UPAD High School Guidance Counselor

Description

Summary:

The Guidance Counselor is primarily responsible for guiding and advocating for students in the domains of Academic Development, Personal/Social Development, and Career Development. Further, the counselor must be committed to distributed leadership, actively participate in a professional learning community and embrace families and the community to achieve a common outcome for the student achievement in a school. Candidate should possess strong interpersonal and (oral/written) communication; be detailed oriented, independent and flexible; as well as have patience and empathy for adolescents and their families.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Employee’s duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Support University Prep Schools’ goal of maintaining 60-75% inner district middle school matriculation through various college counseling strategies and initiatives;
• Manage a school-wide caseload of students
• Facilitate annual Educational Planning (EDP) meetings providing in-depth guidance; utilizing career and interests’ assessment results as a resource
• Utilize relevant theory to provide counseling services geared towards Personal/Social Development, with special emphasis with self-awareness and management of self
• Consult and partner-plan with school administration and instructors on school policies and pertinent student cases
• Facilitate, coordinate and attend college and career readiness events/activities; i.e. college tours, parent nights, college prep lectures, career expos, etc.
• Coordinate admissions presentations with college admissions representatives
• Manage college office files for student caseloads and other pertinent college office resources
• Utilize relevant technology platforms to manage college prep data and to promote student/parent engagement in college prep processes
• Provide limited services in crisis intervention and general mental health concerns for students as scheduling permits
• Make appropriate clinical referrals to partnering agencies for ongoing mental health services as identified
• Conduct ongoing research and disseminate information on college admissions, financial aid, and other pertinent post-secondary planning resources
• Attend school and district staff meetings as determined by school Principal
• Attend professional development conferences in college admissions and financial aid as required
• And perform these and other related duties as directed

Qualifications

Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in an educational field is desirable
• Master’s degree in counseling strongly preferred
• Must hold a Michigan School Counselor License (SCL), or an NT endorsement in school counseling, or a preliminary authorization to work as a school counselor (with full licensure within one year)
• Minimum of 1-2 years working in an urban middle school setting is strongly preferred

Desired Competencies

• The Guidance Counselor must possess the knowledge, abilities, skills and attitude to...
• Establish a healthy rapport with students and staff
• Plan, organize, and implement a Comprehensive Guidance & Counseling Program and supportive activities according to state standards of practice
• Implement and follow through on simultaneous projects and tasks
• Contribute to the development of an objective, positive, supportive environment for staff and students
• Maintain knowledge of changing trends and best practices in the area of college counseling and applies knowledge in the schools