Assistant/Associate Director of College Counseling

Assistant/Associate Director of College Counseling
We are excited to expand our college counseling team from three to four full-time counselors!

Who We Are
Sierra Canyon School is a nonprofit independent, nondenominational, coeducational day school in the northern San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles. With an enrollment of 1200 students in grades PK-12, admission is selective. Sierra Canyon School is located on 42 beautiful, rustic acres and has two campuses across the street from each other: the Lower Campus for students in grades Pre-Kindergarten through Six and the state-of-the-art Upper Campus for students in grades Seven through Twelve. Students of color comprise 58% of the student body, 10% are international students, and students reside in 124 different zip codes. There are 520 students in the Upper School and 136 students in the Class of 2026, Sierra Canyon’s eighteenth graduating senior class.

Sierra Canyon School is an academically excellent college preparatory school committed to an empowering environment in which students realize their greatest intellectual, creative, ethical, and physical promise. We are defined by an energized, attentive, and diverse student-teacher culture. Sierra Canyon School is a special place to grow for the challenges of a fast-changing world.

At its core, Sierra Canyon School develops students who are as keen to realize their potential as their teachers are to inspire it. Our faculty prepares each student for a lifetime of learning and active citizenship. Academic and extracurricular programs encourage the broadening of student perspectives and provide an exposure to both the surrounding community and the wider world. Experiential learning opportunities form a healthy, challenging part of Sierra Canyon School’s program.

The primary responsibilities include:
• Work with a caseload of 30-35 students in each grade 10-12.
• Assist and advise students and their families as they move through the college research, application and selection process, including helping students build and finalize college lists, advising students regarding their applications, essays, and resume, etc.
• Prepare and write detailed college recommendations for every senior and summer program recommendation letters for underclassmen.
• Manage teacher recommendation submission process.
• Submit all supporting school-related documents to colleges for counselees.
• Participate in all office-sponsored programming, including presenting at each grade level’s College Night, Parent Coffees, and Class Meetings, and show enthusiasm for enhancing or reimagining programming.
• Assist in coordination of Valley Renegade Case Studies Night and separate College Fair.
• Write and send college counseling communications, maintaining regular communication with parents/guardians and students throughout the college admission process.
• Maintain office’s Instagram account with engaging and timely posts.
• Assist in updating the college counseling department’s publications, including the School Profile.
• Meet with college representatives (both on campus and through professional development opportunities) to establish and develop collegial relationships.
• Advocate for students with college admission Deans and Directors.
• Advise students regarding course selection and the course scheduling process.
• Advise students and families about scholarship and financial aid opportunities.
• Engage in professional development opportunities, such as visiting colleges and universities and promoting Sierra Canyon at regional and national college admission counseling conferences.
• Stay current and knowledgeable on all college related news and trends, nationally and locally.
• Help with coordinating and chaperoning Sierra Canyon East Coast College Tour.
• Engage actively in the Sierra Canyon community, attending art, performing arts, and athletic events.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications include:
• Bachelor’s degree required/Master’s degree preferred.
• Outstanding communication skills including writing, listening and public speaking.
• Proficiency in MS Office – primarily Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Experience working in a college admission office.
• Ability to handle a large volume and variety of tasks efficiently.
• A sense of humor.
• The flexibility to respond to the changing needs and duties of the office.
• Attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Anticipation of, planning for and meeting deadlines.
• Sensitivity to the emotional and confidential nature of the college admissions process.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Willingness to work some nights, weekends, and travel.

Desirable Qualifications include:
• Master’s/Advanced degree
• Proficiency in Maia Learning (College Counseling Platform)
• Knowledge of colleges, academic programs, admission policies and summer opportunities

This is a full-time 12-month position. Salary Range: $85,000 – $115,000 plus full benefits.

Interested and qualified candidates must send the following to Meredith Britt, Director of College Counseling – mbritt@sierracanyonschool.org. Please send the documents as 1 PDF file as an attachment.

• Cover Letter
• Current résumé
• Sample letter of recommendation
• List of 3 references with name, phone number, email address, and explanation of relationship