THE CLASSICAL ACADEMY
POSITION DESCRIPTION

Title: Counselor Department: Junior High
Date: Updated January 28, 2022 FLSA Status: Exempt
Work Year: Academic Calendar
Part-time position is three days a week on Wednesday through Friday (0.6 FTE).
Opening closes Wednesday, July 3rd, 2024.

SALARY: $47,000 - $51,000* (This position will be adjusted to .6 FTE which equates to $28,200-$30,600)
*depending upon previous relevant experience. Actual starting pay rate will be determined after a review of the work experience provided on the job application and resume.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES
The Junior High Counselor provides a comprehensive counseling program for grades 7 and 8 for The Classical Academy’s full-time junior high school program. The counselor provides services to meet the needs of students; consult with administrators, teachers, staff, and parents to enhance the effectiveness in helping students; and to provide support to other educational programs.

This position includes working with students needing academic and social/emotional interventions and facilitating support groups throughout the day. It also includes supporting students with behavioral and mental health needs.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIP
Reports to the Principal and Assistant Principal
The following statements are illustrative of the essential functions of the job and do not include other non-essential or marginal duties that may be required. The description may not include all functions performed by incumbents in various locations. The Classical Academy reserves the right to modify or change the duties or essential functions of this job at any time.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Assist students in the areas of emotional and social development
• Provide a comprehensive counseling program and services to meet the needs of The Classical Academy’s full-time 9th-12th grade students
• Become an active member of the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) team
• Coordinate 504 plans across all assigned programs
• Support students with behavioral and mental health needs, and support teachers with data collection regarding intervention strategies.
• Frequent collaboration with other service providers to develop behavior plans or identify other needs of students.
• Respond to referrals from school administration, parents, teachers, the Student Support Team, the Special Education Committee, and others by providing direct services and by assisting families in accessing appropriate community resources
• Provide individual and small group counseling as needed – topics include, but are not limited to, social development, conflict resolution, family issues, making healthy choices, and academic planning
• Maintain an ongoing liaison with community agencies and other resources to meet student needs; refers parents and student to agencies when appropriate
• Become a visible body in the school by participating in a variety of school and student body activities
• Assist in transition to from junior high to high school
• Continually plan, evaluate, and revise the counseling program
• Participate in professional development activities aimed at current trends and best practices for the provision of comprehensive school social work services.
• Upon request, prepare and submit reports to the TCA Director of Student Support Services
• Actively participate in the district’s counseling cohort and attend D20 trainings
• Establish and maintain positive staff relationships
• Analyze information gained through record reviews and interviews to determine environmental impacts and appropriate resource needs; integrate gained information into a written report and oral presentation.
• Attend and participate in Manifestation meetings as needed or requested.
• Interview students and parents to discuss issues related to non-attendance and develop a plan of action.
• Review student records to identify previous barriers and/or interventions.
• Conduct parent interviews to acquire socio-developmental information as needed for special education referrals

MARGINAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Performs other duties as required

EDUCATION:

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university required
• Valid Colorado Special Service Provider license for School Counselor is required

EXPERIENCE:

• Experience in an education setting preferred

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills
• Effective student management skills
• Student centered; demonstrated success working with students
• Excellent collaborative skills
• Energetic, creative, innovative, flexible
• Skill in the use of multimedia and computer technology to enhance learning
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing
• Ability to care for students to help develop a positive self-image
• Knowledge of TCA’s mission and commitment to support it
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with students, parents, and staff

SCOPE OF INTERPERSONAL CONTACTS

• Students
• Teachers
• Administrators
• Support Staff
• Parents
• Other departments
• Supervisor

Contacts often involve discussing information and issues that are sensitive in nature and require a high degree of professionalism and confidentiality.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Work is performed in both the counseling office and general education classrooms
• Required to work normal business hours with occasional additional hours as needed

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The following are some of the physical demands commonly associated with this position. They are included for informational purposes and are not all inclusive.

• Typical demands require the employee to:
• Frequently use eye, hand, and finger coordination to enable the use of a computer, other office equipment, and writing utensils
• Frequently be involved in verbal and auditory interaction both interpersonally and through communication devices
• occasionally lift/carry burdens weighing up to 30 lbs. and push/pull/maneuver burdens weighing up to 100 lbs.
• Stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, and balance while working or helping students
• Spend equivalent amounts of the time sitting, standing, and walking while performing job duties

COGNITIVE FUNCTIONS:
The following are some of the cognitive functions commonly associated with this position. They are included for informational purposes and are not all-inclusive:

The staff member may be required to analyze, communicate, compare, compile, compute, coordinate, copy, evaluate, instruct, negotiate, synthesize, reason, and use interpersonal skills.

BENEFITS For positions of .5 FTE and greater
The Classical Academy offers competitive pay and a robust total compensation package including:
-MEDICAL: There are three options for Medical coverage, including an HSA option; as well as access to PeakMed for eligible staff members who elect a TCA Medical plan. The Classical Academy (TCA) makes a monthly contribution toward your medical premiums as an employee.
-DENTAL: Dental insurance is offered through Delta Dental of Colorado. TCA makes a monthly contribution toward the premium for this benefit
-LIFE/AD&D/LTD: Employees are provided a $25,000 group term life insurance through The Standard Life Insurance Company and offers an Accidental Death and Dismemberment and Long-term Disability policy as well. TCA pays the full cost of this benefit.
-PERA: Administered by Colorado PERA, this is a tax deferred retirement account to which you contribute 10% of your monthly earnings. TCA contributes 20.9% to the PERA pension trust fund on your behalf.
-VOLUNTARY VISION: EyeMed is the voluntary vision program available to TCA employees.
-WELLNESS PROGRAM: A voluntary wellness program though Orriant is offered in which employees are eligible to earn an incentive of up to $150 for participation with achievement of wellness activity goals
-RETIREMENT OPTIONS: Employees may elect to participate in deferred income for retirement purposes: PERA Plus 401 (k)
-MEDICAL and DEPENDENT CARE FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT: This account allows employees to save money for unreimbursed medical expenses or dependent care expenses to be used within the plan year (July to June) on a tax-exempt basis. This reduces your taxable income.
-TIME OFF COMPENSATION: A1.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) employee is provided with Staff Leave and Personal Leave. IFor positions less than 1.0 FTE, your leave time will be prorated accordingly based on FTE. Our leave program is fully compliant with the Colorado Healthy Families Workplace Act.
-PRIORITY ENROLLMENT STATUS: Children of staff members .4 FTE and above receive priority enrollment of their child/children at The Classical Academy Charter School.
-Ongoing Professional Development Opportunities
-Staff Appreciation Meals and Events

Conditions of Employment:
Per the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, the selected applicant shall be required to verify, within 72 hours of employment, her/his legal right to be employed in the United States.

The Classical Academy does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, national origin, disability, gender, or any other protected status in its educational programs and activities (including employment and application for employment).

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $28,200.00 - $30,600.00 per year

Expected hours: No less than 24 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Grade levels:

• 7th grade
• 8th grade

Physical setting:

• Charter school
• Public school
• School

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

License/Certification:

• School Counseling Certification (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Colorado Springs, CO 80921 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Colorado Springs, CO 80921: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person