Description

Position: US College Counselor

Reports to: Director of College Counseling/Upper School Director

Supervises: N/A

Additional Terms: 12-month calendar, FT, Exempt, Management Team

Charles Wright Academy (CWA) is a co-educational, non-religious, independent school located

in University Place, WA. Charles Wright Academy is located on a beautiful, green, and

sprawling 107-acre campus that includes athletic fields and more than 60 acres of gorgeous

Pacific Northwest forests that also serve as an extension of our proper academic campus. Our

educational philosophy of experiential learning includes unique daily opportunities for wilderness

exploration, hiking, birding, wildlife observations, gardening, nature habitat sketch subjects for

art studies, local biological science exploration, conservation work, farming, and more.

The only completely co-educational, independent, and non-religious school serving students in

preschool through grade 12 in the South Sound area, CWA provides a challenging and

nurturing environment with college preparatory academics and robust programming that prepare

students to thrive and successfully launch into college and beyond. A wide array of experiential

education, artistic, athletic, travel, and service opportunities promote students’ social-emotional

development and provide students avenues to discover and pursue their passions. A culture

that values self-expression, appropriate autonomy, and exploration of their authentic selves,

students are nurtured, encouraged, mentored, and supported by a highly-qualified and

experienced faculty that share collective institutional values and provide engaging, active, and

joyful experiences for students each and every day.

Charles Wright Mission Statement

To inspire active, joyful learning while nurturing and challenging our students to develop the

character, creativity, and skills to successfully navigate the future with confidence.

Position Description

The Charles Wright Academy is seeking a candidate who has experience and preparation to

serve students in their college process that demonstrates cultural competence and values the

independent school model. This role sits on both the Management Team and the US Student

Support Team. We see a qualified candidate who will be enthusiastic, experienced in the fields

of college counseling and/or college admissions. A candidate who is organized, eager to build

relationships with students and families, technologically fluent, and a team player.

Responsibilities

While other duties may be assigned, a qualified candidate will be able to manage the key

responsibilities and tasks listed below:

• With the Director of College Counseling, deliver developmentally appropriate, dynamic, informative, and up-to-date college counseling programming for students in grades 9 through 12, with preview opportunities to the program in grade 8, designed for best outcomes in college and career readiness.
• Counsel, advise, and support approximately 60 – 80 students and families (distributed between the junior and senior classes) throughout the college search and application process
• Write comprehensive and thorough letters of recommendation for all seniors in caseload
• Ensure all supporting application materials for seniors in caseload are submitted to colleges in a timely fashion
• Maintain and update College Counseling portal page and parent/guardian website
• Assist with the coordination and scheduling of all on-site test administration programs (PSAT, mock ACT exams, AP exams, etc.)
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with college admissions representatives throughout the year
• Attend professional conferences and communicate with college representatives, updating them on the school, philosophy, curriculum, and programs
• Provide information and updates to college representatives about individual students, as needed, throughout the application process
• Collaborate with the Director of College Counseling on the creation and presentation of large group informational meetings for students and families and other stakeholders
• Represent the College Counseling Office in divisional meetings and various school events in addition to serving on committees as part of the Upper School faculty
• Track student progress towards graduation, including course requirements, alternative credit hours, and service learning requirements.
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred
• Four or more years of experience in the fields of college admissions and/or college counseling
• Depth and breadth of knowledge for the nuances of college admissions and financial aid processes required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 
• Be committed to Charles Wright Academy’s Mission, Values, Inclusion Statement and DEIB philosophy, and our Portrait of a Tarrier
• Communicate effectively (verbally and in writing) with others, including administrators, colleagues, staff, students, parents/guardians and college admissions representatives in order to develop and maintain positive and professional relationships.
• Complete work in a timely and thorough manner and be conscientious about assignments and deadlines
• Possess impeccable writing skills in order to describe students accurately, articulately, and skillfully

Physical Requirements

Stand and/or sit for at least 50% of the time

Communicate effectively with others

Lift up to 30 lbs.

Salary & Benefits

This position has a salary range $70-80,000, depending on qualifications and experience.

Benefits available are subject to plan and candidate eligibility.

Insurance: Medical, Vision, Dental; Basic Life, AD&D, and Long Term Disability; Health Care

FSA; and Dependent Care FSA may be available to employees, subject to the terms of the

applicable benefit plan.

Retirement Plan: CWA offers an employer and employee contributed 403(b) plan, up to a 7.5%

employer contribution subject to the terms of the plan documents and employee eligibility.

Vacation: Employees receive 18 days of paid vacation per year in fiscal years 1-5 and 23 days

of paid vacation for 6 fiscal years of service.

Paid Sick Leave: Employees may receive 116 hours of paid sick/wellness leave per year.

Paid Holidays: CWA offers 12 paid holidays per year.

Other Benefits: EAP (Employee Assistance Program), Tuition Assistance for employees

seeking advanced degrees, Professional Development opportunities, Child Tuition Remission

of 50% for those choosing to enroll at CWA, 50% discount of Extended Day child care services

and Summer Camp programming for eligible enrolled students .

Application Process

To apply, submit a cover letter addressing why you feel you are the right fit for this role at

Charles Wright Academy and how that aligns with both our Mission and Inclusion Statements

(both included in this posting). Please provide an updated resume, and email and telephone

contact information for 3-5 professional references (which must include your most recent

supervisor) wherever this posting may occur.

Applications for this position will be accepted until filled. No phone calls or inquiries, please.

Inclusion Statement

Charles Wright Academy best exemplifies its mission and values when everyone knows they

belong in our school community. We embrace an intentional culture that champions everyone’s 

full participation as their authentic selves in all of the opportunities that comprise the Charles Wright 

experience. This includes supporting each community member’s understanding of their own identities 

and acceptance of the identities of others. By doing so, we empower everyone at Charles Wright to 

connect, learn, grow, and achieve.

The inclusive culture we strive for requires us to make both institutional and individual

commitments. Institutionally, we will align policies, curriculum, and decision-making to this goal,

and we commit to ongoing self-examination, learning, and action. We also encourage and

support individuals to initiate and engage in candid, courageous conversations as this work is

the responsibility of every member of our community. (adopted by the CWA Board of Trustees,

March 2020).