Stone Ridge is seeking an Upper School College Counselor/Assistant Director of College Counseling with a fairly flexible start date. This is a full-time, 10-month position, and reports to the Director of College Counseling.

Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart, a member of the International Network of Sacred Heart
Schools, is a Catholic, independent college preparatory school for girls, Grades 1-12, with a
co-educational Early Childhood program, Pre-Kindergarten, and Kindergarten in Bethesda,
Maryland. With over 750 students, and rooted in the Goals of Sacred Heart education, Stone Ridge inspires young women to lead and serve, through lives of purpose that integrate faith, intellect, social action, community, and personal growth in an atmosphere of wise freedom.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic team of the Director and Associate Director of College Counseling. We are seeking someone who is engaging, organized, and who will work well in an intense, fast-paced office environment where camaraderie is highly valued.

The College Counselor/Assistant Director of College Counseling works under the direction of the Director of College Counseling, guiding the students of each year’s graduating class through the process of transitioning to postsecondary education. The College Counselor/Assistant Director will work with both families and students in alignment with the Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart Education. The College Counselor/Assistant Director meets regularly with parents/guardians about their student’s college application process, meets with students during both junior and senior years, and maintains relationships with colleges and universities to support student placements and to facilitate advocacy phone calls when appropriate. Attendance and participation in national and regional conferences, professional organizations, and education forums is required. The College Counselor/Assistant Director attends all faculty and employee meetings and fulfills other duties as needed.

Responsibilities include:

• Guiding approximately 35-40 juniors and 35-40 seniors through the college process.
• Overseeing the progress of college selections for students from prospective to final lists.
• Providing information and guidance to students and parents/guardians about the college process, including finding a balanced list of colleges, assisting with college application completion, and helping with financial aid documents and deadlines.
• Writing supportive, detailed, highly individualized counselor recommendations.
• Managing all school forms for student applications, such as profiles, transcripts, letters of recommendation, etc.
• Working closely with the Head of Upper School and the academic advisement team on student course selection.
• Collaborating on and teaching the college counseling curriculum in the classroom to juniors and seniors.
• Meeting individually with students and parents/guardians during the junior and senior years to advise on the college search and application process.
• Maintaining relationships with colleges and universities to support student placements.
• Attending occasional evening and weekend work with college application workshops, college presentations, and college entrance exams.
• Presenting to groups of students and parents on the college search and application process.
• Traveling to visit colleges and attending national and regional conferences.
• Assisting in the planning and implementation of events such as College Day in the District, College Nights with students/parents/guardians, Application Workshops, College Fairs, etc.
• Co-leading an advisory of 8-10 students.
• Engaging in our school-wide, bi-weekly Social Action Program.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Two or more years of relevant experience in either college counseling or college admissions
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Exceptional organization, attention to detail, and follow through skills
• Willingness to work as part of a team and to pursue and respond to feedback with a growth-oriented mindset
• Flexibility with time and travel
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Cultural responsiveness and an appreciation for how our students’ identities may inform their behavior and performance
• An understanding of the concerns and pressures of adolescents, especially as they engage in the college search and application process
• An investment in helping to build our community as one that is supportive, healthy, inclusive, and diverse
• Ability to juggle multiple priorities and responsibilities

Compensation includes competitive benefits and salary commensurate with experience.

Stone Ridge is looking for an educator who is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, and who has experience or interest in teaching in independent, Catholic schools, public, or charter schools. Applicants of diverse, underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Interested candidates should complete the application online, www.stoneridgeschool.org/employment. As part of the online application, please upload a resume, list of references, and cover letter addressed to Ms. Courtney Perna, Human Resources Manager, all in PDF format.