Candidates will only be considered who follow the application instructions at the end of this description.

Director of College Counseling

Tandem Friends School, an all-gender, Quaker, 5th-12th grade independent day school in Charlottesville, Virginia, seeks an experienced college counselor to serve as our next Director of College Counseling. Position to begin on or before July 1, 2024 or possibly earlier dependent upon candidate availability.

The Opportunity:

A unique school with a unique history, Tandem Friends School of Charlottesville, VA is guided by the Quaker principles that define Friends Schools and has three school mottos: kindness and wisdom, creativity and integrity, and freedom with responsibility. Founded in 1970 as an inclusive alternative to the segregation academies that had proliferated in Virginia at that time, Tandem was the first school in the area founded as both coeducational and racially integrated. Over time, Tandem found Quaker schools to be kindred spirits and joined the Friends Council of Education, becoming a Friends School in 1996.

With approximately 250 students and spanning only grades 5-12, Tandem Friends aims to cultivate a school culture in which adolescents feel invested in their school community, feel seen and appreciated, and feel comfortable being their full selves at school. By encouraging the exploration of new activities and experiences and supporting students’ sense of community responsibility and belonging, the school strives to create challenging and engaging academic and extracurricular experiences that feel purposeful to our students.

In keeping with our ethos as a school, we are looking for a professional who takes great joy in working with adolescents and helping to guide them and their families through the steps that take them into higher education and fulfilling lives of integrity, creative expression and service.

Position Summary:

The Director of College Counseling is responsible for all aspects of the college counseling program.

Core responsibilities:

● Meet individually with juniors and seniors and their families throughout the college process, helping students and families select appropriate colleges and universities.

● Develop and lead upper school programming for students to educate them and their families about the nuances of the college admissions process.

● Support students in their submission of applications and manage the school’s submission of official transcripts, recommendations, report forms, and school profile, as needed.

● Write counselor letters of recommendation for each senior (approximately 36 students).

● Schedule and host college admissions representatives for visits to Tandem Friends.

● Counsel and assist students and families as they identify resources for scholarships and financial aid for colleges and universities.

● Manage PSAT, SAT and AP testing for students, including scheduling test dates, registering students, and administering exams.

● Develop and maintain relationships with colleges through attendance at conferences, counselor information sessions, and college visits.

● Participate in professional development to promote self-growth, build relationships, and remain current with programs, policies, and practices that meet the needs of our students.

● Lead and implement a week-long “Senior Week” to support seniors in all aspects of the college application process.

● Serve on the school’s Academic Committee and advise students, families and teachers regarding curricular and programmatic issues.

● AT TFS, all members of school administration are active community members who share in the general support and care of the school community and participate in schoolwide programming and activities, including overnight trips.

Tandem Friends seeks faculty and administrators who bring diverse skills and knowledge, a willingness to learn new things, and an appreciation for collaboration with students. Ideal candidates will possess:

● Significant experience in college counseling

● A strong working knowledge of current college admissions processes, such as admissions trends, approaches to applying for financial aid and scholarships, and the nuanced differences between standardized testing options

● Stellar interpersonal and written communication skills

● A high level of cultural competency and a demonstrated commitment to DEIJB principles and practices

● Excellent organizational skills

● The ability to respond effectively to the needs of a diverse student and parent/guardian population

● A Bachelor’s degree is required for this position; a Master’s degree is strongly preferred.

Physical Requirements:

● Daily desk work, including significant amounts of telephone and computer time.

● As part of daily routines, frequent walking inside and outside and managing stairs as part of general job duties moving around a large campus with uneven pavement.

● The employee must be able to work the standard week of Monday through Friday during regular business hours on campus, with additional hours required outside those hours to attend events and meetings.

Wages/Benefits:

This is a full-time, 10.5-month salaried and exempt academic administrative position that reports to senior leadership. Full benefits include a dental plan, a retirement plan, tuition remission, and a robust health insurance plan, including a school contribution that covers the employee cost. This position begins with two weeks of summer onboarding in early July; option to start earlier during current academic year based on candidate availability.

How to Apply:

Send a current resume, cover letter specific to the position and school, and a list of 5 professional references to:

Tim Viands

President, IndySchool Consultancy

tim@indyschoolconsultancy.com

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $50,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Flexible schedule
• Life insurance
• Paid time off

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work setting:

• In-person

Ability to Relocate:

• Charlottesville, VA 22902: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person