Associate Director of Secondary School Counseling

About Us

The Fessenden School is an independent day and boarding school serving 541 students in Pre-K to Grade 9 in West Newton, MA. The Fessenden School’s mission is to teach, nurture, and celebrate growing boys; cultivating each boy’s individual potential and developing in balance his mind, character, heart, and body in an inclusive and joyful community. For more than 100 years we have been committed to the education of boys, and our facilities, curriculum, and programs are designed with the necessities of boys in mind. 

Position Summary

The primary role of The Associate Director of Secondary School Counseling is to assist Upper School students and parents in the application process to secondary schools that are most appropriate to the abilities, interests, and educational needs of each student.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities (Essential Functions)

• Meet regularly with parents and students throughout the secondary search process beginning in the spring preceding the year of application

• Assist the Director of Secondary School Counseling in coordinating a search process curriculum for 8th and 9th graders, including panels and visits from secondary school admission officers

• Administer the SSAT on campus and facilitate SSAT prep classes 

• Attend school visits when parents are not available

• Collect and distribute school records 

• Advocate for students at the schools to which they apply and write recommendations

• Attend conferences and meetings

• Additional involvement in School life, including but not limited to, coaching, teaching, and advising

• Limited Summer responsibilities that may include planning, meeting with families, and administrative tasks

Schedule

• 10-month position during the School year

• 15 days of work during the Summer

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree

• 5 years of experience in an independent school setting

• An open and collaborative work style

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• A high level of integrity and a strong work ethic

• Discretion and the ability to handle confidential and sensitive matters appropriately

• Facility with Google applications including Google Docs, Google Calendar, Gmail, Google Slides, Google Sheets; facility working with databases, such as Blackbaud

• Successful completion of a criminal records background investigation

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree 

• 3 years of experience in independent secondary school admission

Interested and qualified candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and three professional references on Fessenden's Career Page.