Achievement First (Teaching)·Connecticut
The College Counselor is responsible for guiding 12th-grade students through the entire college and career application process, including financial aid and matriculation. They also teach college readiness courses and build strong relationships with families and university admissions representatives.
College & Career Counseling for a Caseload of Students Support and guide all 12th grade students through each step of the college and career and financial aid application processes Using a data-driven approach, provide one-on-one college counseling to a caseload of 40-50 seniors through the admissions cycle including, but not limited to, creating a college & career list, writing and revising the personal statement, advising on financial aid, and making final matriculation decisions Ensure students take advantage of special opportunities made available to low-income students in the college search and application process (i.e. fee waivers, fly-in visits, university partner programs and scholarships) Ensure strong “match” and “fit” for each student, inclusive of college, CTE, and military pathways post-high school. Support informed decision making and strong transition planning through completion of enrollment/matriculation tasks to ensure a strong start in Fall after senior year
Teaching, Co-Teaching and/our pushing in to the College & Career 12th grade Course Teach and/or co-teach the 12th grade college & career course that supports the application readiness, submission, and decision making process Plan working sessions via lesson plans in partnership with the 12th grade College & Career course teacher Building Relationships with Students and Families Build relationships with families/caregivers and maintain consistent engagement and communication throughout the application process via email, phone or text (ParentSquare) Plan and lead workshops for parents on key topics (creating college & career lists, financial aid planning, preparing for the application process, etc. ) related to the college & career admissions process Ensure parents and students comprehend the different application requirements and deadlines, admissions policies and financial aid applications associated with different colleges Write and manage the collection of letters of recommendations for all seniors, including providing professional development and coaching for the Letter of Recommendation writing process for all teachers
College/University and Career & Technical Education Relationship Development Contact and meet with campus admissions representatives to build positive relationships and market AF and AF applicants Become familiar with the academic and social environments at the various colleges alumni are considering in an effort to recommend suitable matches Develop and maintain a robust network of college admission professionals through regular communication and high school visits from colleges and universities that best support first generation, low- income college students Understand CTE options regionally and make recommendations based on alumni results
College & Career Department Team Member Assist with the administration of the SAT assessments (PSAT and SAT) Attend and/or plan day or overnight college trip for students Work with other members of the school-based college & career team to ensure alignment of summer opportunities and collect feedback and respond to alumni data Assist with specific projects and areas as determined by the Dean of College & Career(based on expertise and knowledge base of college counselor). Additional duties as assigned Other School-Based Responsibilities: Participate in school-wide professional development, grade-level teams, and school-specific duties Support and participate in school-wide activities and programming
The ideal candidate for this position will possess the following: Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four-year educational institution Previous experience in either the high school counseling and/or college admissions field is required High School teaching or counseling strongly preferred Skills and Mindsets: Ability to work urgently in a fast-paced and results-oriented environment Ability to juggle multiple tasks and initiatives at once Detail-oriented and self-directed, with relentless accountability to deadlines, internal and external Strong analytical and written communication skills Initiator, problem-solver, and creative thinker Ability to maintain emotional control under stress Proficiency with all MS Office programs including: Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook An ability to work well with students, their families and the entire Achievement First Staff Belief in and commitment to the mission and core values of Achievement First Public Charter Schools Openness to giving and receiving frequent feedback Demonstrated ability to work on a team A dedication to learn, grow, and develop as a professional Compensation & Benefits Employees at Achievement First are provided with a competitive salary. Our salaries are set through a lens of equity, and based on an individual’s skills, education, and years of experience relevant to the role. College Counselors’ salaries range from $59,378-$77,462, based on experience. As a regular full time employee of Achievement First, you will be eligible for benefits that include medical, dental, vision, and life insurance as well as a 403(b) retirement benefit package with match and paid Family Leave.
Achievement First is an equal opportunity employer and an organization that values diversity. People from all diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. Spanish language proficiency is a plus. You can learn more about diversity at Achievement First here: http://achievementfirst.org/about-us/diversity/
Candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and possess previous experience in high school counseling or college admissions. Strong organizational, communication, and analytical skills are required to manage a caseload of students effectively.
Market context
In Connecticut, college counselor roles are typically driven by schools’ need for staff who can guide students through planning, applications, and postsecondary transitions. This role is competitive because it asks for prior high school counseling or college admissions experience, plus strong organization, communication, and analytical skills to manage a student caseload. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save time, then tailor your application to show direct student-guidance experience and readiness for caseload management.
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