Mary McDowell Friends School is a K-12 college preparatory program dedicated to the success of students with learning disabilities. Grounded in the Quaker values of equality, integrity, and social responsibility, we cultivate a diverse community in which each student can reach his or her full potential. Our specialized teaching methodologies and challenging curricula empower students to become academic achievers, creative thinkers, and contributing members of a global society.

Mary McDowell Friends School (MMFS) invites applications for a full-time Assistant Director of College Guidance beginning August 2023.

Overview: The Assistant Director of College Guidance is part of a robust college guidance program. This professional provides students with proactive and highly personal support to match them with post-secondary programs, colleges, and universities best suited to their interests, goals, and needs and guides them and their families through the college process.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Counseling

• Provide comprehensive college guidance for MMFS students and families
• Write clear, personalized, and effective letters of recommendation for approximately 25 seniors and advise faculty in their writing
• Collaborate on lesson planning and co-teach college seminar classes to junior and seniors
• Effectively track dates for follow-up calls, appointments, and submission of materials from students to adhere to the steps in MMFS’s college guidance process
• Assist in assembling and recording relevant data on the college placement process
• Along with the Director of College Guidance, update workshop materials and co-facilitate workshops and webinars throughout the year
• Conduct regular student and family meetings

Outreach 

• Establish and maintain relationships with college admission officers
• Invite, schedule, and host college admissions representatives on campus each fall and spring
• Plan and coordinate regular informational meetings for families on topics related to the college application process
• Take advantage of opportunities to visit college campuses regularly
• Pursue professional development opportunities, including attendance at annual conferences in counseling and admissions professional organizations; represent MMFS in professional associations

Administrative

• With the Director of College Guidance, review, adjust, and expand the college guidance program each year
• Maintain updated MMFS college handbook and school profile
• Maintain SCOIR and utilize it effectively to support college guidance
• Participate in the life of the school  by participating in events that support the MMFS mission

Supervisory Responsibility

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Physical Demands

This job requires the ability to maintain the physical capacity required to navigate the school environment and ensure the students’ safety. It also requires the ability to open filing cabinets and bend or stand for long periods, as necessary. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines.

The physical demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

In compliance with NYC’s Pay Transparency Act, this position’s annual salary range is $98,000 – $114,000. Mary McDowell Friends School considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, essential skills, internal peer equity, and market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a 10-month, full-time position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with a half-hour paid lunch; faculty meetings occur every Wednesday from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand and will be scheduled in advance.

Travel

Travel to universities and colleges is necessary; attend conferences on occasion. Travel is scheduled with advance notice.

 Qualifications, Skills, and Educational Requirements: 

• BS required/MA preferred
• 5 years of special education, college guidance, or college admission experience preferred
• MA in Counseling, Higher Education, Special Education, or a related field a plus
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (especially writing)
• Strong organizational and time-management skills
• Sound judgment and discretion
• Strong work ethic and attention to detail
• An appreciation for Quaker values
• Fluency in Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, & Google Docs