Associate Director of College Counseling

Ethical Culture Fieldston School • New York, NY

5d • $115,000 - $125,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Ethical Culture Fieldston School is a progressive PreK-12 independent school that has been serving students from throughout New York City and the surrounding suburbs since 1878. ECFS offers a rich curriculum in the arts, sciences, and humanities. A co-ed, nonsectarian school, it serves an inclusive community of about 1,700 students on two campuses -- one in the Riverdale section of the Bronx, and the other in Manhattan. The Upper School, located in the Bronx, is comprised of approximately 600 students and 80 faculty members. The Ethical Culture Fieldston School has a long history of inclusion and belonging deeply rooted in our mission and the educational philosophy of our founder, Felix Adler. We embrace all aspects of an individual, including their ancestry, family, identity, culture, and beliefs. We affirm both our differences and commonalities and strive to balance individuality and community. In keeping with our progressive tradition, we are dedicated to increasing our students’ cultural literacy to help them understand multiple perspectives and see the world beyond the self. We expect members of our community to engage in open dialogue about living and learning in an inclusive environment inside and outside the classroom. We see this work, with its creative tensions, as a catalyst for individual and collective growth. On a daily basis, we are committed to making this vision of a democratic, pluralistic, and progressive school a reality. The Associate Director of College Counseling will serve as a member of the College Office in the Upper School. The Associate Director will assist each assigned student with a comprehensive college search process that includes but is not excluded to: helping students research colleges and coordinating college visiting trips, facilitating the financial aid process, understanding standardized testing requirements, and helping each student construct an authentic and accurate college application for submission. The Associate Director will serve as a visible and vital member of the Upper School with a res ponsibility to administer accurate and timely guidance while developing meaningful and authentic partnerships with Upper School faculty, students, parents and college admission officers. This is a full time position beginning July 1, 2026. The hiring range for this position is $115,000-$125,000. When determining the salary for an offer, ECFS considers factors including, but not limited to: the scope and responsibilities of the position, internal peer equity, key skills required for the role, the candidate’s work experience, education and training, as well as market and organizational considerations. Please note that this is an onsite role and is not performed remotely. Ethical Culture Fieldston School retains its right to modify job duties in accordance with changing operational needs.

Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred
• A minimum of 3-5 years as a college counselor and/or admission officer at a selective college admission office
• Comprehensive knowledge of the college admission process and financial aid requirements
• The ability to prioritize tasks, shift priorities, meet deadlines and remain flexible during a demanding fall and spring application cycle
• An interest in intellectual inquiry and ease in helping families manage the transition from high school to college
• Superior writing ability, strong organizational and time management skills
• A genuine desire to work with high school students and their families
• A high degree of patience, empathy, trustworthiness and decisiveness
• A commitment to cultural competency and to fostering an inclusive environment that supports students of all backgrounds
• A high degree of professionalism, stress tolerance, and the ability to manage conflicts is needed
• The ability to handle confidential materials with discretion while maintaining a high level of integrity
• The ability to identify issues quickly and problem solve accordingly, and to remain calm in stressful situations that may arise
• A high degree of energy, adaptability, innovation, creativity, and drive
• A commitment to building collaborative relationships with faculty, administrators, the student and parent community
• A willingness to learn and embrace new ideas and procedures and a consistent initiative to help streamline processes and improve efficiencies
• The ability to work collaboratively in group settings, as well as independently, to meet project goals and team needs
• The ability to be reliable and punctual with consistent attendance
• Proficiency in utilizing and learning new technologies ( i.e. , Google Workspace tools)
• A positive attitude and the ability to listen effectively and be receptive to feedback
• Reliability, punctuality, and consistent attendance
• The ability to cultivate a welcoming culture in which all members of our community feel valued and appreciated

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree preferred
• The initiative to study changing trends, analyze data, and present to various constituencies is highly desired

Responsibilities

• Writing letters of recommendation for assigned students
• Assisting with college research, application review and interview preparation for each student
• Advising students and families through course selection and standardized testing options
• Maintaining an accurate knowledge of the admissions and financial aid process and counsel families as needed
• Working collaboratively with the College Counseling team and Form Deans
• Assisting the Director of College Counseling with the coordination of the Junior College Symposium, Junior Parent Program, and other evening programs and events
• Traveling to colleges and universities over the summer as well as during the academic year for selected counselor programs and college visits
• Attending and presenting at local, regional and national conferences
• Identifying and prioritizing tasks particularly during peak cycles of the college admission process
• Cultivating and sustaining relationships with college admission professionals as well as secondary school counselors in partnership with the Director of College Counseling
• Leading efforts in data collection for admitted students as well as retention analysis for matriculated students
• Assisting the Director of College College Counseling with publication, resource library and website updates
• Effectively advocating for each student along with articulating the mission and curriculum of the Ethical Culture Fieldston School to college and university admission officers
• Guiding families through the college process with discernment, expertise and empathy
• Fostering positive relationships with team members and various stakeholders
• Motivating and inspiring the team and coworkers to achieve goals
• Maintaining a commitment to being knowledgeable regarding historical and current trends in financial aid and college admission
• Performing and assisting with other projects, initiatives, and duties as needed and assigned

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level