Academic Counselor

Chaminade College Preparatory (Chatsworth)Posted Expires 03 / 21 / 2025Description Chaminade College Preparatory seeks an empathetic, caring, and culturally responsive ACADEMIC COUNSELOR for our middle school campus (grades 6-8) in Chatsworth, California.The successful candidate has experience and expertise working with secondary students to support their academic readiness, social-emotional needs, high school readiness and improve learning outcomes for all students, and support a safe Catholic school environment.A strong candidate possesses a strong knowledge of effective, research / theory based, and data informed counseling principles and practices. The counselor can provide reliable, current resources for students, faculty, and families and use a variety of data to track and monitor student academic progress, identify student needs, and develop and implement a plan to address student needs.Key Responsibilities Under the supervision of the Director of Counseling, counselors uphold standards of professional and ethical standards as expressed in California Association of School Counselors and American School Counselors Association. Counselors facilitate the continuous improvement of developmental, learning, and counseling support for students and families as aligned with the Catholic, Marianist faith and its intellectual tradition, an understanding and application of diversity, equity, and inclusion in a Catholic, Marianist environment, and a balanced, integrated approach to educating students while also supporting student health, safety, and well-being.Collaborate with students, families, teachers, and administrators to apply effective, research-based intervention strategies, including strategies that develop student self-advocacy, agency, and efficacy.Collaborate with department members and administration to evaluate, monitor, and update counseling practices and programs under the guidance of the Director of Counseling and administration.Build ethical, age-appropriate rapport with students, showing empathy, and providing non-judgmental, inclusive, and culturally competent support to students.Ensure that counseling practices respect students’ diverse social identities while also corresponding to Catholic Marianist values and the mission of the school. Help students to respect and understand alternative points of view to accept, respect, and value differences.Counsel and address mental health and well-being needs of students during times of transition, separation, heightened stress, and critical change. Provide assessments of a student’s mental health needs and make appropriate referrals.Know about and communicate information to families about matriculation and graduation requirements, academic policies, and standardized testing to assist teachers, administrators, students, and families to develop, implement, and monitor appropriate academic plans.Understand parent / guardian rights and processes associated with Individual Educational Plan (IEP), Section 504 Plan, and Chaminade’s Learning Accommodations Policy in a Catholic, Marianist independent school. Assist families and students through the IEP / 504 / independent evaluation process. Provide ongoing communication with all stakeholders about student needs, learning accommodations available to students, effective implementation of learning accommodations, and ways to support students in classrooms.Understand what defines a crisis, identify the appropriate responses, and in collaboration with the counseling department, administration, faculty, and staff, develop intervention strategies to meet the needs of the individual, group, or school community before, during, and / or after a crisis response.In addition to counseling responsibilities, Chaminade employees are involved in the life of the school, which includes leading a student advisory group; presence and participation during student activities and assemblies; supporting and participating in our campus-wide House system; attending faculty, department, and grade-level meetings; assigned supervision duties during lunch, and / or before and / or after school; and participating in faith activities, including Masses, prayer services, staff retreats, and student retreats. Although not required, preference is given to candidates interested in coaching, moderating an after-school extracurricular activity, and / or moderating a student club.Deadline for Submission of Applications Applications are being accepted immediately. This position is open until filled.Salary and Benefits This is a salaried / exempt from overtime position. Chaminade faculty are paid on a salary schedule based on degrees and years of prior teaching experience.Full-time employees enjoy a competitive employee benefits program including medical, dental and vision coverages, life insurance, long-term disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, retirement plan contribution, and voluntary supplemental life insurance and long-term care coverages.A minimum of a bachelor’s degree is required. A Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) Credential in School Counseling or School Psychology, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), or related advanced degrees or certificates is preferred.Prior teaching and / or school counseling experience with secondary students (particularly middle school students), especially in a Catholic educational setting, is preferred; however, relevant experience in the field is also strongly considered. A strong candidate has knowledge and experience serving students with learning disabilities who benefit from educational interventions and / or accommodations as described in IEPs, 504 Plans, STEP Plans, and evaluations from educational psychologists.Proficiency using technology, such as Schoology Learning Management System (LMS), Google Apps for Education, Microsoft 365, and Blackbaud School Information System (SIS).Wants to work in a setting committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion of all school stakeholders.Wants to work in a setting committed to balancing learning, health, and well-being of all stakeholders.Wage Range The rate of pay offered to the selected candidate is based on internal pay policy and budget. New hires are commonly paid at the minimum of the wage range or within the lower part of the range. We consider a number of factors when making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skill sets, experience, training and other department needs.Information / Application Contact Chaminade College Preparatory (Chatsworth)#J-18808-Ljbffr