First Year Counselor

Rooted in an abiding faith in the talent, imagination, and responsibility of the individual, Bennington College invites students to pursue and shape their own intellectual inquires.  The College is currently accepting applications for the position of First-Year Counselor to join the dynamic and highly collaborative Academic Services team in their ongoing work to help guide and support students throughout their education at Bennington.  

Reporting to the Assistant Dean for Academic Services, the First-Year Counselor works primarily with first-year students and supports the work of first-year advising in preparing first-year students to become autonomous, self-reliant Bennington students, capable of self advocacy, and able to define and articulate their educational and personal goals. In addition to supporting first-year students in their transition to campus, the First Year Counselor will work with students on Academic Warning or Probation, mentor and guide Bennington’s program for first-generation, low income, working class students (FLoW), and provide weekly contributions to an academic newsletter.

Bennington serves a diverse student population - inclusive of ethnic/racial minorities, international and global constituents, GLBTQIA+,and various social classes, among other identities. Our staff and faculty also reflect diverse backgrounds and identities. All employees are expected to be respectful and responsive to these differences in the service of building community that promotes student and employee success. Each individual (faculty, staff and students) will be accountable for upholding these values. The College’s approach to pluralism and inclusivity—both as fields of inquiry and practice—is to prioritize flexible thought, and to invite the examination of access, value, and power through its institutional policies and areas of study. We encourage applicants from diverse realms of interest, backgrounds, experience, and accomplishment to apply.

Preference will be given to candidates who possess a minimum of 2 years of academic advising, can demonstrate success with advising, student programming, team building, and event planning for college aged students in a small liberal arts environment.  A Bachelor’s degree is required and a Masters degree is strongly preferred. This position requires successful completion and acceptable results of a background check.

In addition, the successful candidate will:

• Demonstrate flexibility, creativity, intercultural awareness, and progressive thought
• Demonstrate experience with programming, project management and/or event planning
• Have the ability to engage with students of diverse interests, backgrounds, and experiences in ways that are meaningful and genuine
• Possess exceptional written and verbal communication and relationship-building skills
• Be committed to supporting students through a collaborative and team-oriented approach
• Have the ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects simultaneously, work independently, thrive in a fast-paced environment, and be comfortable taking initiative and being self directed
• Have detailed organization, flexibility taking on tasks of varying depths and detail, experience with marketing (print, electronic, and social media)
• Possess strong technology skills including proficiency in Microsoft Office with advanced knowledge of Excel; experience using Gmail/drive highly preferred  
• Be willing to work flexible hours (some evenings and weekends) to meet the needs of our students