College Advisor

American Heritage Schools is seeking to hire a College Advisor. Positions available at our Broward Campus and Palm Beach Campus. 

POSITION OVERVIEW 

The College Advisor’s main role is to support students during the college planning and placement process, provide a successful transition from high school to college, and advise students concerning their academic plans and progress. 

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Assist students in the development of an educational plan, including choosing a program of study and/or clarifying educational goals.

  • Meet with each student and his/her parent(s) at least once during the junior year and at least once in the fall of the senior year.

  • Evaluate students’ abilities and interests through aptitude assessments, interviews, and individual planning

  • Help students navigate college and career readiness software

  • Inform students and parents of available courses and prerequisites and monitor the progression of their four-year plan

  • Create student schedules according to course recommendations and student requests; make schedule changes as needed

  • Communicate the importance of extra-curricular involvements such as sports, fine arts, clubs, and community service projects and opportunities

  • Communicate additional services and courses that will provide targeted support for gaining college admission, including but not limited to standardized college admission prep courses, Journey to College, pre-professional courses and internships, and specialized courses for building portfolios of work in non-core areas such as fine arts, multimedia, etc.

  • Write recommendation letters for each senior

• Develop a college search and application timeline with each student, including:

  • Goal-setting

  • Researching college types, locations, and programs

  • Creating a resume

  • Registering for standardized tests

  • Writing the college essay and supplemental essays that may be needed; reviewing and providing feedback on all college essays

  • Acquiring letters of recommendation

  • Completing FAFSA and other financial forms, including scholarship applications

  • Prioritizing and completing applications; reviewing all applications prior to submission

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge about American Heritage Schools’ programs and requirements, state requirements for graduation, and Florida state scholarship programs, including Bright Futures and NCAA

  • Meet quarterly with Curriculum Department to stay abreast of course changes and program features

  • Maintain up-to-date Bright Futures and NCAA information on the AHS Course Catalog

  • Meet weekly with Advising team for cross-training and cross-department information sharing

  • Review & Monitor requirements for Pre-Professional programs, Academic Scholarship & Fine Arts Scholarship

• Work with Accommodations Coordinator to ensure students with special needs are given information about seeking approval for standardized test accommodations from the appropriate testing body upon initiation of an ICAP (Individual Classroom Accommodation Plan) and for new students with an ICAP in place.

• Have an open line of communication with the Accommodations Coordinator to ensure accommodations are updated, communicated to teachers, and implemented in the classroom

• Conduct parent nights, events, classroom visits, and grade-specific assemblies following the AHS College Advising Curriculum, including but not limited to:

  • Jump Start, College Financial Planning 101, CSS Profile/FAFSA Workshops, Intro to Athletics/NCAA, Junior Workshops

  • College App Labs/summer assistance

• Establish and maintain relationships with colleges

  • Meet with admissions representatives frequently; host college representatives on campus

  • Visit colleges through AHS and college-sponsored tours

  • Assist with and attend AHS College Fairs

• Track and analyze data, especially percentages of students admitted to universities, types of universities, and scholarships awarded

• Monitor academic progress of students; analyze progress reports; determine eligibility and satisfactory progress toward graduation; identify current and potential needs or problem areas (e.g., study skills, tutoring) and refer students to appropriate resources for assistance; communicate findings to coaches and administrators

  • Work with students to develop skills, such as organizational and time management abilities and effective study habits; refer students to Academic Coaching and/or tutoring as needed

  • Collaborate with teachers, administrators, and parents to help students succeed; work as a team to develop success plans for students, especially those at-risk or low-performing; communicate academic probations

  • Inform students about alternatives, limitations, and possible consequences of academic decisions (e.g., adding, dropping, and withdrawing from courses); authorize course withdrawals, adds, and drops as required

• Maintain student files and records; document all pertinent student information; update student information system regarding changes to student status

SECONDARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Refer social-emotional issues to the School Counselor according to the AHS Protocols

• Show support for the school by attending events and providing support as needed

• Maintain one’s own professional development, especially regarding college advising

  • Attend NACAC/SACAC every other year

  • Stay abreast of updates regarding testing, including information from the College Board and ACT

  • Stay current with trends in college planning and advising

• Demonstrate growth-mindset by participating in AHS and outside Professional Development, including conducting PD for other faculty as needed

QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE 

• Bachelor’s degree, Master's degree or higher preferred, from an accredited institution with coursework in an appropriate field 

• Demonstrated experience in college advising, planning, and/or admissions 

SKILLS & ABILITIES 

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, staff, and the community

• Ability to maintain confidentiality 

• Effective interpersonal and communication skills (oral and written)

• Ability to adapt to and be a champion of change for the good of the organization

• Organizational skills, including managing time effectively

• Ability to utilize various software and hardware, including but not limited to College & Career Readiness programs, calendar and scheduling tools, word processing, etc. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Office

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

• Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times

• Stooping and/or kneeling

BENEFITS

• 100% free tuition for all employees’ eligible children *

• 50% discount for Summer Education for employees’ eligible children

• Free Summer Day Camp for employees’ eligible children while working over the summer

• Free early care & after-care for employees’ eligible children while working

• Yearly bonuses 

• 401K with partial employer match after a year of employment

• Health, Dental, and Vision insurance 

• Supplemental Insurance plans available

• Pet Insurance options

• Short-term & Long-term Disability options

• Life Insurance at no cost to the employee

• Affordable Company housing when available

* This benefit is based on space availability and the child's acceptance to the school.

OTHER

• Travel between campuses and/or college fairs as needed

Employee understands that other tasks or duties may be added or assigned from time to time, at the discretion of the administration. The School reserves the right to modify, change, or amend this job description at any time. This is not a contract of employment. If you are employed under a contract with the School, you should refer to your contract regarding specific terms outlined therein concerning the duration of your employment. This job description supplements your duties and responsibilities. This job description does not alter your “at-will” status.

AHS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the employer will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourage both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.