Director Of College Counseling

MISSION

We are The Kew-Forest School. Our community nurtures lifelong learners from around the world. Our educators inspire young people to think boldly and find their voices. Our students support each other and explore thoughtfully as they shape the future.

Director of College Counseling

Full-Time Position, July 1, 2024-June 30, 2025 (renews annually)

The Kew-Forest School, a PS-12 co-educational day school founded in 1918 in Forest Hills, NY, seeks an experienced and dynamic individual to serve as Director of College Counseling. Kew-Forest is proud to enroll an astonishingly diverse student body representative of Queens and New York City, including approximately nine percent of whom are international students. The Kew-Forest School promotes diversity in its hiring process and is committed to supporting its inclusive community by hiring culturally diverse faculty and staff to work with our equally diverse students, families, and employees. The Director of College Counseling reports to the Head of School and is an integral member of the School’s eleven-member senior leadership team.

The Director of College Counseling must have excellent communication skills and be motivated to work collaboratively with the Head and Assistant Heads of Middle & Upper School, the Director of Learning Support, and the Middle & Upper School teaching team. The ideal candidate will also contribute to the Kew-Forest program by teaching one section of a year-long course or coaching two out of three interscholastic sport seasons each year.

The Director College Counseling will plan, organize, lead, and execute all aspects of the college admission process at The Kew-Forest School. This is an important and highly visible role in the leadership of the School’s overall educational program. Enthusiasm, a strong work ethic, and impeccable organizational skills are key.

The Kew-Forest School is embarking on an exciting new chapter as it enters its 106th year of operation. In June 2022, The Kew-Forest School began the process of creating a new Campus Master Plan to reimagine and restructure the campus. Short-term upgrades to the school were completed last year, and long-term changes are being contemplated. The school is also at the half-way point of a , which includes goals to enhance The Kew-Forest School's student-centered program; foster school identity and community; support the people who inspire students; discover The Kew-Forest School world; and build a durable and sustainable financial future. These goals are aimed at ensuring that The Kew-Forest School will continue to inspire students through its next 100 years. The individual who becomes our next Director of College Counseling will be energetic, creative, imaginative, and thoughtful in their approach to supporting our students through the college application process and preparing them for future success.

Essential Functions:

• Meet the ethical standards of the college admission profession as articulated by the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC);
• Advise and guide a caseload of approximately 20-25 students per grade through the college application and selection process;
• Work closely with the Middle/Upper School administration to guide students through all aspects of the college exploration and application process;
• Help students self-assess and research higher education and other post secondary opportunities;
• Counsel students and parents about college options; disseminate college information to parents through scheduled presentations and individual conferences;
• Maintain a professional level of sensitivity to different family cultures and dynamics;
• Display a commitment to diversity and creating a culture of equity, inclusion, and belonging in approach to teaching and learning, as recognized and valued by Kew-Forest;
• Complete an online anti-bias training program in the first year of employment;
• Guide students in selecting the most appropriate standardized tests for college entrance;
• Review college applications and transcripts;
• Develop and write official school letters of recommendation for all seniors and communicate with college admission officials;
• Assist with all aspects of the college financial aid process;
• Host college representatives who visit Kew-Forest and serve as a liaison with college admissions offices throughout the academic year, helping them to understand and appreciate Kew-Forest students;
• Visit colleges and universities throughout the academic year;
• Attend national and regional college admissions counseling conferences and forums to stay abreast of current developments in college admissions and education;
• Assess College Counseling office operations, and reimagine methods, approaches, and programming;
• Share in the day-to-day life of the school community and furthering the school’s mission;
• Serve as on-campus standardized testing coordinator (PSAT, SAT, ACT, and AP);
• Coordinates team that plans and executes graduation;
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Head of School.

Desired experience and qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree
• 3+ years of successful experience working with students and their families in the college admissions process in either a secondary school College Counseling office or in a college admissions office; experience working in an independent school preferred;
• In-depth knowledge of Colleges and universities as well as a contextual grasp of the current college admissions landscape;
• A desire to work intensively and collaboratively with each grade of approximately 25 families, eagerly welcoming conversations and encouraging interaction among students, parents, and the College Counseling office;
• Experience counseling a range of learners;
• Intimate knowledge of the college financial aid process;
• Strong analytical writing skills;
• Strong public speaking skills and the ability to lead in events for students, parents, and colleagues;
• Active participation in local and national associations relevant to the College Counseling profession, including NACAC, College Board, and Association of College Counselors in Independent Schools (ACCIS), as well as interest in attending college tours and networking with colleagues in College Counseling and college admissions;
• Outstanding attention to detail and accuracy;
• Willingness to engage with and learn from people with diverse backgrounds and experiences;
• Commitment to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive school community;
• Eagerness to contribute positively to the Kew-Forest community and uphold its Mission;
• Ability to bring joy, kindness, maturity, and flexibility to the school environment.

Salary Range: $80K - $130K commensurate with years and depth of experience.

To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references to the Director of College Counseling Hiring Committee at .

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION

The Kew-Forest School believes that all persons are entitled to equal employment opportunity. The School prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, religion, color, creed, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, culture, background, physical or mental disability, or any other legally protected classes or classifications. No employee or job applicant will be discriminated against in recruitment, compensation, promotion, or termination practices.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $80,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work setting:

• In-person

Application Question(s):

• Please describe your experience with or interest in College Counseling at the middle and high school levels, or work in a college admissions office.

Experience:

• university or high school College Counseling: 3 years (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Forest Hills, NY 11375: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person