Associate Director of College Counseling

Administrator / Full-Time

The Governor’s Academy, Byfield, MA

The Governor’s Academy, the oldest boarding school in New England, inspires and engages inquisitive students in ninth through twelfth grade. Our 456-acre campus is located thirty miles north of Boston and five miles south of Newburyport, a classic New England coastal town. Govs has approximately 400 students and 200 employees. 

Govs faculty and staff are committed to creating and cultivating an intentionally diverse and inclusive community that allows students to learn from each other’s unique backgrounds and experiences, discover their passions, find and use their distinctive voices, and achieve academic and co-curricular excellence. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds.

Adults in our community are professionals who appreciate individuality, collaboration, and service to others— all so that we can go far together. 

POSITION SUMMARY

With approximately 110 seniors each year, The Governor’s Academy seeks an experienced and enthusiastic Associate Director of College Counseling to collaborate with the Director of College Counseling, one Senior Associate Director, and an Administrative Assistant. The Associate Director reports to the Director of College Counseling and is responsible for both supporting and administering a progressive College Counseling Curriculum. This is a 12-month administrative faculty position, including additional responsibilities unique to a boarding school community. Housing may or may not be available. 

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Support and present Governor’s student-centered college counseling curriculum to students in grades 9-12, both in large and small group settings
  • Collaborate individually with juniors and seniors to assist them in setting realistic college search goals, crafting a balanced college list, all while developing sound decision-making skills 
  • Collaborate with Governor’s faculty and staff on college-related issues and events, including our College Search Seminar Series, Family Weekend programming, and preparation for standardized testing
  • Support potentially recruited athletes through the athletic recruitment process, including facilitating communication with Governor’s coaches and students, as well as college admission officers and coaches 
  • Craft a comprehensive recommendation each year for approximately 40 seniors 
  • Help parents and families understand the college admissions landscape, including its influence on each student’s college admission candidacy
  • Remain current with college admission trends by attending national and regional conferences, visiting college campuses, and fostering communication with college admission officers
  • Commitment to working with students on financial aid and working with diverse populations
  • Must show a demonstrated interest and experience in creating professional spaces that reflect a commitment to a sense of belonging for all students and adults. 
  • Other duties as assigned 

Afternoon Program:

  • Participate in one season 

Residential Life Program: 

  • Dorm parenting or equivalent, depending on housing status.
  • Advising: Advisor to no more than 7 students beginning in the second year at Governor’s.
  • Weekend chaperone duties.

QUALIFICATIONS

Successful candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree (Master’s preferred), within a selective college admissions office (experience within a secondary school college counseling office is preferred), demonstrate exceptional communication and organizational skills, must be committed to working in a diverse school community, and express enthusiasm for communicating effectively with diverse populations; must enjoy working with young people within a progressive boarding school environment; must hold a valid driver’s license; successful completion of a CORI/SORI and fingerprinting check. Experience in coaching and/or playing interscholastic athletics, directing, and/or experience on stage in the performing arts preferred. 

SUPERVISION RECEIVED 

This position reports to the Director of College Counseling

WORK ENVIRONMENT

  • The successful candidate will be flexible, enthusiastic, hardworking, and responsible and will enjoy a very busy work environment in which they will meet many people on a daily basis.  
  • The Governor’s Academy is a non-smoking campus. 

STATEMENT OF SCHOOL VALUES

As an educational community, the Academy has an administration, a faculty, and a student body committed to learning. We pursue this commitment in a dynamic environment that fosters lifelong intellectual independence, responsibility, teamwork, service, and respect for others. We are committed to creating and maintaining a diverse and inclusive community that is physically and emotionally healthy.

In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, employment decisions at the Academy are based on merit, qualifications, and skills.

The Academy is committed to a policy of non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants and strives to promote equity in all areas of employment. The Academy is committed to ensuring that employment decisions are made without regard to race (including traits historically associated with race, such as protective hairstyles), color, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability, veteran status, military service, application for military service, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law (“Protected Characteristics”).  The Academy will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law. 

This commitment is evident in all aspects of our employment practices and policies, including recruiting, hiring, selection, job assignment, promotion, compensation, discipline, termination, and access to benefits and training.

Any employees or qualified applicants with questions or concerns about any type of discrimination in the workplace are encouraged to bring these issues to the attention of their immediate supervisor or the Human Resources Office. Employees can raise concerns and make reports without fear of reprisal.  Retaliation against an individual for making a good-faith report of discrimination is unlawful and is strictly prohibited by the Academy. Anyone found to be engaging in any type of unlawful discrimination or retaliation in violation of this policy will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.

The Governor’s Academy

Byfield, MA
High School
Boarding, Day
All Gender