College and Career Specialist

Job Description

Bishop Ireton High School (Alexandria, VA) is seeking a full-time College and Career Specialist to join our counseling team as an 11-month employee for the 2025-2026 school year. This position will work with students and families, in conjunction with school counselors, to support informed decisions about post-secondary opportunities and all aspects of the college process. This is an added position to the current BI counseling team (consisting of five comprehensive school counselors and a registrar), which assists students in making the most of their high school experience and preparation for life after it. Through short-term personal, social, and emotional counseling, academic advising, college and career advising, and by engaging with the school community beyond the counseling office, the Bishop Ireton Counseling team takes a holistic approach to this goal and seeks a qualified specialist to provide additional resources for college guidance within the increasingly complex and competitive college application process. The College and Career Specialist will report to the Director of Counseling. This specialist's work will complement that of the existing team members with a dedicated focus on programming related to college readiness and career development and will not include managing a student caseload.

Core Responsibilities:
• College Advising
o Maintaining expertise on current college admission trends and issues; maintaining membership in professional organizations (i.e. NACAC, College Board, ACT, etc.) and attending professional development to advance school programming.
o Organizing and maintaining materials for the BI college resource center (located within the school's student wellness center), including college scholarship opportunities.
o Collecting, analyzing, and using data to evaluate student/family needs within the college counseling process.
o Collaborating with the counseling team to develop grade-level appropriate informational programs on college admissions for students and families in grades 9-12 (which includes school day and evening programming).
o Contributing information related to college via school and counseling team publications.
o Facilitating on-campus visits by college admission counselors.
o Facilitating military academy application process needs for students, working with academy representatives.
o Working within college search and application software (Scoir).

• Testing
o Coordinating and executing standardized tests, including PSAT, AP Exams, and occasional Weekend SAT or SAT School Day needs).

• Communication
o Collaborating with the Director of Counseling, the counseling team, and various other stakeholders (administration, students, families, college admission counselors, professional organizations, etc.) on all areas of college programming and the college application and testing process.
o Building and maintaining strong relationships with top universities and colleges and collegiate admissions representatives.
o Upholding and exemplifying high standards of professionalism in fair treatment of all community members.
• Carries out other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:
• Possess a bachelor's degree in a related field; master's degree preferred
• Commitment to upholding ethical standards and promoting equitable college and career advisory services to a diverse population.
• Experience working in post-secondary and career counseling at a high school and/or in the admissions office of an undergraduate college/university.
• Knowledge of a wide range of colleges and universities; Additional knowledge on international universities preferred as well.
• Experience with public speaking along with the ability to communicate effectively with students and parents/guardians.
• Commitment to promoting the Catholic mission of the school.
• U.S. Citizenship, residency, or work visa required.

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter with three professional references, current resume, and written personal philosophy of college preparatory education in a Catholic school environment to Tina Becker, Manager of Administrative Services, at tina.becker@bishopireton.org

Candidates must be willing to undergo a background check and take required in-person Virtus training.

About the Employer

Bishop Ireton, a Catholic, co-educational, college preparatory high school in historic Alexandria, Virginia, began its proud heritage of academic excellence in 1964. The school offers a challenging environment and outstanding quality of life, both in academics and co-curricular activities, with a three-tiered focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), humanities and fine arts. The spirit of community service and giving back is central to the school's mission. Bishop Ireton's quality is reflected in its distinguished faculty and staff, who take great pride in seeing every graduate head to college - often to the most prestigious universities and service academies.