Department

Lab School High School Faculty

About the Department

The University of Chicago Laboratory Schools provide one of the world's most outstanding pre-collegiate educational experiences. Because Lab is part of the University of Chicago, the importance of intellectual life—of thought and exploration—infuses all aspects of our curriculum, and students in every grade benefit from outstanding UChicago academicians and access to unmatched resources. John Dewey, one of the great minds in education, established the Schools in 1896 as a place to explore and implement his theories on childhood education. Today’s students still benefit from his vision, and today’s Lab faculty are recognized as experienced leaders in their field.

Families who choose Lab care deeply about curiosity, inquiry, and creativity. Approximately 60 percent of Lab families are affiliated with the University, half live in Hyde Park, and the rest come from across Chicago, the suburbs, and northern Indiana. Lab’s student body reflects the diversity that is deeply valued by the Schools and its community; approximately half of our 2,000 students are people of color and families report speaking nearly 40 different languages in their homes.

The Laboratory Schools seek the finest employees, people who wish to inspire a love of learning in our students and join a vibrant learning community. We employ people with a wide range of skills and training, in many different disciplines. At Lab, we value learning experientially, exhibiting kindness, and honoring diversity. We seek employees who share a similar commitment to these values. Lab people are engaged and excited by our mission of igniting and nurturing an enduring spirit of scholarship, curiosity, creativity, and confidence in the youngest members of the University of Chicago’s academic community.

The Laboratory Schools is a great place to work and our connection to the University provides our faculty and staff with opportunities that would be nearly impossible to match in any other environment. Interested candidates should apply via our website at: http://www.ucls.uchicago.edu/about-lab/employment.

Job Information

Job Summary:

The Laboratory Schools High School College Counselor administers all aspects of the college search and admissions process. Builds deep relationships with students, families, and staff to foster a culture of community. Maintains strong lines of communication with families about student progress, and supports and collaborates closely with counseling colleagues and faculty in the united pursuit of Lab’s mission.

The College Counselor will educate students and parents about college options, the admissions and financial aid processes, current trends, application procedures, and admission testing. Provide individual and small group college counseling; consult with parents for the academic, career, and personal success of their children. This position will collaborate and consult with school counselors on developmental issues which impact a student's performance in the classroom; provide educational planning, career development, curricular choices for senior year, and its impact for college planning. Meet with students regularly to ensure deadlines are being met. Give feedback on college essay development; facilitate and meet with college representatives, and serve as the liaison to these representatives and their college admissions offices. Build and submit all school documents to colleges and scholarship organizations; write the official Secondary Report and counselor letter of recommendation for each counselee. Work with the Director's Office to develop quantitative and qualitative analysis and board reports; and maintain the legal and ethical standards as specified for school counselors and college admissions specialists, additionally mindful of those stipulated by the Guide to Ethical Practice in College Admissions of the National Association of College Admission Counseling. The College Counselors report to the High School Principal.

Responsibilities:

Collaborate with families and students. Maintain confidential files on each student in their assigned caseload. Conduct and staff informational presentations or discussion groups with parents or teachers. Meet regularly with all students in caseload. Answer all parent communication in a timely and professional manner.Prepare and submit supporting materials for applications. Write counselor letters of recommendation for students for colleges and scholarship programs. Liaise with various college admissions offices and submit all requested and required school materials for applications on or before posted deadlines. Understand course progressions, pre-requisites, and individual departmental policies as described in the Program of Studies. Ensure that course selections fulfill graduation requirements and meet college admission standards.Participate in confidential group consultation with administrators and U-High Learning and Counseling colleagues, as needed. Work collegially with faculty about individual student-related needs and documents. Prepare and present an annual report to the Director and the Board of Directors of the Schools.Cooperate with Learning and Counseling Colleagues. Consult with school counselors to clarify and coordinate work with individual students, particularly those who are having academic or personal difficulty, and develop, implement, and interpret a needs assessment tool and/or satisfaction survey. Accept specially assigned departmental and cohort tasks.Full-time faculty are expected to work a 40-hour week and the required number of days as stipulated in the Faculty Association contract. All faculty are expected to perform in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.Preform other duties as assigned.

Competencies:

Quickly adapt to changing circumstances and flexible when working with students.Interact with a diverse group of faculty, staff, students, and parents required.Analytical skills required.Problem-solving skills required.Decision-making skills required.Attention to detail required.Organizational skills required.Computational skills required.Creativity required.Verbal and written communication skillsInterpersonal skills required.Work independently and as part of a team required.Manage stressful situations required.Maintain confidentiality required.Work on multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, and meet deadlines required.

Additional Responsibilities

Education, Experience, or Certifications:

Education:

Bachelor's degree required.Master's degree is strongly preferred.

Experience:

A minimum of five years of college counseling in secondary school is preferred.Background in a selective college admission office is preferred.Comfortable working with a wide range of students with diverse backgrounds such as race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, learning abilities, class, language and nationality.

Technical Knowledge or Skills:

Knowledge of diversity, equity and inclusion issues, and dynamics in the classroom and in developing healthy, supportive relationships with all students.Strong knowledge of course subject matter required.Knowledge of instructional methodologies required.Strong knowledge of child development required.Develop curricula, lesson plans, and assessment tools required.Use standard productivity software (Microsoft Office, calendar/schedule software, etc.) required.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:

Move in and around the classroom/building to interact with students, faculty, staff, parents, and other members of the community.Move class-related equipment/tools, as appropriate, around school property.When appropriate, escort children from one classroom to another, in and out of the building during arrival and dismissal, and in an emergency situation.Demonstrate lessons, when appropriate.

Pay Range:

$72,433 - $161,007 per year.

Required Documents:

Resume/CVCover LetterProfessional References Contact Information (3)

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Benefit Eligibility​

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off.

Pay Rate Type

Salary

Pay Range

$72,433.00 - $161,007.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Union

000- American Federation of Teachers , Local 2063

Job is Exempt

Yes

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Posting Date

2025-02-19

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.