GENERAL DESCRIPTION

New Orleans Center for Creative Arts is Louisiana’s premier public, pre-professional arts high school that offers students intensive instruction in creative writing, culinary arts, dance, media arts, music, theatre arts, and visual arts, while demanding simultaneous academic excellence. NOCCA serves more than 400 9th-12th grade students, who are enrolled either as full-day students in NOCCA’s Academic Studio or as half-day students for arts instruction only. The College Counselor works with all students, with a primary focus on juniors and seniors.

NOCCA’s graduates gain admission into a wide variety of selective colleges and conservatories and last year garnered over $46 million in scholarships and grants. The NOCCA College Counselor guides students and families through the entire college planning and application process. This role supports students in identifying post‑secondary goals, preparing application materials, understanding financial aid, and making informed decisions about their future. The counselor collaborates closely with teachers, administrators, and families to ensure each student receives individualized, developmentally appropriate support.

JOB DUTIES

Student Advising

• Provide one‑on‑one and group counseling on college exploration, applications, essays, testing, and timelines.

• Support students in identifying artistic, academic, and career interests.

• Guide students in building balanced college lists aligned with their goals and strengths.

• Assist with access to college data systems (SCOIR, Common App, etc), college essay development, résumé building, and application completion.

• Advise students on standardised testing options and preparation strategies.

College Application & Admissions Support

• Manage all aspects of the college application process, including deadlines, transcripts, recommendations, and school reports.

• Coordinate teacher recommendation requests and ensure timely submission.

• Review student applications for completeness and accuracy.

• Maintain knowledge of admissions trends, policies, and requirements.

Family Engagement

• Communicate regularly with families about college planning, financial aid, scholarships, and deadlines.

• Host workshops, information sessions, and family meetings on college readiness topics.

• Provide guidance on FAFSA, CSS Profile, and scholarship applications.

School & Community Collaboration

• Build and maintain relationships with college admissions representatives.

• Organize college visits, fairs, and on‑campus admissions events.

• Coordinate with academic partner schools in support of half-day students 

• Maintain accurate records and data related to student progress and outcomes.

• Support school events and student supervision.

Program Development

• Develop and refine college counseling curriculum and resources.

• Track and analyze college acceptance and matriculation data to improve programming.

• Stay current with higher education trends, financial aid changes, and admissions practices.

Other

• Assist with data management by collecting, organizing, entering, and maintaining accurate student, program, and operational records to support school processes and reporting needs

• Be aware of state and federal updates to policy and guidance concerning college counseling

• Coordinate communication concerning Supplemental Course Academy Funds and complete required data uploads.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in college counseling, school counseling, admissions, or youth advising.

• Strong understanding of college admissions processes, financial aid, and scholarship systems.

• Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to work effectively with diverse students and families.

• Comfort with data systems, application platforms (e.g., Common App, SCOIR), and digital communication tools.

EDUCATION

• College Degree in counseling, education, or related field or five or more years of related work experience in university/secondary school college counseling experience

Additional hours are required for Orientation, Open Studio, Auditions, Grade Nights, Parent/Teacher Conferences, Senior Saturday, Homecoming Events, Graduation, Celebrations, Parent Night, Student Shows and Presentations, and Professional Development days.   

BENEFITS 

In addition to approved Holidays, you will be entitled to all benefits afforded to a State of Louisiana team member, including the following:

• Earning sick leave time at a rate of 10 days per school year 

• A choice of health and life insurance plans for yourself and your family, as selected

• A choice of  supplemental insurance benefits, such as dental, vision, and short-term or long-term disability

• Participation in the Teacher’s Retirement System of Louisiana (TRSL) or the Louisiana State Employees' Retirement System (LASERS). 

• K-time may be available with pre-approval for consultancy outside of the normal scope of the position

• Option for participation in voluntary retirement plan vehicles [403(b) or 457 plans]

NOCCA is committed to fostering a fair and inclusive environment with a diverse faculty, staff and student body.  We especially welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

HOW to APPLY: 

Please submit a letter of interest, a resume, and contact information for three references by using this link to fill out a Google form. 

Candidate review will begin on March 9, and applications received after that date will continue to be considered until the position is filled.

OR

Mail your submission to: 

New Orleans Center for Creative Arts

NOCCA  COLLEGE COUNSELOR

ATTN: Human Resources Department

2800 Chartres Street

New Orleans, LA 70117

NOCCA Vision

We believe in the transformative power of the arts. We aspire to create an educational community that nurtures and challenges young people to become more curious, kind, empathetic, engaged, and willing to grapple with complex problems in order to create a just, sustainable, and joyful world.

NOCCA Mission

NOCCA’s mission is to provide a world-class, pre-professional arts education for every young person in Louisiana with the curiosity, creativity, talent and motivation to pursue a life in the arts as they realize the best possible versions of themselves and their futures.

NOCCA as a SAME Agency

New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) is fully committed to ensuring compliance with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and its Amending Act of 2008 (collectively ADA).  We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with disabilities, which may include providing reasonable accommodation to the extent it does not cause an undue hardship. NOCCA will not discriminate against nor tolerate discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities in any employment practices, including job application procedures, hiring, firing, advancement, compensation, training, and other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment.