School Counselor - Leave Replacement

School Counselor Leave Replacement (anticipated coverage dates: 05/2025 - 10/08/2025)

School Counselors are first and foremost advocates for students, who guide students through their academic journey, providing support to maximize student potential. They work closely with students, families, the community at large, and other educators to create a system where students will acquire the skills and knowledge to be civically-minded, critical thinking members of society, who are also college and/or career ready.

A school counseling candidate for any Schenectady City School District School, is a candidate who possesses an asset-based, equity mind-set that focuses on supporting students through a myriad of direct, and indirect services. The ideal candidate possesses experience with restorative justice, social emotional development, conflict resolution, interactive journaling, and can successfully support students in identifying their unique skills and aptitudes for a successful high school journey.

In addition to the typical skills found within the school counseling profession, a successful candidate would possess:

• Foundational knowledge & experience with Restorative Justice
• Experience in helping students explore, engage in, and navigate interactive journaling or anger management
• An ability to lead students through analysis of their 4-year planning for high school, and individual academic planning
• A strength in building relationships and working collaboratively with students, families, community members, administration, faculty and staff
• Strong foundational principles in the form of anti-racism, inclusivity, trauma-sensitivity, and culturally responsive pedagogy
• A strengths-based, advocacy approach for students in their work
• A demonstrated ability to take initiative, yet work collectively to ensure program success
• Knowledge of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS)
• Excellent interpersonal relations, as well as organizational, oral and written communication skills

Job Responsibilities may include but are not limited to:

• Working individually and in small groups with students to provide social emotional skills, anger management or conflict resolution
• Supporting students in self-assessment related to their aptitudes and skills, ultimately assisting with setting individual goals, action planning and progress monitoring their success through a student information system (Infinite Campus)
• Working with students and fellow faculty, and administration on student re-entry to the larger high school environment preceding a short-term suspension
• Working with faculty, staff and community partners to provide continued emotional, and/or mental health support for students who experience recidivism of behaviors that lead to suspension
• Communicating information and support to students, families, faculty and staff related to college and/or career readiness and post-secondary planning
• Consultation and collaboration with teachers, staff and parents/guardians; referrals to and consultation with outside service providers and community resources
• Collaborating with the greater secondary department to ensure alignment with the school counseling comprehensive counseling plan
• Serving as a member of the School Based Support Team, Committee on Special Education, 504 Committee, Cohort Team, and other groups as appropriate
• Provides for all students a formalized program of career guidance
• Providing small group, and/or classroom guidance instruction to students in several areas to include college and career readiness, study and organizational skills, self-awareness and identity development, and social/emotional learning
• Collaborating with other related services providers to ensure students mental & developmental health and wellbeing are a priority (includes activities such as counseling, SEL groups, DASA, Risk Assessment, & community based service referrals)
• Performs other reasonable duties as assigned by Supervisor

Minimum Qualifications:

• 3 years of School Counseling experience in a High School Setting preferred;
• Master’s Degree;
• Must hold NYSED School Counselor Certification in NYS;
• Experience in urban settings preferred