Job Application for College Counselor at Democracy Prep Public Schools

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At Democracy Prep Public Schools, our mission is to ensure that every scholar is prepared to succeed in college and beyond—and to become active citizens who change the world. Our College Counselors play a vital role in actualizing this mission by supporting scholars through every step of their postsecondary planning process. This role begins in 11th grade and continues through graduation, ensuring scholars explore and secure meaningful college and career pathways that align with their passions, strengths, and long-term goals. The College Counselor partners closely with scholars, families, school staff, and external partners to guide students through the college application and financial aid process—while also advising those pursuing non-college pathways such as military service, vocational training, or employment. This position reports directly to the school’s Leadership Team and is integral to each scholar’s journey from high school to postsecondary success.

To be considered, please apply by August 31, 2025

Who You Are

Mission-Driven Postsecondary Champion: You are passionately committed to Democracy Prep’s vision of college success and civic engagement for every scholar, and you believe in expanding access to diverse postsecondary options.
Experienced Postsecondary Advisor: You bring experience in college counseling and/or college admissions and are well-versed in college application processes, financial aid systems, and alternative postsecondary pathways.
Skilled Communicator and Writer: You are an excellent writer who provides clear and compelling feedback on scholar essays and produces powerful recommendation letters that elevate scholar narratives.
Collaborative Connector: You build meaningful relationships with families, staff, and college representatives, and you connect scholars to resources and opportunities that match their goals.
Detail-Oriented Data Manager: You maintain accurate and timely student records, use data to inform guidance strategies, and continuously evaluate the effectiveness of your work.
Committed Educator: You are an organized planner and reflective instructor who is comfortable teaching postsecondary readiness courses and guiding scholars toward long-term success.

What You’ll Do

Lead Postsecondary Planning for Seniors: Guide a caseload of 12th grade scholars through all phases of the college and financial aid process, including list-building, application support, personal statement development, and scholarship applications.
Deliver a Rigorous College Readiness Curriculum: Teach the College Readiness course to juniors and/or seniors, delivering a comprehensive curriculum that prepares scholars for all aspects of the postsecondary journey.
Provide Individualized Postsecondary Advising: Meet regularly with scholars to offer personalized counseling that reflects their academic, social, and financial needs, including guidance on military, vocational, and career pathways.
Support Financial Aid Completion and Decision-Making: Assist students and families in navigating financial aid applications (FAFSA, TAP, CSS Profile), interpreting aid packages, and making informed enrollment decisions.
Manage Postsecondary Data Systems: Track student progress toward postsecondary milestones using internal systems. Analyze data to evaluate scholar outcomes and adjust advising strategies as needed.
Engage Families in the Process: Foster strong partnerships with families through consistent communication, workshops, and events focused on college access and affordability.
Write and Coordinate Recommendations: Craft thoughtful counselor recommendation letters and support scholars and teachers with the recommendation process for college and scholarship applications.
Coordinate College Entrance Testing: Oversee SAT/ACT preparation and administration, including SAT School Day logistics, registration support, and distribution of fee waivers.
Build External Partnerships: Develop and maintain strong relationships with college admissions representatives and stay informed about admissions trends and programs that benefit DPPS scholars.
Support Non-College Pathways:
Offer tailored support for scholars interested in non-college postsecondary routes, such as the military, trade schools, or employment.
Additional Responsibilities as Needed:
Support other school-wide initiatives and complete duties as assigned by school leadership.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or counseling certification preferred.
Prior experience in high school college counseling, college admissions, or a related advising role.
Deep knowledge of college admissions and financial aid processes; familiarity with non-college pathways is a strong plus.
Exceptional writing and communication skills, including experience drafting recommendation letters and supporting scholar writing.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and maintain accurate records.
Comfort using data systems to track scholar progress and inform decision-making.
Ability to build trusting relationships with scholars and families from diverse backgrounds.
Passion for educational equity and belief in the potential of every scholar.

Compensation

Salary is $70,000 - $137,000 and commensurate with your experience. Democracy Prep employees are provided with a benefits package that includes medical, vision, and dental insurance, 403B matching, parental leave, a smartphone, and a laptop.

Democracy Prep is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will not discriminate against an applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, or ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, veteran or military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, familial status, domestic violence victim status, or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances. Our mission is to educate responsible citizen-scholars who will change the world. We strongly believe that by building a DREAM team that represents numerous perspectives, backgrounds, and areas of expertise, we can achieve this goal together. This is a value we highly support and strongly encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply.

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College Counselor

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