College Counselor

The Village School is a private college preparatory school for grades Early Childhood through High School. Our High School offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma program and boarding opportunities through the Nord Anglia Boarding program. 

The Village School is an international community in Houston, Texas, providing a world-class education to our private day and boarding school students. We adhere to the highest academic standards, developing lifelong learners and global citizens who think critically, collaborate genuinely, and give of themselves generously. Ranked nationally for STEAM education and for the diversity of our international student body. Proud member of the Nord Anglia Education global network of schools.

POSITION SUMMARY / JOB GOALS:

To provide high-quality, student-centered college and university counseling that supports students in identifying and gaining admission to institutions aligned with their academic abilities, interests, goals, and personal circumstances. The College Counselor guides students and families through all stages of the college planning and application process, including academic preparation, college research, testing, applications, essays, recommendations, financial aid, scholarships, and enrollment decisions. The counselor promotes student ownership, provides accurate and ethical guidance, and supports applications to universities in the United States and internationally.

QUALIFICATIONS / TRAINING:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in counseling, education, student affairs, college admissions, or a related field.
• Professional training or certification in college counseling, school counseling, or university admissions is preferred.
• Strong knowledge of college admissions, application systems, standardized testing, financial aid, and scholarships.
• Commitment to ongoing professional learning and development.

EXPERIENCE / KNOWLEDGE:

• Demonstrates strong knowledge of United States college and university admissions.
• Knowledge of international admissions systems, including the United Kingdom, Canada, and Europe, is preferred.
• Understands academic pathways within an international school, including IB and AP programs.
• Experience supporting applications to selective universities is preferred.
• Advises students on course selection, academic preparation, testing, activities, and college readiness.
• Uses transcripts, assessment data, student interests, and family circumstances to provide individualized guidance.
• Understands platforms such as Common App, UCAS, ApplyTexas, and SCOIR.
• Understands financial aid processes, including FAFSA, CSS Profile, merit aid, and scholarships.
• Maintains accurate, confidential, and timely student records.
• Communicates complex admissions information clearly to students, families, colleagues, and school leaders.

ATTRIBUTES: 

• Holds high professional and ethical standards and models integrity, discretion, fairness, and respect.
• Places student wellbeing, appropriate fit, and long-term success at the center of the counseling process.
• Builds positive relationships with students, families, colleagues, and university representatives.
• Organized, accurate, responsive, and able to manage multiple deadlines and a demanding caseload.
• Flexible, reflective, and committed to continuous improvement.
• Encourages independence, resilience, self-advocacy, and realistic goal-setting.
• Collaborative, culturally responsive, inclusive, and committed to equitable access to college counseling.

REPORTS TO / EVALUATED BY: High School Director or designated school leader

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

Student Counseling and College Planning

• Manage an assigned caseload and provide individualized college and university guidance.
• Help students identify academic interests, career aspirations, personal priorities, and preferred college environments.
• Guide students in developing balanced and appropriate college lists.
• Meet regularly with students to establish priorities, monitor progress, and ensure deadlines are met.
• Promote student ownership while providing appropriate structure, support, and accountability.
• Advise students on course selection, academic performance, testing plans, extracurricular involvement, and college readiness.
• Support students in making thoughtful final enrollment decisions.

Applications and Documentation 

• Guide students through college research, application strategy, timelines, and submission requirements.
• Support the use of Common App, UCAS, ApplyTexas, SCOIR, and university-specific application systems.
• Review applications for accuracy, completeness, consistency, and overall quality.
• Provide guidance on personal statements, essays, résumés, activity lists, portfolios, and interviews while protecting the student’s authentic voice.
• Write accurate, individualized, and compelling counselor recommendations.
• Coordinate teacher recommendations and provide guidance to teachers as needed.
• Prepare and submit transcripts, school reports, predicted grades, school profiles, and supporting documents.
• Ensure all materials are submitted accurately, securely, and by required deadlines.

Family Communication and Education 

• Communicate regularly with students and families throughout the college planning process.
• Conduct individual and family conferences at key stages.
• Deliver presentations and workshops on college research, applications, testing, financial aid, scholarships, international admissions, and final college selection.
• Help families understand admissions uncertainty, affordability, and realistic college options. 
• Respond to questions in a timely, professional, and accurate manner.

Financial Aid and Scholarships 

• Provide general guidance regarding college affordability, financial aid, and scholarships.
• Support families in understanding FAFSA, CSS Profile, institutional aid, merit aid, and external scholarships.
• Help students identify appropriate scholarship opportunities and deadlines.
• Refer families to official university resources or qualified professionals when specialized financial advice is required.

University Relations and Program Management 

• Develop and maintain professional relationships with university admissions representatives.
• Coordinate university visits, college fairs, information sessions, and related events.
• Represent the school at professional conferences, university programs, and admissions events.
• Maintain current knowledge of admissions trends, policies, requirements, and institutional priorities.
• Maintain accurate records in SCOIR and other school systems.
• Track applications, decisions, scholarships, testing data, and university destinations.
• Produce reports and updates for school leadership.
• Support the annual review of the school profile and college counseling program.

Collaboration and Student Support 

• Collaborate with teachers, academic leaders, grade-level leaders, counselors, and student-support teams.
• Participate in meetings concerning academic progress, wellbeing, attendance, conduct, or graduation planning.
• Recognize when a student requires support beyond college counseling and make appropriate referrals.
• Support students in managing stress, disappointment, uncertainty, and decision-making.
• Participate in school events, professional learning, and wider Nord Anglia Education initiatives.
• Uphold safeguarding, confidentiality, inclusion, and the school’s values. 

VILLAGE BELIEVES THAT EFFECTIVE EMPLOYEES ARE: 

• Accountable – Accepts responsibility for individual and organizational performance.
• Strategic – Pursues continuous improvement aligned with the school’s vision.
• Collaborative – Works effectively with others to achieve strong outcomes.
• Entrepreneurial – Identifies opportunities and creates value for stakeholders.
• Enabling – Supports and develops others. Agile – Responds effectively within a changing and complex environment.
• Resilient – Demonstrates professionalism and sound judgment in a demanding environment.

This position description outlines the primary duties, qualifications, and scope of the role but does not limit the employee or The Village School to only the work identified. Employees may be expected to provide additional support where reasonably necessary to ensure student and organizational success. 

TO APPLY: 

Online applications need to be submitted directly through the Nord Anglia Education careers page and should include a CV.  

At Nord Anglia Education we are committed to providing a world class, safe, happy environment in which children and young people can thrive and learn. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our pupils irrespective of race, ability, religion, gender, or culture. 

All post holders in regulated activity (having regular unsupervised contact with children) are subject to appropriate national and international vetting procedures including satisfactory criminal record checks from both your country of residence/birth and any country of residence within the last 10 years. 

 We are an equal opportunity employer, and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons. 

Please note, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. 

Please note: we reserve the right to close any of our vacancies early.