Walnut Hill School for the Arts seeks an Assistant Director of College Counseling to join the College Counseling Office for the 2024-2025 academic year beginning in mid-August. The Assistant Director joins a warm and welcoming College Counseling team and is responsible for guiding students and families through all aspects of the college, conservatory, or gap-year planning and application and admissions process. The Assistant Director works with juniors and seniors as they explore opportunities for post-high school plans. The Walnut Hill college counseling process is rich in opportunities for students to learn about themselves, to develop critical life skills, and to find an environment in which they will thrive academically, artistically, and personally.

This is a full-time, 10-month, position during the school year reporting to the Director of College Counseling. Some local and domestic travel visiting colleges and universities is required.

All Walnut Hill faculty/staff are active and engaged members of the school community who are committed to collaborating and growing in their field, participating in school events and supporting students in their arts, supporting other faculty/staff members, and who have the ability to self-reflect on their own practice.

Responsibilities include:

College Counseling:

• Advise a caseload of 11th, 12th, and PG students and their families as they explore opportunities for life after Walnut Hill;
• Work closely with arts and academic faculty to support students' post-high school aspirations;
• Engage each student in a customized process of self-assessment and exploration;
• Provide guidance and feedback on application materials and essays, and help students navigate the arts-specific audition, interview, and/or portfolio review process;
• Write detailed letters of recommendation for each student;
• Submit supporting documents for student applications within specified caseload;
• Visit a variety of colleges and universities throughout the United States, as well as attend various events and conferences each year;
• Advise 9th and 10th grade students and advisors on academic planning;
• Assist with presentations for College Counseling curriculum, Admissions events, Family Weekend, Back to School Week, and other Special Events throughout the year, including select weekends and evenings;
• Coordinate on-campus meetings with, and serve as a liaison to, college admissions representatives;
• Maintain and disseminate information about standardized tests such as the PSAT, SAT, ACT, TOEFL, and IELTS;
• Communicate extensively with parents and guardians, including authoring detailed correspondence following each meeting;
• Organize and present workshops and events for all grade levels; and
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Administrative and Additional Responsibilities:

• Work closely with the Registrar and Admissions to collect and upload transfer transcripts into Naviance for 11th, 12th, and PG students;
• Act as the PSAT Test Day Coordinator for Walnut Hill, manage the digital PSAT offered on campus during each October for the entire junior class, including but not limited to recruiting and managing proctors, reserving and preparing test day classrooms, registering students, working with advisors on coordinating test day activities, working with the Learning Support Specialist for students with accommodations, and other duties and responsibilities required by the College Board for the administration of the PSAT; and
• Keep records of correspondence with parents and utilize School databases appropriately to communicate student issues.

Community Involvement & Engagement:

• Actively participate in the student community by supporting the Student Life program which may include serving as a faculty or club advisor, chaperoning School events, providing weekend duty (4 per year), or other opportunities for community involvement that arise throughout the school year;
• Speak authentically about the imperative for diversity, equity, and inclusion in schools; be committed to learning about and practicing anti-racist work;
• Attend student performances, art openings, and art events throughout the year; support and engage richly in arts productions, shows, exhibitions, and performances; and
• Attend Family Weekend, Open House, Class Night, Boar’s Head, Candlelight, Awards Ceremony, and Graduation; attend other events as required.

Collaboration, Professional Development, and Training:

• Work collaboratively with colleagues across all departments to foster a positive working and educational environment for students and employees to support the School’s mission, vision, and core values;
• Attend and participate in all faculty and staff meetings and department meetings; participate and engage fully in individual reviews and evaluations; be open to feedback and work with supervisor to set goals and expectations for the future;
• Attend and participate in all Professional Development (PD) days, training programs, orientation programs, benefit meetings, mandatory seminars, team-building exercises, and safety training/drills; and
• Pursue PD opportunities in and out of school; display willingness and ability to grow, learn, explore new approaches, and practice self-reflection.

Skills & Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required;
• At least 5 years of experience in college admissions, college counseling, or related field;
• Knowledge of colleges, their academic and artistic programs, admission policies and process, and financial policies and procedures;
• Familiarity with or willing to learn Naviance software; strong computer skills and proficiency with Google platform and Microsoft Office Suite;
• Strong collaboration and team-oriented working and leadership skills;
• Excellent interpersonal, written, listening, and verbal communication skills, and ability to work with a wide range of people;
• Ability to work independently and effectively in a changing, fast-paced environment;
• Ability and willingness to travel as needed;
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to multitask;
• Ability to handle highly sensitive information with discretion;
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering an inclusive community;
• Possess cultural competence in working with diverse populations and commitment to learning about and practicing anti-racist work;
• Capable of effectively responding to the needs of a diverse and engaged student and parent population;
• Experience with or interest in working with international students and families; and
• Interest in the goals, objectives, and mission of an independent boarding school focused on excellence in arts and academics;
• Share an educational and artistic vision that aligns with the core principles and values of Walnut Hill.

About us:

Walnut Hill School for the Arts, located in Natick, Massachusetts and 20 minutes from Boston, is an independent boarding and day high school offering a transformational educational experience designed for student artists in grades 9–post graduate. Walnut Hill combines a comprehensive college-preparatory academic curriculum with intensive, pre-professional artistic training in theatre, dance, music, visual art, and writing, film & media arts. Walnut Hill is committed to creating and enhancing an inclusive environment, and welcoming and celebrating a wide range of cultural, artistic, and educational backgrounds that compliments and supports our diverse community.

Commitment to the school’s Core Values, of Community, Growth, Excellence, Creativity, and Respect are imperative to the success of all Walnut Hill faculty, staff, and administration members. All Walnut Hill faculty/staff are active and engaged members of the school community who are committed to collaborating and growing in their field, participating in school events, supporting students in their arts, supporting other faculty/staff members, and who have the ability to self-reflect on their own practice.

Physical Demands

Physical demands include dexterity for office machine and supply operation including but not limited to writing, using electronic devices, computer, phone, calculator, copy/fax machine, and printers. Stooping, bending, traveling to/from locations on campus, ascending/descending stairs, reaching and sitting or standing for extended periods of time are common.

To Apply: Submit resume and cover letter through the Walnut Hill School for the Arts online Career Center.

Note: All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of state and federal background checks. Walnut Hill does not provide visa sponsorship.