College Counselor

CRSJ VISION

Through a culture of joyful learning, Cristo Rey San José celebrates and develops students’ unique gifts as they encounter God’s love and become leaders who shape society with and for others.

CRSJ MISSION

Cristo Rey San José is a Jesuit, Catholic college-prep high school where students of any faith commit to a rigorous curriculum and professional work experience. Students realize their inherent potential and prepare to complete a post-secondary education that will set them on a path toward a sustainable, fulfilling future. Through the Ignatian charism of cura personalis, students facing barriers to opportunity become leaders filled with passion, purpose, confidence and conscience.

POSITION SUMMARY

The College Counselor guides juniors and seniors through the college application and enrollment process, developing and implementing a comprehensive college counseling program for primarily first-generation college students. Reporting to the Director of Student Success, the College Counselor delivers curriculum, facilitates college visits and workshops, researches financial aid and scholarship opportunities, and coaches students and families through the college decision-making process. The College Counselor collaborates with School Counselors, College and Career Readiness instructors, and Student Life leadership to build a college-going culture across the school while participating in mission formation and student life activities.

PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND VALUES - VISION FOR EDUCATORS

Cristo Rey San José Jesuit High School educators will consistently work as a team to model and help all students reach the characteristics of the Cristo Rey San Jose Graduate at Graduation: loving, open to growth, committed to faith, striving for justice, and intellectually and professionally engaged. This includes:

• Personally modeling and simultaneously empowering students to live out Ignatian values of faith, service, and commitment to social justice   
• Guiding our students to understand what having a growth mindset means
• Promoting and assessing student ownership of learning by developing students’ self-discipline, study skills, persistence, and delayed gratification
• Fostering a school culture of respect, honesty, and integrity
• Developing meaningful opportunities for student leadership and growth of self confidence
• Creating opportunities for students to utilize complex reasoning strategies and problem solving skills
• Consistently engaging in work with positivity and adapting to student and institutional needs with openness
• Reinforcing professionalism and Corporate Work Study Program skills like precision and accuracy, computing, and time management

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES - ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Develop and implement a comprehensive college counseling curriculum

• Plan and facilitate college campus tours and college fair opportunities
• Schedule, promote and facilitate college representative visits to CRSJ
• Collaborate with College and Career Readiness (CCR) instructors to develop and deliver curriculum for both 12th grade (fall) and 11th grade (spring)
• Coach students in revision of application essays, personal statements, and college supplements
• Track application and teacher recommendation submissions to meet deadlines
• Write letters of recommendation (as needed) for caseload of seniors 
• Coordinate submission of school documents for senior caseload
• Review admission and financial aid offers with students and families to inform enrollment decisions
• Facilitate “family decision meetings” and lead college decision meetings with students and families
• Develop and facilitate College Counseling workshops to engage parents, including Sophomore and Junior Family Information programs and financial aid workshops
• Promote and support the summer enrichment and pre-college program application process in collaboration with School Counselors
• Responsible data management and tracking utilizing proscribed templates and software (ie. MAIA Learning, Google Drive, etc.)

Partnerships and Research

• Actively researches all aspects of college counseling: financial aid, scholarships, applications, and admission criteria with a particular focus on institutions that have a strong commitment to the success and funding of first-generation students. 
• Assists in updating student resources for scholarships and summer program opportunities 
• Participate in ongoing professional development activities (ie.WACAC, NACAC, JHSCCA, and the Cristo Rey Summit on College Success)

Collaboration

• Collaborates with School Counselors and CCR teachers on programs and protocols for meeting with Freshmen and Sophomores for college planning
• Coordinates creation of a college going culture with Director of Student Success and the Director of Student Life
• Serve as a moderator of student clubs and activities or a coach of athletic teams as needed
• Serve as a chaperone/leader of field trips, immersion experiences, overnight retreats, Christian Service opportunities, and other activities
• Understand and appreciate the developmental and educational benefits of the school’s Corporate Work Study Program
• Participate in the school’s Adult Faith Formation program, committing to living and supporting the Catholic, Jesuit mission of the school through continuous spiritual and personal growth and by serving as a leader of faith, service, and justice for our students

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:

Successful applicants will embody the mission-commitment, intellectual curiosity, openness to growth, and optimism that are central to the character of our team. In addition, they will meet or exceed the following requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree required, relevant Master’s degree or PPS credential strongly preferred
• Experience in college counseling and knowledge of the college admission and financial aid application process 
• Available to facilitate occasional evening and weekend programming, and college visits during some school breaks
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively communicate and build relationships with a wide range of individuals and constituencies
• Commitment to Ignatian Education 

PREFERRED:

• Fluent in Spanish (Strong preference)
• Knowledge of Student Information Systems (ie. Powerschool, Schoology, MaiaLearning)
• Prior experience working with schools or programs serving first generation college students like Cristo Rey Schools, Teach for America, Americorps, KIPP, Alliance for Catholic Education, or Nativity/Miguel Schools is a plus.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Stand or sit for long periods of time.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.

We understand that not all candidates will meet every qualification and believe that diverse experiences and backgrounds are valuable. We value potential and willingness to learn, so if you’re passionate about this role and think you would be able to excel, we encourage you to apply.

SALARY AND COMPENSATION

• Range between $71,718 - $138,287 on a salary schedule based on education and years of experience. Full time employees are eligible for the following benefits: medical, dental, vision, and retirement.  Employees’ premiums  are covered for medical, dental and vision at 100% and dependents at 50% if elected.  This position is eligible for enrollment in the group voluntary retirement plan – 403b. 
• Employment agreement is for approximately 10.5 months

To Apply

Complete application through application system on Cristo Rey website. Click on the desired teaching position to access the desired application.  https://www.cristoreysanjose.org/employment 

NON-DISCRIMINATION AND EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY POLICY

Cristo Rey San Jose is dedicated to both the letter and the spirit of the equal employment opportunity laws.  Employment decisions will not be made on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, marital status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), age or sexual orientation, military or veteran status or political affiliation. Employment decisions based on religious preferences and other religious needs may be made in accordance with applicable law.  Cristo Rey also prohibits discrimination on the basis of these protected classifications.