University & Academic Counselor

EF Academy is an international day and boarding high school serving students from over 50 countries. EF Academy Pasadena opened in September of 2022, joining sister schools in New York and Oxford. EF Academy Pasadena currently enrolls 260 students and is on a growth trajectory toward 1000 students (700 boarding and 300 local day students) over the next many years.

EF Academy offers an unrivaled level of personal support and guidance to students, preparing them for success by working together to discover and develop their strengths and providing them with an academic environment that will see them thrive. The University & Academic Counselor (UAC) is a critical player in this support. Each UAC is responsible for a cohort of students and acts as a liaison between the student, family, home office, and campus in support of their academic success in our school. This role reports to the Director of University and Academic Counseling.

As a start-up and a boarding school, faculty and staff at EF Academy Pasadena are guided in their practice by specific professional competency architectures with four domains that define how to be and become inspiring educators, committed caretakers, courageous innovators, and relationship builders. Serving as a University & Academic Counselor requires a commitment to the school’s vision, a yearning to implement best practices in university counseling, and a fervor for individualizing students’ educational journeys.

This is a 10-month, exempt position. Most of the work is performed during the academic week and often during the academic day, however the nature of this role in a boarding school environment allows flexibility to meet with students outside of academic hours during after school clubs or evening study halls. In addition, all non-residential members of the UAC team support student residential life through some weekend and evening duties spread across the school year. This position includes optional on-campus housing and can be residential or non-residential. The base salary for this position will be paid on the faculty pay scale and range from $68,640 to $89,000 based on years of relevant experience and highest degree earned. An optional annual supplement of $5,000 is added to the compensation package for non-residential roles to compensate for the election to complete recurring weekend and evening duties.

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities in each domain, aligned to the EF Academy Pasadena University & Academic Counselor competencies:

Inspiring Educator

• Meet monthly with a caseload of 50 students in grades 9-12 and support all aspects of the academic and university counseling program.
• Provide individual student academic program planning for optimal course placement and graduation eligibility including scheduling and credit checks.
• Advise and encourage students to make the most of academic and extracurricular opportunities.
• Assist with PSAT, SAT, and AP test administration.
• Represent the University & Academic Counseling office at school events.
• Conduct workshops, group presentations, and college admission seminars for students in grades 11-12.
• Assist with college/university counseling programs (day and evening) throughout the school year.
• Host small-group and individual meetings with students.
• Educate students and parents about college/university admission trends, both domestic and international.
• Advocate for students through the counselor recommendation/referee letter, provide feedback on student applications, and assist in the submission of application support documents as needed.
• Collect, interpret, and maintain student records (i.e. transcripts) to ensure each student successfully meets all school and local graduation requirements.

Committed Caretaker

• Play a key role in creating a school-wide culture which places the safety and wellbeing of its students at the forefront.
• Maintain a proactive approach in the retention of students by ensuring they feel supported and best advised through collaboration with parents and EF Academy staff.
• Interview newly enrolled students to welcome, evaluate and support their transition to our school.
• Assist in planning and chaperoning college visit trips.

Courageous Innovator

• Commit to learning, embracing, and implementing best practices in student-centered, global education through the university counseling process.
• Advocate for the success of students whose learning journeys take them from all over the world to a progressive, competency- and project-based learning environment.
• Stay at the forefront of the college admission profession, anticipating changes and guiding students and families as they navigate a rapidly changing admission landscape.

Relationship Builder

• Continuously monitor the academic progress of students, meet with students on a regular basis, and update parents and EF Academy admission offices on the progress of students, communicating any concerns and helping to celebrate successes.
• Develop and maintain relationships with colleges/universities through attendance at professional conferences, counselor information meetings, and college visits.
• Schedule and oversee college representative visits to EF Academy.

Professional Qualifications and Qualities

• Bachelor’s degree (Master’s preferred) and prior experience in college counseling, college admission, or other student academic support roles (required).
• Experience with and understanding of U.S. and international colleges and universities: their academic programs, student experiences, and admission practices.
• Outstanding interpersonal communication skills; strong decision-making aptitude.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational, time management, and multi-tasking skills.
• Computer skills (including proficiency with Google Workspace and Microsoft Office) and experience with college counseling software, preferably PowerSchool and MaiaLearning.
• Able to demonstrate flexibility, reliability, and initiative in support of all school related activities.
• Ability to understand, adapt, and empathize with social and cultural diversity.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and to work with tact and discretion.
• Maturity and commitment to exercising sound judgment.
• Desire to work as a college counselor in a fast-paced and innovative school setting.
• Demonstrated ability to work and plan collaboratively.
• Ability to communicate effectively with all constituents in a school community.

Why you’ll love working here: Perks, Benefits, and more!

This is the most fun, high caliber place you’ll ever work. Ask any employee why they love EF (whether they’ve been here 10 minutes or 10 years) and they’ll probably tell you the same thing: it’s the people. When you work at EF, you join a purpose-driven, international and energetic community that thrives on continuous learning, fearless innovation and mutual support.

In addition, you can expect:

• Commitment to professional growth: robust monthly calendar of trainings and workshops
• Four weeks paid vacation your first year, ten paid holidays, and two floating holidays
• Exciting business travel opportunities
• 25% company match on your 401(k) contributions
• Market-leading medical, dental and vision coverage, along with options for life and disability insurance, legal and pet insurance
• Dependent care, healthcare and commuter Flex Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Access to fertility care and family-building support
• Wellness benefits including a yearly fitness reimbursement
• Frequent social and learning events, including access to our employee-run resource groups
• Robust Employee Assistance Program
• Tenure-based sabbatical eligibility
• EF Product Discounts (discounts on travel, international language schools, Au Pair program and more)
• Discounts at local venues and businesses
• Eligibility for our Workplace Flexibility Program: our pilot hybrid work model with up to two days working from home per week

About EF Academy

EF Academy is a leading private boarding and day high school, attracting students from around the world to our campuses in Pasadena, New York, and Oxford (England). At EF Academy, we prepare students to thrive academically, personally, and socially helping them build the confidence, skills, and sense of purpose they need to lead fulfilling, successful lives. With a focus on academic excellence, personal growth, and cultural immersion, we empower students to unlock their full potential and develop the lifelong skills they need to thrive in any future they envision.

About EF Education First

Some companies are in the Business of Technology.

Others are in the Business of Finance....Sports...Or Soft Drinks.

At EF, we're in a different kind of Business.

One that's a little less tangible, and a lot more important.

Because our Business, what we make, makes everything else possible.

We're in the Business of Understanding.

Between people. Between cultures.

For over half a century we’ve been the leader in international educational programs and experiences designed to foster such understanding. Through Language, Cultural Exchange, Academic Studies, and Educational Travel, we create the kinds of immersive experiences that challenge biases, open minds, and pave the way for a more understanding world.

You’ll find our 115 offices located in some of the world’s greatest cities, and filled with smart, driven people who push each other to be better every day. And yes, we have technology, we have finance, we even have sports with our own professional cycling team. But it’s what we do with it - Building greater understanding, breaking down barriers, and creating a better world...that makes all the difference.

At EF Education First, we believe that the world is better when people try to understand one another. Since 1965, EF has helped millions of people see new places, experience new cultures, and learn new things about the world and about themselves.