College and Career Specialist (One Year Only)

Fairfax County Public Schools•West Springfield, MA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

In collaboration with the student services staff, advises students in grades 9-12 on post-secondary options, including college planning, career planning, scholarships, and financial aid; manages relationships with a wide variety of organizations, such as colleges and universities, military recruiters, local employers, nonprofits, scholarship donors, and community organizations; has primary responsibility and accountability for managing a student-centered college and career center with resources on a wide variety of information concerning colleges, technical schools, military, apprenticeships, employment, and gap year opportunities.

Requirements

Any combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor's degree.
Two (2) years of experience in an education environment, some which shall have been in college admission counseling, secondary school counseling, workforce development, post-secondary financial aid, or other related field.
Advanced degree(s) beyond the minimum degree requirement in a relevant field may be considered for some experience.
May be required to work a flexible schedule for evening appointments and walk-in services and/or evenings for planned events.
Knowledge of policies, procedures, guidelines, concepts, regulations, and practices related to college admissions and success.
Knowledge of college planning, scholarships and financial aid, career planning, workforce development, and career trends.
Knowledge of, or willingness to learn, specifics of colleges and universities, their academic programs, admissions policies, and selection processes.
Proficiency in the use of technology.
Ability to plan, organize, and implement programs, projects, and activities.
Ability to apply effective time management skills.
Ability to present information to groups.
Ability to work effectively with students, staff, and the public from diverse cultural, social, economic, and educational backgrounds.
Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with school staff, colleges, businesses, and community groups.
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in education, management, or human resources.

Responsibilities

Advises and assists students in the exploration and planning of post-secondary college and career options, including but not limited to, four-year colleges and universities, two-year community college and junior colleges, apprenticeships, technical schools, employment, military, and gap year opportunities.
Manages a student-centered college and career center with current information and resources on all post-secondary options, career exploration and planning, scholarships and financial aid, part-time jobs, internships, and volunteer opportunities.
Reviews, selects, and maintains college and career information from a wide variety of sources and makes this information available and accessible to all students.
Manages relationships and hosts admissions representative visits from four-year colleges and universities throughout the country and internationally.
Coordinates multiple visits and programs with local community college representatives; hosts information sessions, application workshops, and organizes field trips.
Performs a full range of professional duties required to support the school's scholarship program, which includes managing relationships with scholarship donors.
Advertises scholarship opportunities, creates the self-nomination process, serves on internal scholarship committees, and works closely with school nominees on final application and preparation for competitive scholarship interviews.
Plans and executes large-scale day and evening college and/or career programs to educate students and families; coordinates all logistical planning.
Communicates college, career, scholarship, job, summer, and/or leadership opportunities to the school community via electronic newsletters, emails, websites, and social media platforms.
Develops and presents college and career workshops specific to grade level on specific topics such as resume writing, essay writing, interviewing, and scholarships and financial aid.
Designs and delivers college and/or career presentations to classrooms.
Coordinates visits with military recruiters and other representatives and supports ASVAB test and interpretation dates.
Schedules visits from military cadets, school alumni promoting specific college programs, or other representatives from the community or businesses to promote career awareness and opportunities.
Provides guidance and support to students and families regarding paying for postsecondary education, such as supporting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process and/or the Virginia Alternative State Aide (VASA) application, as appropriate.
Participates in appropriate professional development, such as visiting college campuses and attending college admissions events and/or college admissions counseling conferences in order to stay abreast of the ever-changing field of college admissions.
Assists students, families, faculty, and staff with using the online college and career planning software and resources.
Performs related duties as required or assigned.