Career Center

Sequoyah School, an independent school founded in Pasadena, California in 1958, launched an innovative high school program in September of 2016. As an extension of our K-8 program, students are guided through the deep intellectual exploration of content following a student-centered, project-based pedagogy that offers relevant contexts for exploration and opportunities for application. Furthermore, the high school program builds upon the changemaking work practiced in the K-8 program by offering a program for Social Innovation. Finally, Field Studies is a hallmark of a Sequoyah education that extends interdisciplinary teaching and learning as students and teachers travel around California, the Southwest and Pacific Northwest, and Latin America to explore the natural world and engage with a variety of communities. 

We are currently accepting applications for July 2023

11-month position (August 1st - June 30th)

Reports to: High School Director

Supervises: College Counseling Administrative Assistant

College Counseling Responsibilities:

Sequoyah School seeks a Director of College Counseling to join the administrative team, and lead an educational post-secondary and college search process for both students and parents. Sequoyah’s Class of 2024 includes 41 seniors, with high school enrollment growth moving toward 50 students in each class. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Program leadership  
• In partnership with the High School Director and Head of School, advance the mission-aligned philosophy, goals, and vision of the school and college counseling program, including but not limited to advancing the school’s work on the Mastery Transcript.
• Advance program evaluation practices, including the use of data.
• Stay informed of trends in college admissions and keep the HS Director and HoS informed.
• Participate in the ongoing development of the high school program, providing leadership to help program leaders (e.g., Department Chairs) make informed decisions that consider post-secondary opportunities.
• Consider and create opportunities to centralize diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the college inquiry, application, and admissions process, in design and demonstration.  
• Develop and manage the annual College Counseling budget.

• Program delivery
• Oversee the college admissions process for all high school students, including the day-to-day needs of students, parents, teachers, and supporting staff.
• Advise students and their parents individually and in groups, regarding college selection, application, and admission procedures, with a focus on fit.
• Write detailed letters of recommendation for seniors.
• Oversee the timely completion of faculty recommendations for students applying to college; provide faculty with appropriate training for writing effective letters.
• Advise students on course selection and the consequences of those choices in the college selection process.
• Plan and execute all college counseling events.
• Work with the UC/CSU admissions office to determine eligibility for students.

• Communication

• Provide timely updates to the HS Director and HoS, including updates on individual students and program statistics.
• Provide parent education opportunities throughout the year for all grade-levels.
• Represent the school at various events, such as the New Student/Parent Orientation, parent coffees, and meetings with prospective families.
• Develop the School Profile in collaboration with the Director of Communications and HS Director.
• Collaborate with the Director of Communications on other outward facing school materials.
  
  

• Relationships

• Support the work of the College Office Administrative Assistant.
• Participate in the life of the school, including but not limited to being present on campus, attending meetings, visiting classes and other sports and activities in an effort to develop relationships and get to know the student experience.
• Establish and maintain connections with college representatives to advocate for applicants.
• Oversee visits to colleges and visits from college representatives.
• Represent the school at relevant conferences and workshops.
  
  

• Miscellaneous 

• Attend the regular meetings of the high school administrative team. 
• Oversee the standardized testing (PSAT) calendar for students (if applicable).
• Participate in committee work.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the HS Director or Head of School.
• Maintain strong, professional relationships with colleagues in an environment where listening, critical thought, respectful debate, and compromise are welcomed and essential.
• Engage in ongoing professional development and participate in college admissions organizations, including NACAC, WACAC, MTC, and LAISCC, and stay informed about changes to the college admissions and financial aid trends, policies, and practices. 
• Ensure that the school maintains eligibility with appropriate institutions, e.g. NCAA
• Participate in one school Field Studies trip per year.

Qualifications

Qualified candidates must have a minimum of 5 years experience in college counseling or college admissions, and demonstrate success working with teams, as well as a diverse group of students and parents. 

Additional qualifications include:

• A Bachelor's degree; Advanced degree preferred
• A minimum of five years working in college admissions, experience in high school counseling preferred 
• Experience with college financial aid programs and processes
• Familiarity with and disposition/orientation toward progressive approaches to college admissions 
• Expertise in college admissions trends and a strong, current working knowledge of the landscape of colleges and universities
• Experience with SCOIR, Naviance, or related college admissions software/database
• Experience with the Mastery Transcript Consortium
• Demonstrated success working with a diverse population of teenagers and families, including first-generation college applicants
• Strong interpersonal and writing skills
• Effective presentational skills
• Demonstrated history of commitment to inclusive and equitable practices in a school setting 

Sequoyah has a rich history of diversity and seeks candidates to enhance that tradition. Sequoyah offers competitive salary and benefits.  The anticipated salary range the School reasonably expects to pay candidates for this position is $110,000-$135,000, depending on factors such as experience or education.

For more information about Sequoyah School and our hiring process, please see our website at www.sequoyahschool.org. Sequoyah School is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any phase of employment. We consider applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, or any other legally protected status.

To apply, interested candidates should send a résumé and cover letter to hsrecruitment@sequoyahschool.org.

About Sequoyah School

A progressive, K-12, independent school based in Pasadena, California.

Connections working at Sequoyah School