Assignment: School year plus five weeks in summer; full-time
Supervisor: Post-High School Counseling Department Chair; Assistant Superintendent for Student Services

There are two vacancies available for this position.

Position Outcomes:
Post-high school counselors at New Trier work individually with juniors and seniors in all aspects of the postsecondary process; provide group guidance to sophomores, juniors and seniors in their course caseload; maintain accurate information regarding specific admission processes and requirements of individual colleges and universities, as well as gap-year, employment and military options; serve as a resource for parents as well as students in the college and career process; and provide academic counseling to sophomores, juniors and seniors. Five weeks of fulltime summer work is required each year.

Qualifications:

Master's degree in guidance and counseling or related field.

Valid Illinois State Board of Education Professional Educator License with a School Counselor endorsement.

Experience in a high school postsecondary program.

Knowledge of special education postsecondary programs and procedures preferred.

Position Expectations:

Assists students and parents in understanding the admission and financial aid processes by providing access to current, clear, and concise information concerning the wide range of postsecondary educational opportunities available, entrance requirements, financial aid, curricular offerings, costs, admission and financial aid deadlines, and the variety of early admission and early decision programs available.

Assists students in the acquisition, evaluation, and appropriate use of information, including computer-based guidance systems such as Naviance, the Common Application, Internet-based search engines and college websites.

Encourages student and parent participation in college, career, and gap-year program fairs, admission and financial aid workshops, and related programs.

Assists students in selecting and registering for appropriate college admission tests, and interpreting resulting test scores and their influence in the admission process.

Assists students with developing a personal timeline or calendar for completing the tasks associated with the planning process for their future destinations.

Develops a strong working knowledge of the basics of financial aid.

Provides group guidance via public speaking engagements with parents, students and faculty.

Works with students and teachers in developing students' essay-writing skills.

Assists students with disabilities in seeking appropriate postsecondary programs.

Assists student athletes, fine arts, or other special interest candidates in seeking appropriate postsecondary options.

Assists students in developing appropriate interviewing skills and in understanding the purpose of the interview in the admission or employment process.

Develops productive relationships with colleges to assist them in understanding the nature of the school curriculum and the quality of New Trier students' preparation.

Plans college visits that will give the counselor firsthand knowledge of those colleges.

Advocates on behalf of students by writing letters of recommendation for seniors.

Works with the school instructional staff in understanding their role in supporting students as they make important educational and career choices.

Provides a supportive environment for students and parents, and works to eliminate or reduce unnecessary anxiety too often associated with the postsecondary planning process.

Assists students in dealing with difficult situations such as admission and/or financial aid denials and in developing alternative strategies should this occur.

Assists students and parents in preparation for the separation process that may occur with their postsecondary plans.

Develops an awareness of the ethics of post-high school counseling and the implications for students and parents.