HIGH SCHOOL COLLEGE NAVIGATOR
About Kennebunk High School
The mission of Kennebunk High School is to “Develop productive global citizens,” and we work collectively to live that mission every single day in everything we do. KHS is an exceptionally well-resourced and brave learning community unafraid to look carefully and adjust our practices to best meet the needs of each and every student we are honored to serve.
We’re working purposefully with nationally recognized partners to build a best-in-class School Counseling Department that helps every student achieve their dreams and successfully navigate the path to a fulfilling life after high school and beyond. If you are interested in being a part of something unique and special, are an innovator ready to rethink traditional School Counseling models, and are driven to lead the way in Maine and beyond, we invite you to submit your application to join our dedicated team.
We are an equal-opportunity employer and value diversity within our organization.
Reports to: Building Principal
Qualifications: We are seeking a dedicated, student-centered, and empathetic High School College Navigator to join our team. The ideal candidate will provide personalized guidance to students as they navigate the complex college selection and application process. This role focuses on building strong relationships with students to help them make informed decisions about their higher education journey, tailored to their unique needs and aspirations.
- Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree in a relevant field (e.g., Education, Higher Education Administration, Psychology) preferred
- 3+ years of experience in college admissions, college counseling, or a closely related field
- In-depth knowledge of college admissions processes, financial aid, and scholarship opportunities
- Strong interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to build trust and rapport with students
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Proficiency in college planning software and databases (e.g., Naviance, CollegeBoard)
- Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail
- Demonstrated commitment to staying current with college admissions trends and policies
Desired Skills
- Experience in motivational interviewing or coaching techniques
- Familiarity with various learning styles and ability to tailor advice accordingly
- Knowledge of college options for students with diverse needs (e.g., learning differences, first-generation students, military families)
- Understanding of holistic admissions practices
- Ability to analyze and interpret educational data to inform student guidance
Responsibilities
- Develop personalized college plans for each student, taking into account their academic profile, interests, and career goals
- Guide students through self-reflection exercises to identify their strengths, values, and preferences in a college environment
- Assist students in researching colleges that align with their personal and academic goals
- Provide individualized support throughout the application process, including:
- Crafting compelling personal statements and supplemental essays
- Preparing for interviews and college visits
- Developing a strategic application timeline
- Offer personalized advice on course selection to enhance college readiness and competitiveness
- Help students and families navigate the financial aspects of college, including:
- Understanding financial aid options
- Personalized guidance on completing FAFSA and CSS Profile
- Identifying scholarship opportunities suited to each student's unique attributes
- Maintain detailed records of each student's progress and outcomes
- Serve as a liaison between students, families, and college admissions offices when necessary
Competencies
- Coaching orientation: you create impactful individual and district-wide learning experiences
- District representative: you promote our strategies coherently and persuasively; you present our value convincingly and creatively and can defend it when questioned; you balance an aggressive approach with respectful boundaries
- Content mastery: you internalize fully even the most complex content; you can explain the issues confidently and answer questions accurately, comprehensively and instructively
- Relationship-oriented: you recognize the deep importance that relationships with colleagues and stakeholders play in our work; you build rapport and trust with others; you’re comfortable with and adept at navigating a diversity of personalities and work styles
- Role model: your performance inspires others; you embody the desired work ethic and/or approach that is required to achieve our district mission; others learn from the high standards you hold for yourself
- Active listener: you’re a strong, active listener; you can read body language and between the lines to pick up both on what’s being said and what’s not being said; you can identify the nuance of what’s being suggested, however obliquely, and articulate it strategically for others
Reasonable Accommodations: RSU 21 will provide accommodations to an individual with a disability, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or applicable law, who has made the district aware of their disability, unless doing so would cause an undue hardship to the district.
Terms of Employment: Salary and work year to be determined by the Board. Benefits information is available at https://www.rsu21.net/rsu-21-employees/human-resources/benefits-and-open-enrollment.
This position will remain open until a qualified candidate is secured.