Associate Director of College Guidance

General Summary: Supports the School’s mission by preparing students and their families to make well-informed decisions regarding all aspects of the college preparation and application process. Leads students towards fulfillment of their potential for intellectual, emotional, social, and physical growth and maturation.  Performs complex professional work, while counseling and motivating students in a safe and caring college-preparatory learning environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Counsel an assigned, diverse caseload of Upper School students grades 9-12 and their parents, adapting counseling practice with each to establish a rapport of trust, providing informed support in all aspects of college preparation, selection, application, and admission processes, including essay writing, and consideration of alternative post-secondary options including gap years and post-graduate years.
• Write knowledgeable, compelling school recommendation letters for each assigned student.
• Provide information and support regarding financial aid and scholarships.
• Conduct college counseling classes for juniors and seniors, class and small group meetings, and evening programs in all areas of college counseling.
• Counsel students on all aspects of standardized testing, including test preparation, registration, fees, accommodations, and score submission. Provide support for administration of standardized tests at USM.
• Collaborate with class deans, administration, school counselor, faculty, and student advisers to provide solution-focused programming to support students’ successful transition to college.
• Host and assist in coordination of college admission representatives visits to campus, both in-person and virtual, to enhance department knowledge of college options and educate representatives about USM.
• Assist in planning and chaperoning one overnight trip to visit college campuses in the Upper Midwest.
• Actively participate in professional development opportunities, campus visits, and represent the School at conferences and local events.
• Serve as liaison to Athletic Department in support of recruited athletes.
• Help create and maintain a supportive learning environment for all students that encourages social interaction, active engagement in learning, self-reflection and self-motivation.
• Participate actively in the life of the school and in administrative, departmental, faculty meetings and in-service events.
• Complete other duties as deemed appropriate by the Upper School Administration, which may occur on school holidays, evenings, and weekends.