The Associate Director of College Counseling is a full-time position reporting to the Director of College Counseling and the Head of the Upper School. This is a ten month role with a requirement for some additional work days during school breaks, including summer. This position has a shared responsibility for guiding the approximately 120 members of each year’s graduating class through the transition to postsecondary education. As a member of a four-person college counseling team, the Associate Director has responsibility for approximately a fourth of the class and prepares a narrative letter of recommendation for each student assigned to her/him. The Associate Director will fully engage in the life of the upper school community, which may include advising, chaperoning, coaching, or taking on other roles, as needed.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide strategies, advice, support, and guidance to students and their families throughout the application process to make the best individualized choice for college. 
  • Manage a caseload of students and work directly with students and their families in the college counseling process. 
  • Advise students on course selection and its impact on the college admission process.
  • Meet individually with students and parents, as needed. 
  • Assist students in identifying resources for scholarships and financial aid. 
  • Write comprehensive narrative recommendations for students applying to college.
  • Help students and families understand their financial aid packages.
• Cultivate relationships with admissions professionals 
  • Attend professional conferences as budget and other duties allow
  • Visit college campuses
  • Meet with college representatives when they visit Potomac
  • Advocate for Potomac students with college admissions professionals
• Contribute to the collaborative team-oriented nature of the office 
  • Assist in adapting, adjusting, and improving the college counseling program each year
  • Prepare and present programs to educate Upper School students and parents on colleges and the college search process
  • Teach college counseling curriculum for students in small-group and full-class sessions.
  • Participate in events and educational outreach for both students and parents
• Regularly prepare scheduled communications targeted to each grade level for parents and students 
• Engage in professional development to stay abreast of current trends and hone skill sets
• Maintain a database of summer programs, campus fly in opportunities, and scholarships for juniors and seniors
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required with at least 3 years prior experience in college counseling or college admissions
• Successful track record working with students from first contact to college admission
• Outstanding interpersonal and organizational skills
• Demonstrated skill using technology (i.e., SCOIR, College Kickstart, Veracross, Google Platform)
• A strong work ethic, flexibility, integrity, and a willingness to coordinate efforts with others are expected
• Patience, a lively sense of humor, and enthusiasm for teaching adolescents and working with parents of adolescents is essential

In striving to fulfill its mission, The Potomac School seeks candidates of diverse backgrounds who embody our core values of courage, integrity, humility, perseverance, and respect.

About The Potomac School

The Potomac School is an independent K-12 day school located in McLean, Va. While we are a K-12 school, we are more accurately described as a K through lifetime experience. We nurture the development of our students as unique individuals and as contributing members of a vibrant learning community. Our school comprises four distinct yet interconnected divisions, joined through a shared mission, integrated curriculum, and deeply rooted communal ties. We enjoy the beauty and natural resources of our 90-acre campus, our athletic fields, woods, streams, and ponds providing a rare and wonderful setting for each student's educational journey. Mission: At The Potomac School, we believe that intellectual development, love of learning, and strength of character are complementary, and equally essential, educational goals. With a firm commitment to our core values and a rigorous academic program, we prepare students to lead lives of purpose, achievement, and generosity of spirit.

Connections working at The Potomac School