Associate Director of College Counseling

Position Title: Associate Director of College Counseling

Date Modified: March 8, 2022

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Reports to: Director of College Counseling

Overview of School: 

Sonoma Academy is an independent high school located in Santa Rosa, CA on a 34-acre campus, surrounded by 1,000 acres of protected open space, at the base of Taylor Mountain. Founded in 2001, it provides an engaging, challenging, and innovative college preparatory education and a supportive community for motivated learners from Sonoma, Napa, Marin, Lake, and Mendocino counties. The school currently serves 330 students in grades 9 through 12 and is increasing its enrollment each year. Of our 330 students, 31% self-identify as students of color and 6% of our students are international students. Our students come from 80+ middle schools, ensuring a broad mixture of students from all over the greater North Bay Area.

Our Mission: Sonoma Academy calls its students to be creative, ethical, and committed to learning. The school nurtures inspiring teachers and engages with the surrounding community, and its students communicate across cultures as they prepare to become leaders in a dynamic world.

Sonoma Academy’s Commitment to Diversity: We believe that learning occurs best in a connected community. Diversity, equity, and inclusivity are essential to an education in which all members of our community thrive. We are committed to cultivating a diverse community that is conscious and welcoming of difference, dedicated to investigating and advancing equity, and engages with our local and global community. If you would like to join us in our work, we would welcome your application. As we are deeply committed to having a staffulty (staff and faculty) and student body that reflects the rich diversity within the North Bay, we strongly encourage BIPOC candidates and/or educators from communities that are historically underrepresented to apply.

Position Overview: Sonoma Academy is seeking a full-time, qualified, experienced candidate for the Associate Director of College Counseling role, beginning August 1, 2022. This position reports to and collaborates closely with the Director of College Counseling to help guide students at Sonoma Academy through the successful transition to post-secondary education. To do so, the Associate Director of College Counseling must establish and maintain successful relationships with colleges and universities across the country and be an active member of professional organizations. Strong candidates will have 3-5 years of experience in a college admissions environment and/or college counseling office.

Responsibilities: 

General

● Reflect the mission of Sonoma Academy to the members of the school community

● Work collaboratively with the Director of College Counseling and members of the administration team

● Communicate effectively with administrators, staffulty, parents, students, and college representatives

College Counseling

● Manage a caseload of 40+ students, meeting with them individually and with families throughout the college process, as well as counseling them in making the best individualized choice for college

● Help teach SA’s college counseling course to seniors in the fall and juniors in the spring

● Advise students on course selection and its impact on the college selection process

● Support students in writing their personal statement, supplemental essays, and completing

college applications, as well as guiding them through the scholarship and financial aid process

● Write letters of recommendation for the graduating class and advise faculty in their writing of recommendations

● Inform students and families about admission requirements, test dates, deadlines, and important trends in college admission

● Facilitate student, family, and faculty use of Scoir, an online college database

● Help plan and coordinate the annual Spring Break college tour for students

● Help to administer PSAT and AP exams

Outreach

● Establish and maintain cordial relationships with college admission officers and keep them informed about Sonoma Academy and applicants

● Host more than 90 (virtual and in-person) college admission representatives on campus each fall semester

● Plan and coordinate regular informational meetings for families on topics related to the college application process

● Coordinate participation in Marin Case Studies program and other events with North Bay independent schools

● Represent Sonoma Academy in the following professional associations:

○ National Association for College Admission Counseling

○ Western Association for College Admission Counseling

○ Association of College Counselors in Independent Schools

● Willingness to visit colleges and universities

Other Responsibilities

● Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of College Counseling

● Assist the Director of College Counseling in updating the School Profile annually

● Attend Student of Concern meetings, if applicable

● Attend weekly faculty meetings

Qualifications: 

● The ideal candidate will have a bachelor’s degree; master’s degree preferred in school counseling and/or administration

● The candidate should have 3-5 years of prior teaching and administration experience, including in college counseling and/or college admissions

● The candidate should have some knowledge of independent schools

● The candidate must have excellent verbal and written communication skills, as well as be a deep listener who appreciates diverse perspectives

● The candidate must have demonstrated leadership and facilitative skills

● The candidate should possess strong collaboration and cross-cultural competency, and demonstrate a commitment to student well-being and balance, and to diversity, equity and inclusion

● The candidate should also possess outstanding interpersonal skills and a dedication to utmost confidentiality

● The candidate must have excellent organizational skills and be detail-oriented, as well as strong work ethic and high level of integrity

● The candidate should be high-energy, flexible, adaptable, and enthusiastic about working with young people

Work Environment 

This position operates in a professional, collaborative, office environment at a private, independent high school.

Physical Demands 

● Ability to see at close distances and view a computer monitor

● Works in a traditional climate-controlled office environment

Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter through this portal.

Sonoma Academy is an equal opportunity employer. Sonoma Academy does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Tagged as: High School