College Counselor

Responsibilities

• You'll teach 11th and 12th grade college seminar courses in which you will guide students through the entire college application process. This includes (but is not limited to) exploring careers, identifying most appropriate post-secondary pathways, writing personal statements, building resumes, securing letters of recommendation, and applying for financial aid and scholarships.
• You'll build a culture of college and career readiness amongst all students by creating inspirational and instructional signage, advising students in the course selection process, and helping plan and execute events such as Career Day, SAT School Day, Senior Signing Day, College Acceptance Forums, College Visits and Alumni Day.
• You'll collaborate with parents and families to ensure a positive partnership by providing informational workshops and hosting individualized meetings.
• You'll continually refine your expertise by participating in Uncommon PD and attending regional and national conferences.
• You'll build relationships with college admissions offices and advocate relentlessly on behalf of your students to facilitate the admissions and financial aid process.
• You'll support the planning and execution of various college visits and information sessions for students of all grade levels.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Passionate commitment to the mission of Uncommon Schools.
• Prior experience working with high school students and families and/or within the college admissions field, especially in an urban setting with BIPOC students.
• Ability to take initiative, prioritize tasks, and work independently.
• Demonstrated flexibility, perseverance, maturity and ability to juggle competing priorities.
• Ability to communicate well with others and demonstrate strong interpersonal skills with students, parents, colleagues and community members.
• Skilled in using data to drive improvements in the college counseling process.
• Strong digital literacy, including Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, Naviance, and PowerSchool.
• Required Experience:
• Bachelor's degree is required; Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum of two years experience in an urban district or charter school setting.

Additional Information

Our people are what make us Uncommon. We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits that support the personal health, wellness, and finances of our staff and their families. Our compensation philosophy values equity & fairness and attracting & retaining top talent.

Our Approach to AI and Your Application

At Uncommon Schools, we value thoughtful use of technology. Your responses should begin with your own thinking and reflect your authentic voice, experiences, and commitment to our mission. Generative AI can be used to refine or organize writing, but not to generate initial responses or replace your ideas. Every application is reviewed by a member of our Recruitment Team, and we are committed to understanding the person behind the application.

Compensation

Compensation for this role is between $72,000 to $115,000.

Starting pay is determined using various factors including but not limited to relevant full-time teaching experience, education certifications, and tenure with Uncommon Schools. Candidates without full-time Teaching experience will likely have a starting salary of $72,000.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off inclusive of sick time, paid holidays, and ~10 weeks of paid breaks (Spring, Winter, and Summer).
• Extensive, best-in-class training and development
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans + pre-tax flexible spending (FSA), dependent care (DCFSA), and health saving accounts (HSA)
• Financial Planning
• 403(b) retirement savings program + employer match
• Paid leave of absence options (parental, medical, disability, etc.)
• Mental health and counseling support + wellness benefits

*A detailed list of all SY 26-27 benefits is located HERE.

At Uncommon, we believe that a supportive and welcoming environment helps our students, staff, and community thrive. We are dedicated to building a team that brings a wide range of perspectives and experiences, reflective of the communities we serve---with over 70% of our staff identifying as people of color. Our organization values respect and open dialogue on important topics that shape our school culture.