initiatives Office; seek and apply feedback from leadership and colleagues
• Engage students, parents, and colleagues with respect, fairness, and empathy to enable full partnership with the school
• Contribute fully, intentionally, and constructively to the broader school team - collaborating with integrity, humility, and joy to ensure the foundation of trust that will enable the community to accomplish its ambitious goals
• Embrace the school's goals and results as the collective responsibility of the entire Cristo Rey community; seek opportunities to celebrate the school's accomplishments and recognize the contributions of colleagues

QUALIFICATIONS:

Successful applicants will embody the mission commitment, relational warmth, openness to growth, and zest that are central to our team's character. In addition, they will meet or exceed the following requirements:

• Bachelor's degree or higher required; coursework or credential in school counseling, college access, or a related field preferred
• Expertise in the college admissions and financial aid processes is preferred
• Knowledge of the academic, socio-emotional, and life skills necessary for college persistence, particularly for first-generation college students and families
• Teaching experience a plus
• Fluency in Spanish and English strongly preferred
• Exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with demonstrated ability to connect with diverse students, families, and colleagues
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce clear, professional written materials for students and families
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage a senior caseload alongside teaching responsibilities and program-wide initiatives
• Evidence of ability to further the school's unique Jesuit mission and serve students and families from under-resourced communities

About Cristo Rey Jesuit High School

Cristo Rey Jesuit (CRJ) Milwaukee is part of a national network of 41 high schools that transform urban education through a unique integration of college-prep academics, professional experience, and spiritual formation, with a focus on students of limited financial means. As a private, Catholic, Jesuit high school serving 450 students, Cristo Rey Jesuit's mission is to provide an affordable Catholic secondary education with a college-prep curriculum and a Corporate Work Study Program to prepare graduates for success in college, work, and life.

Cristo Rey Jesuit High School Milwaukee is an equal opportunity employer that provides equal employment opportunities to applicants without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sex, or national origin.