Position: Bilingual Middle School Counselor

Location: Elmhurst, NY

Committed to changing the game for students in Northwest Queens, we are in search of a Bilingual Middle School Counselor beginning January 2024 that strives for excellence even when the path of least resistance seems easier. A leader who is passionate about building community and is also committed to the persistence and stamina it requires to do the work. A person who does not shy away from giving critical feedback and can navigate with ease different styles of communication and the various constituents in a school community. Open to feedback, and eager to improve, this individual's primary goal is to provide students with choices at the next level in a learning environment that is simultaneously challenging, stimulating and fun.

Who We Are:

Forte Prep is a 5th through 8th grade college preparatory, tuition-free public charter school for Queens, New York, with a focus on serving the Jackson Heights, East Elmhurst and Corona communities. We will educate 360 students in the School Year. Our mission is: Through rigorous academics, quality instruction, and a positive culture of individual and collective responsibility, Forte Preparatory Academy Charter School equips all students in grades 5 through 8 to excel in college preparatory high schools and use their leadership and voice to change the world.

Our students have outperformed Community School District 24, 30, Queens County, New York City and New York State on the ELA and Math State exams in each of our first two years of operation. Our students were predicted to dramatically underperform their peers in both exams before they set foot in our school. We doubled proficiency rates in reading and nearly tripled them in math and look forward to continuing to build from there. We are on our way to becoming a school that is well-known and well-respected in Queens. We do this work so that these students can beat the odds stacked against them and change those odds forever.

Our commitments are as follows:

We are committed to preparation for high school, college and beyond. Literacy and math are at the heart of a world-class education, open doors to college and lives of opportunity, and therefore underpin everything that we do.

We are committed to unlocking potential in every student. We focus on creative and digital enrichment, remediation, and individualization based on data.

We are committed to excellent teaching and learning. High-quality teachers are critical to creating and sustaining a culture of excellence and building academic success for every student, in every class, every day.

We are committed to diversity. Located in the most diverse borough (Queens) in its most diverse neighborhoods (Elmhurst/Jackson Heights/Corona), Forte Prep seeks to reflect and honor the diversity of our community within the walls of our school.

We are committed to an intentional school culture. This means fostering consistency in academic and behavioral expectations; Collaborating with school staff to support students' academic and socio-emotional development; Ensuring that everything we do that supports a student's success beyond high school are built and maintained, grade by grade, year to year, and supporting staff to ensure the smooth administration and effectiveness of all enrichment programs.

We are committed to parents/families. We will communicate regularly with families, ensuring they are kept involved with and held accountable for their children's performance, and correspond about school policies, trips, and events; and respond to family concerns promptly and effectively.

This is where you come in. Forte Prep is looking for a Bilingual Middle School Counselor to join our Counselor team. The counselor will play a crucial role in providing comprehensive counseling services to middle school students, with a focus on supporting the academic, social-emotional, development of bilingual learners. The ideal candidate will be fluent in English and Spanish, demonstrating cultural competency and sensitivity in a diverse educational setting.

This role has the following responsibilities:

• Individual and Group Counseling:
• Conduct individual counseling sessions to address the diverse academic, personal, and social-emotional needs of middle school students.
• Facilitate group counseling sessions that promote positive peer relationships, effective communication, and conflict resolution.
• Crisis Intervention:
• Respond promptly to crisis situations, providing immediate support to students facing emergencies or critical incidents.
• Collaborate with relevant stakeholders to implement crisis intervention strategies and ensure the safety and well-being of students.
• Academic Support:
• Assist students in developing effective study habits, time management skills, and goal-setting strategies.
• Collaborate with teachers to identify academic challenges and implement interventions to support student success.
• Parent and Community Collaboration:
• Communicate regularly with parents/guardians to discuss student progress, address concerns, and provide resources for supporting their child's development.
• Collaborate with community organizations to enhance resources available to students and families.
• Multicultural Competence:
• Demonstrate cultural sensitivity and awareness, particularly in addressing the unique needs of bilingual and multicultural students.
• Foster an inclusive and equitable school environment that celebrates diversity.
• Data Collection and Reporting:
• Maintain accurate and confidential records of counseling sessions, assessments, and interventions.
• Prepare and submit reports on student progress, counseling activities, and program effectiveness.
• Professional Development:
• Stay informed about current trends and best practices in school counseling.
• Engage in professional development activities to enhance counseling skills and cultural competence.
• Identify afterschool and summer programs for students to support social or emotional needs.

To be excellent in this role, you will have to have the following values, characteristics and qualifications:

• Team-oriented individual with experience working in a middle school setting.
• At least a bachelor's degree required.
• Active NY School Counselor's license.
• Fluency in English and Spanish, both written and spoken.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Compensation

Salary range is $61,000 - $75,000 commensurate with your experience. Forte Prep Academy employees are provided with a benefits package that includes medical, vision, and dental insurance, 403 B matching, parental leave, tuition reimbursement, a smartphone, and a laptop.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Forte Preparatory Academy Charter Schools are committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, we prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose such discrimination and harassment or who participate in an equal opportunity investigation.

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: $61,000 - $75,000 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• Weekend availability

Supplemental pay types:

• Bonus pay
• Signing bonus

COVID-19 considerations:

Vaccines required, masks optional (if vaccinated).

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Elmhurst, NY 11373: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: One location