William Penn Charter School is a Quaker, all gender, pre-K-12 independent, day school in the East Falls neighborhood of Philadelphia. Established in 1689 by William Penn and members of the Religious Society of Friends, Penn Charter is a community guided by Quaker testimonies and the central belief that there is "that of God" in every person. A school community that honors difference, Penn Charter seeks to be a place where diversity is understood, represented and valued. Our curriculum embraces a plurality of cultures and celebrates an array of voices, instilling in us a deeper understanding and empathy for individuals in this community and the world.

As our mission states, we value scholarship and inquiry. With excellence as our standard, we challenge students in a vigorous program of academics, arts and athletics. Through global connections, civic engagement and a focus on environmental sustainability, we inspire students to be thinkers, collaborators, innovators and leaders. We educate students to live lives that make a difference.

Penn Charter’s college counseling philosophy builds on the inspiration of the Portrait of a Penn Charter Learner by supporting students in developing critical thinking, research, and communication skills as they reflect on their personal aspirations for higher education.

Position Summary

Penn Charter seeks a full-time Assistant Director of College Counseling to begin January 2024. This is a 10-month position (mid August to mid June) and the new hire will join a four-person College Counseling team.  Applicants must possess a bachelor's degree (an advanced degree is preferred). Candidates must also have prior experience working in college counseling in an independent school setting or similar counseling experience in selective college admissions. 

The successful candidate will be familiar with the current landscape of college admissions and demonstrate a deep knowledge of institutions with a range of admissions selectivity within the United States and abroad. In line with the college counseling office’s philosophy, the candidate will understand and show appreciation for other factors that contribute to a best fit college community. They will create strong relationships with different constituent groups: parents, students, teachers, coaches, and admissions officers.  Candidates will also show ease with technology, experience with social media, and an openness to learning platforms like Slate, Naviance, Scoir, Canva, and Google Tools.

The new team member will display knowledge, comfort and confidence with public speaking and possess exceptional writing skills. They will model curiosity, as well as a desire for professional growth, and exhibit a willingness to work collaboratively with colleagues. Additionally, they will demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion both in their professional practice and in building relationships with all members of the Penn Charter community. Familiarity with the principles and practices of Quakerism and Quaker education is also desirable.

Essential functions 

• Counsel a cohort of approximately 30 students and families through the college admissions process by helping students discover their individual strengths, explore a balanced list of college options, and create compelling narratives
• Work collaboratively with the college counselors including operational planning, strategic planning, college programming, and on special projects, as determined by the Director of College Counseling 
• Advise students on standardized testing options
• Guide eleventh and tenth grade students through the course planning process with attention to student goals and wellness
• Write timely, personalized, and comprehensive letters of recommendation for all twelfth grade counselees
• Support families with the financial aid process and counsel on college affordability
• Present at college counseling programs and events planned for each grade year
• Enter data and contacts into Naviance with efficiency and to support office goals. Generate reports to inform the counseling process
• Assist with athletic recruitment and the audition and/or portfolio development process for interested students
• Teach a one semester junior college seminar and one quarter senior college seminar and co-lead an upper school advisory
• Provide tenth grade students with advice on the college search process in preparation for eleventh grade
• Lead and execute social media outreach to constituents
• Organize and execute the annual Gap Year Fair
• Stay current on admissions landscape and trends by actively participating in professional organizations such as PACAC, NACAC, and ACCIS, reading professional journals, visiting college campuses and hosting admissions officers on campus
• Participate fully in the life of the school including advisory, faculty meetings, chaperoning and other duties as assigned

Competencies

• Demonstrated commitment to the education and well-being of adolescents
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice both in their approach to the work and in building relationships with students and other community members
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Flexible approach and ability to organize multiple tasks and conflicting time constraints
• Ability to engage in reflective self-evaluation in the areas of leadership, performance and professional growth
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and collaborative working relationships with internal and external members of the Penn Charter community
• Ability to use standard office equipment such as personal computers, printer, scanners, copier and fax machines, calculator and telephone
• Proficient use of computer software applications (e.g., Google Tools - slides, forms, documents, calendar; Naviance, Slate) and agility with social media (Twitter, Instagram)

Physical demands

• Ability to walk, sit, or stand for extended periods of time
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at a time
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions

Required qualifications

• Bachelor's degree
• Minimum of 3-5 years experience in college counseling and/or college admissions 
• Some evening, summer, and weekend work required

Salary and benefits

• William Penn Charter School offers competitive salaries and comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents.
• William Penn Charter School is also a Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program qualified employer.

We will be collecting resumes until the end of June and begin our review process at that time. It is our intention to conduct semi-finalist interviews via Zoom in July and August and to host finalists on campus in mid September. Please note that the start date for this position is January 2024. 

Prior to hiring, we ask all potential employees to be vaccinated and protected from the life-threatening impact of COVID 19. At Penn Charter we have supported our community's efforts to eradicate the spread of COVID 19 by facilitating access to Covid-19 vaccinations for all current employees and eligible students.

William Penn Charter School provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.