College Counselor

Uncommon Schools is a nonprofit network of high-performing, public charter schools providing an outstanding K-12 education in historically under-resourced communities. We have proudly built schools that reflect our student population, with more than 60% of our teachers and staff across our network identifying as a person of color. Uncommon currently manages 52 schools serving 19,000 students in five cities: Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark, and Rochester. We are proud that Uncommon graduates persist in and graduate from college at five times the rate of their peers nationally. We achieve this by offering strong academic, co-curricular, and social-emotional learning that prepares students for success in college and beyond.

North Star Academy currently manages fourteen schools in Newark, NJ serving students in grades K through 12. We believe in strong authentic relationships between teachers and students, supported by effective school systems and an engaging instructional model that enables students to flourish academically and personally. North Star Academy is NJ's #1 highest performing public charter school and has served Newark families for over 20 years.

At Uncommon, our College Counselors work closely with students and parents to find the right colleges and universities to match their goals and enable them to achieve their dreams. College Counselors ensure aligned college matches for students regarding school community, size, location, student to faculty ratio, academic interests, financial aid, and extracurricular interests. The ultimate goal of the College Counselor is to ensure that each student graduates ready to thrive in college and beyond.

Responsibilities:

• You'll teach 11th and 12th grade college seminar courses in which you will guide students through the entire college application process. This includes (but is not limited to) exploring careers, identifying most appropriate post-secondary pathways, writing personal statements, building resumes, securing letters of recommendation, and applying for financial aid and scholarships.
• You'll build a culture of college and career readiness amongst all students by creating inspirational and instructional signage, advising students in the course selection process, and helping plan and execute events such as Career Day, SAT School Day, Senior Signing Day, College Acceptance Forums, College Visits and Alumni Day.
• You'll collaborate with parents and families to ensure a positive partnership by providing informational workshops and hosting individualized meetings.
• You'll continually refine your expertise by participating in Uncommon PD and attending regional and national conferences.
• You'll build relationships with college admissions offices and advocate relentlessly on behalf of your students to facilitate the admissions and financial aid process.
• You’ll support the planning and execution of various college visits and information sessions for students of all grade levels. 

• Passionate commitment to the mission of Uncommon Schools and investment in our vision for being an anti-racist organization.
• Prior experience working with high school students and families and/or within the college admissions field, especially in an urban setting with BIPOC students.
• Ability to take initiative, prioritize tasks, and work independently.
• Demonstrated flexibility, perseverance, maturity and ability to juggle competing priorities.
• Ability to communicate well with others and demonstrate strong interpersonal skills with students, parents, colleagues and community members.
• Skilled in using data to drive improvements in the college counseling process.
• Strong digital literacy, including Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, Naviance, and PowerSchool.
• Required Experience: 
  • Bachelor’s degree is required; Master’s degree preferred.
  • Minimum of two years experience in an urban district or charter school setting.

Our people are what makes us Uncommon.  We offer competitive compensation  and comprehensive benefits that support the personal health, wellness, and finances of our staff and their families.  

Compensation for this position: Most candidates who meet job description requirements will receive  an offer of $59,000-$67,000. The starting compensation for this role is between $59,000 and $83,000. The starting pay will depend on various factors including but not limited to relevant professional experience, education, certifications, and tenure with Uncommon Schools. To receive an offer at the top of the range, candidates will need significant experience in a directly aligned role. Because we value staff tenure in a role, we do not currently cap salary ranges for current staff 

Other Benefits:

• Generous paid time off inclusive of sick time and school breaks (spring, winter, and summer) + additional sustainability half days throughout the school year
• Extensive, best-in-class training and development  
• Choice of 3 comprehensive health insurance plans
• Pre-tax flexible spending and health saving accounts
• Financial planning & wellness
  • New Jersey Pension program
  • 529 college savings program
  • Public Service Loan Forgiveness application assistance
  • Financial  planning tools and assistance
• Dependent Care FSA, back up childcare and daycare discounts
• Paid leave of absence 
  • Fully paid parental leave
  • Fully paid medical leave
  • Additional paid Short Term and Long Term Disability insurance 
• Mental health and counseling support + wellness benefits

Uncommon believes in the importance of being a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization that enables our students and staff to thrive. We are committed to building an exceptional team that reflects the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our students. We also strive to ensure an inclusive community by creating a space for meaningful dialogue about issues of race and identity for our staff and students. As an equal opportunity employer, Uncommon 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. We also ensure that individuals with disabilities receive all privileges and benefits associated with employment and are provided reasonable accommodations for the interview process and to perform core job functions. If you would like to request an accommodation, please email [email protected].