Gatton Academy College Counselor and Testing Coordinator - This is a 10-month position that reports to the Assistant Director of Counseling Services.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide in-depth college counseling to classes of approximately 100 high school juniors and 100 high school seniors
• Facilitate student and parent workshops on college access and financial aid topics.
• Build relationships with college admissions personnel across Kentucky and the United States.
• Advise students in the financial aid process.
• Coordinate and administer college entrance exams and state exams.
• Develop a supportive community among students consistent with the Gatton Academy's creed of Integrity, Compassion, Respect, Equality, and Diversity through creative educational, cultural, social, and recreational programming.
• Provide leadership and supervision on Gatton study abroad trips.

Essential Functions

• College Counseling
  • Meet with students individually and in groups to support students in the college and scholarship application process.
  • Write official school recommendation letter for each senior.
  • Facilitate student and parent workshops on the use of Naviance, college fit, essay writing, and the college search, as well as other college access topics.
  • Schedule college admissions representatives' visits, facilitate meetings between college admissions representatives and students, and liaise with college admissions offices.
  • Plan and chaperone student trips to visit colleges across Kentucky and beyond.
  • Facilitate student and parent workshops on FAFSA, CSS Profile, comparing financial aid award offers, and other financial aid information.
  • Build supportive relationships with students and their parents.
• Testing Coordination
  • Coordinate and administer PSAT and ACT.
  • Coordinate and administer testing related to student graduation requirements such as the Kentucky Summative Assessment and Civics Exam, including working with WKU IT to accommodate online testing.
  • Serve as Gatton's KDE District Assessment Coordinator and Building Assessment Coordinator.
  • Monitor updates from KDE regarding testing requirements and ensure Gatton is in compliance with KDE protocols.
• Administrative or Managerial Functions
  • Compile data related to college access and scholarships, for example specific college acceptance rates and scholarships offered and accepted.
  • Work with a graphic designer to update Gatton's annual school profile containing all pertinent details about the current class.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Essential Knowledge and Skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of higher education admissions processes.
• Knowledge of higher education financial aid processes, including familiarity with the FAFSA and CSS Profile.
• Familiarity with Naviance.
• Experience with gifted and talented students.

• Bachelor's Degree in Education, Counseling, or related field.
• One year of experience assisting students with college applications and applying for financial aid.
• Must be at least 21 years of age and hold a valid driver's license.
• Must be willing to submit to a state and national criminal history background check.

Compensation and Benefits

• 10-month contract paid over a 12-month period
• Professional development within the Gatton Academy and the University at-large.
• Salary range of $36,500 to $40,000 annually, with benefits package including options for medical insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, retirement plan (KTRS or ORT), partial University tuition waiver, University Bookstore discount, and reduced-price membership to the University's health and fitness facility.

Kentucky state law requires all public institutions of postsecondary education to conduct pre-employment criminal background checks to determine suitability for employment.

Western Kentucky University (WKU) is committed to a policy and practice of providing equal employment and educational opportunities to all individuals. In accordance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Revised 1992, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, no form of discrimination or harassment will be tolerated at WKU on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, marital status, age, uniformed services, veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, or physical or mental disability in admission to career and technical education programs and/or activities, or employment practices.

Persons with disabilities, who need reasonable accommodations to participate in the application and/or selection process, should notify the office of Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action/University ADA Services (EEO). To request an accommodation, report/express a complaint, or ask questions regarding WKU''s Discrimination and Harassment Policy (#0.2040), please contact Mr. Joshua Hayes, EEO Director/Title IX Investigator/University ADA Coordinator, via email at joshua.hayes@wku.edu or by phone at (270) 745-5121.

The University is also required to investigate complaints of sex and gender-based harassment, also a form of discrimination, and has designated the Title IX Coordinator as the individual responsible for coordinating the investigation and response to such complaints. The Title IX Coordinator for the University is Ms. Ena Demir, who can be contacted via email at ena.demir@wku.edu or by phone at (270) 745-6867. Additional information regarding Title IX is accessible via WKU's https://www.wku.edu/titleix/ website.

Information concerning educational programs offered by WKU are provided at: http://www.wku.edu/atwku/academics.php