Alliance for Catholic Education
JOB DESCRIPTION
Title: College Advisor / Testing Coordinator
Position: Part-time
Location: Donahue Academy, Ave Maria FL
Reports to: Principal
OVERVIEW
Donahue Academy is the parochial elementary, middle, and high school of Ave Maria Catholic Church, which serves more than 1,400 households through liturgy, evangelization, formation, education, and ministry activities. Donahue Academy provides a faithful Catholic, classical education, including a robust athletics program, to children from Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 12 in a tight-knit community environment. The College Guidance Counselor supports the school’s mission by collaborating with the School Counselor to organize and implement comprehensive programs for students, including but not limited to offering individual and group college advisory meetings for high school students, managing special events, scholarship processes, and electronic record keeping; and coordinating various standardized tests across all school levels.
RESPONSIBILITIES
• Identify specific academic and/or personal student needs and collaborate as needed with faculty and staff to prepare and implement the college advising program for Rhetoric students in grades 9-12.
• Keep abreast of college entrance requirements and of advising principles and programs; prepare and disseminate information and support for college planning, discernment, admission, and careers.
• Assist with college applications, recommendation letters, financial aid queries, scholarship searches and other student-oriented college advising tasks.
• Coordinate annual College Fair, Financial Aid Information Night and on-campus interviews.
• Maintain accurate student records and college advising database (Naviance).
• Maintain records of service hours; gather and disseminate information on service opportunities (X2Vol program).
• Prepare and issue student transcripts and records upon request for individual colleges and Common App.
• Manage Bright Futures scholarship applications through OTEES.
• Ensure that seniors meet eligibility requirements for graduation and specific honors levels.
• Coordinate the standardized testing program and assist students, teachers, and parents with test interpretation (PSAT, SAT, TerraNova, National Latin Exam, ARK Test).
• Meet staff development guidelines as set forth by the Diocese/local administration and pursue continuing education and growth through association membership in professional organizations.
• Collaborate with peers to enhance the work environment and support instructional planning.
CREDENTIALS, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE
• Minimum of Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in counseling, psychology, and/or social work with coursework on theories and methods in counseling, psychology of adolescence, career development, multi-cultural counseling, and vocational, academic, and career testing required. Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in education, college advising, student services, or related area strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of human development and adolescent issues, college admission advising and processes, standardized assessment instruments and applicable interpretation preferred.
• Strong written and oral communication skills; ability to establish and maintain positive relationships with students, faculty, staff and external constituents; strong customer service orientation.
• Ability to handle confidential material judiciously; perform job duties in a safe and efficient manner; well organized and self-disciplined; ability to work independently and in a team environment; ability to interpret and enforce academic policy and procedures; knowledge of Microsoft Office and general office procedures.
• Experience working with Naviance, the College Board and Bright Futures preferred.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
• Must be a practicing Catholic.
• Must be familiar with the classical model of education.
• Must abide by policies and procedures, in particular confidentiality, as set forth in the Diocese and Donahue Academy Employee and Family handbooks.
• Willingness to undergo FDLE Level 2 background check.
• Must demonstrate professionalism in conduct, demeanor, and work habits.
• Must have strong written and verbal communication and presentation, interpersonal, and multitasking skills.