College Counselor

Great Hearts Academies is a nonprofit charter management organization (CMO) that operates classical, preparatory, K-12 public charter schools. Our academies cultivate the minds and hearts of students through the pursuit of truth, goodness, and beauty. We currently serve over 30,000 students across our network and aim to restore excellence to American public education by expanding access to our liberal arts model.

About the Role

The College Counselor provides individualized planning and advice to students and their parents, helping them identify, apply to, and attend the college or university that best fits their interests, family goals, and financial circumstances. The role focuses on guiding students through the college application process, including workshops, one-on-one advising, and support with applications, essays, and scholarships. There is no crisis counseling or course selection involved, as the curriculum contains no electives.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver college workshops for parents and provide individual counseling on high school curriculum, college acceptance, and the application process.
• Prepare students for post-secondary planning through a structured college curriculum.
• Provide one-on-one advising on prospective colleges and assist students in evaluating their interests for college majors.
• Educate upperclassmen on the application process through group workshops and individual meetings.
• Assist students with college applications, essays, and scholarship essays.
• Process college application paperwork and write letters of recommendation for admissions and scholarships.
• Research and advertise summer study programs, internships, and scholarship opportunities.
• Facilitate the selection process for students nominated for summer programs or scholarships.
• Update the School Profile and other academy documents.
• Maintain a working calendar of events and tasks within the office.
• Coordinate and administer the PSAT/NMSQT to sophomores and juniors, and provide post-test counseling to develop individualized test preparation plans for the SAT/ACT.
• Serve as the school’s SSD Liaison (Services for Students with Disabilities) and coordinate information on college testing accommodations with the Academy’s Special Education Coordinator.
• Coordinate the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) test for interested sophomores, juniors, and seniors.
• Update and maintain college test statistics, acceptance data, scholarship tracking, and alumni information.
• Handle registrar tasks, including issuing transcripts for students applying to summer programs and colleges, as well as final transcripts for graduates.
• Assist with processing incoming transfer credits and serve as a liaison to the Headmaster for credit acceptance and make-up credits.
• Assist the Headmaster in devising remediation plans for high school students with failing semester grades to ensure on-time graduation.
• Maintain the school’s college counseling website, Naviance, and college rep visit site.
• Develop background information for the end-of-year awards ceremony highlighting each graduating senior’s plans.
• Collaborate with the Great Hearts College Counseling Team in Texas on various projects.
• Attend college counseling meetings, trainings, and national conferences.
• Chaperone college counseling events.
• Network with colleges, including travel to schools and hosting admissions representatives; participate in NACAC and other professional organizations.
• Consult with the Director of Academics as needed.

Requirements

• Experience in school college guidance or selective college admissions.
• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Deep knowledge of higher education institutions, including signature and honors programs, financial aid, scholarship opportunities, and factors influencing institutional fit.
• Ability to lead a compelling college admissions program for students and families, fostering informative, transparent, and supportive relationships.
• Exceptional writing, organizational, leadership, and interpersonal skills, with a receptivity to accountability.
• Strong work ethic, self-confidence, and proven ability to design and execute projects.
• Responsiveness to all constituencies: students, parents, faculty, administration, the board, and colleges.
• Eagerness to represent the school on campus visits, in NACAC membership, and in community programming.

Additional Requirements

• Must pass a fingerprint background clearance.
• Physical functions include standing, sitting, repetitious hand and body movements, bending, squatting, and reaching; may require moving or positioning equipment up to 20 pounds.
• Local travel within the Dallas metro area may be required; candidate must have reliable transportation and a valid driver’s license.
• Some national travel may be required for training, professional development, or conferences.
• Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a criminal history background check and fingerprint clearance in accordance with state requirements.