Assistant Director of College Counseling

Come join a committed, caring, talented community in delivering an exemplary and inspiring general and Jewish education. Together, we ensure a vibrant Jewish future through the growth of confident, compassionate thinkers who engage the world through Jewish values.

The Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School (CESJDS) in Rockville, MD is seeking full-time candidates to fill the position of Assistant Director of College Counseling.  This is an 11-month position with a start date of August 13, 2025. The ideal candidate will have experience in both college counseling and academic advising and work collaboratively as part of a college counseling team who support graduating classes of 75-90 students. The Assistant Director of College Counseling reports directly to the Director of College Counseling. 

CESJDS is nationally renowned for the quality of education in general, Jewish and co-curricular studies; for the community that has been created for students, families, faculty and staff; and for preparing students to lead successful and meaningful lives of purpose. Each year CESJDS graduates matriculate at an impressively diverse array of the nation's most distinguished colleges and universities.

Responsibilities

• Provide one-on-one college counseling to students, guiding them through all aspects of the college search and application process.
• Assist students with identifying colleges and universities that are a good fit academically, socially, and spiritually, considering both personal and family needs.
• Craft strong, supportive letters of recommendation for students. 
• Guide students to develop and refine their college application materials, including essays, resumes, and personal statements.
• Maintain strong channels of communication with families, providing updates on their student’s progress in the college counseling process and addressing any concerns or questions they may have.
• Organize and conduct programs for students, parents and college representatives both during the day and in the evening.
• Provide ongoing academic advising to students, helping them determine curricular paths that align with their strengths, interests, and college goals.
• Monitor academic progress, provide feedback, and intervene when necessary to help students meet graduation requirements and achieve academic success.
• Collaborate with faculty to ensure that students are placed in appropriate courses and receive any academic support they may need.
• Maintain a network of colleagues through membership in professional organizations at the local, regional and national level and visiting college campuses to remain current on issues and trends in college admissions.
• Serve as an advisor.
• Other duties as assigned by the High School Principal

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree with Masters degree preferred
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience working in a high school college counseling setting and/or in a college admissions office
• Exceptional writing skills
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills
• Skilled in use of technology such as PowerSchool, Google, and Naviance or similar products that assist in maintaining accurate student data as part of the college process
• Ability to work with a diverse range of students and families
• Ability to work collaboratively in a dynamic school environment

To learn more about this opportunity, and to apply, please visit https://www.cesjds.org/about/work-at-cesjds.

Work Environment

• In accordance with the School's duty to provide and maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards, the School has adopted a mandatory Vaccination Policy to safeguard the health of our employees and their families and the community at large from infectious diseases such as the flu, which may be reduced by an annual vaccination. This policy complies with all applicable laws and is based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local health authorities, as applicable.

The Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate all applicants without unlawful consideration of race, color, age, religion, gender, marital status, disability, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. The School encourages candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply.