Head Counselor

Head Counselor

• REAL Journey Academies (RJA) is a non-profit public Charter School management organization designed to significantly increase college entrance and graduation rates for underserved students, in addition to educating a highly prepared workforce.  We aim to impact and revitalize communities through the integration of high quality educational programing, as well as supportive community and family partnerships, to ensure we reach our goal of supporting each RJA student to reach their promise as learners.

   

  Reporting Structure:

  The Head Counselor is a member of the REAL Journey Academies’ Academic Leadership Team, Educational Support Services reporting to the Director of Counseling Services or designee.

  Primary Responsibility:

  The Head Counselor, under the general direction of the Director of Counseling Services, provides leadership and direction in the development, analysis, and evaluation of the Counseling Program.  Additionally, the head counselor provides academic, career, and social emotional counseling and assists in the overall development of students in order to successfully prepare them for post-secondary educational opportunities, the work force, and continued life-long learning.  A key component would be to establish rapport, visibility, and an effective means of communication with students, staff, and community partners.

  Essential Functions & Responsibilities:

  Responsibilities and duties include, but are not limited to:

• Be knowledgeable of all Adult Education programs and the Adult Education HSD graduation requirements
• Establish strategies to address students’ Academic Development, Career Development, and Social Emotional Development.
• Provide academic, career, and social emotional counseling services.
• Provide professional development for both counseling staff and other certificated staff.
• Works with stakeholders to facilitate the continuous planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of the Counseling Program.
• Acts as team leader for multiple school workgroups.
• Use demographic, achievement, and behavioral data to identify concerns and establish Counseling Program goals.
• Assists in the communication between, teachers, school counselors, students, and administrators regarding program activities.
• Facilitates participating agency coordination
• Coordinates with various service providers to ensure a wide-range of services are available for students; i.e., behavioral health, medical, probation, law enforcement, etc.
• Maintains thorough records of student contacts, agency contacts, etc.
• Maintains necessary data collection for grant, district, and/or department requirements.
• In collaboration with the Director of Counseling, schedule counselors, academic advisors, and counseling office classified staff.
• In collaboration with the Director of Counseling, discuss program improvement needs and possible resolutions.
• In collaboration with the Director of Counseling Services, develop the Counseling Program Annual Agreement.
• Serve as Administrative designee
• Other duties as assigned

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  Expectations:

• Adhere to all RJA Policies and Procedures, and policies and practices of the RJA Educational Support Services.
• Able to perform duties with minimal work direction.  Ability to work both independently and cooperatively, exercise judgment, creativity and willingness to work with others as a team.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and a demonstrated competency to interact with people at all levels of the organization.
• A demonstrated willingness to engage in professional development activities in order to develop and improve new and current skills and to adapt to the evolving needs of the organization.
• Demonstrated ability to bring people and resources together around best practices.
• Demonstrated ability to create a professional learning community focused on quality instruction and learning and experience in implementing best practices
• Skills to organize ideas, time, materials and space with attention to details to accomplish goals and meet deadlines.
• To fulfill the expectations of the position, with an understanding fulfillment of the job duties will take hours outside of the normal duty day.  Builds trust and ongoing positive relationships with constituents.
• Maintain regular attendance; adhere to RJA practice regarding attendance and leaves of absence.
• Perform all outlined duties and responsibilities consistent with the scope and intent of the position with strict confidentiality.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure from the public, workload, and students.
• Immediately communicate any concerns directly to the Director of Counseling Services. 

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  Qualifications:

• Must possess a valid California Pupil Personnel Services (PPS-School Counselor) credential. 
• Must have clinical experience, and/or working towards clinical licensure
• Familiar with crisis’ protocols and processes.
• Successful experience working with adult students and school personnel.
• Knowledge of research-based strategies to assist adults and improve school climate.
• Knowledge of Counseling Practices and strategies for supporting all students.
• Experience coordinating community referrals for adults.
• Knowledge of American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Model: Framework for School Counseling Programs.
• Knowledge of the California Standards for the School Counseling Profession & CASC.
• Ability to complete required reports.
• Ability to manage confidential material; i.e., HIPAA & FERPA regulations, record keeping, etc.
• Ability to develop and maintain positive rapport with students, staff, and community partners.
• Ability to use technology

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  Required Skills /Abilities:

• Experience with computers and software applications
• Proficiency with or the ability to learn current software and equipment
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software

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  Demands:

   

• Ability to exert up to 10 pounds of force to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects
• Occasional or frequent standing, walking, sitting, bending, stooping and reaching for extended periods of time.
• Occasional computer work including but not limited to typing.

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  Compensation:

  This is an outstanding opportunity for a highly motivated educator to assume a fundamental role in an innovative school environment.

  REAL Journey Academies offers its employees a competitive salary, commensurate with experience. We pride ourselves in offering a competitive benefits package that includes:

   

  Benefits and Perks:

• Comprehensive HMO/PPO Medical, Dental and Vision Plans
• Virtual Medical Visits
• Health Savings Account
• Up to 12 Vacation Days
• 10 Paid Holiday Schedule
• Company Paid Life & Disability Insurance
• Employer-matched retirement plans (403b and CalSTRS)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Discount Program
• Legal Insurance
• Additional voluntary health benefits
• Opportunities for Growth & Development 

Qualifications

• Must possess a valid California Pupil Personnel Services (PPS-School Counselor) credential. 
• Must have clinical experience, and/or working towards clinical licensure
• Familiar with crisis’ protocols and processes.
• Successful experience working with adult students and school personnel.
• Knowledge of research-based strategies to assist adults and improve school climate.
• Knowledge of Counseling Practices and strategies for supporting all students.
• Experience coordinating community referrals for adults.
• Knowledge of American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Model: Framework for School Counseling Programs.
• Knowledge of the California Standards for the School Counseling Profession & CASC.
• Ability to complete required reports.
• Ability to manage confidential material; i.e., HIPAA & FERPA regulations, record keeping, etc.
• Ability to develop and maintain positive rapport with students, staff, and community partners.
• Ability to use technology

Salary : $85,000 - $95,000