College Counseling (half or full time) John Burroughs School

About John Burroughs School

Founded in 1923, John Burroughs School is an independent, coeducational, college preparatory day school for grades 7-12 located on a 50-acre campus in St. Louis, Missouri. Burroughs currently has 660 students, 49 percent of whom identify as students of color. Twenty-five percent of the student body receives tuition aid.

Burroughs strives to instill the joy of living through active learning, integrity, and service to others. We seek to cultivate an inclusive community that nurtures authentic learners who lead and inspire meaningful lives. Faculty, parents/guardians, and students share a commitment to a liberal arts education that strikes a balance among academics, arts, athletics, and activities. We believe that the many dimensions of diversity, equity, and inclusivity are essential to excellence in education, and they are woven into the fabric of the Burroughs experience.

For more information, see:

About Burroughs / Diversity, Equity, Inclusivity & Engagement / Working at Burroughs

Position Description [start date July 1, 2026]

This half-time position comes with a full benefits package, and could possibly be combined with other responsibilities (teaching or other administrative duties that become available), should the candidate be interested in a full-time position at Burroughs.

The Associate Director of College Counseling will assist in implementing an outstanding college counseling and career program and work closely with students throughout their high school years to educate them and their families about the application process, to guide them through the development of appropriate lists, to provide assistance as they apply, and to counsel them as they determine their best match. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Providing families (typically, 115 per grade) with information, advice and counseling as they consider higher education;
Counseling approximately 20 students and their families in the junior and senior years;
Assisting in the development of appropriate grade-level programming for families throughout the high school years, including regular seminars for juniors and seniors and evening programs for parents/guardians;
Providing advice and support as families navigate course selection, standardized testing, essay writing, interviewing, school visiting, and application completion;
Understanding the nuances of the curriculum in order to represent it appropriately to college representatives;
Working closely with the alumni office to maintain connections with recent graduates;
Working closely with the admission office to represent the college counseling philosophy with prospective families;
Staying informed of trends locally and nationally, and maintaining a presence with professional organizations (i.e. SLACC, NACAC, MoACAC, ACCIS);
Establishing and maintaining close working relationships with college and university representatives through hosting events on campus and regular travel to colleges;
Understanding major issues in college counseling--from financial aid, to merit scholarships, to all national issues;
Maintaining an active commitment to college advising that is informed by student identities such, but not limited to, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, and socio-economic background.
Serving as an expert on athletic recruitment, music and theater auditioning; portfolio submissions and other special requirements of the application process;
Engaging in the life of the school by being a presence at events like plays, concerts, and athletic events;
Being a supportive and engaging colleague and school leader.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will:

Have a college degree and possibly a masters;
Have expertise in the college counseling world through many years of experience and leadership in a college admissions office and/or a strong independent school college counseling program;
Have strong cultural competency demonstrated by a commitment to work in diversity, equity and inclusion;
Have strong technical skills and comfort with MaiaLearning (or other college counseling platforms) as well as traditional software programs;
Be an effective writer and speaker;
Be a collaborative colleague with a strong work ethic and sense of humor.

Application Process:

Please direct applications for and questions about our principal position to Darryl Calkins, Director of College Counseling (dcalkins@jburroughs.org).

Interested candidates should submit the following documents:

Cover letter stating interest in and qualifications for the position
Educational philosophy statement that includes approach to college counseling and a sample letter of recommendation
Current resume, including phone number and email address
List of three professional references with contact information

Please also include a note about when it would be appropriate to contact each reference; Burroughs will never reach out to references without your knowledge and permission.

Files will be reviewed as received with preference given to candidates whose materials are submitted by January 23, 2026. Interviews will take place in January. Finalists can expect to visit campus in February.