Position Overview:
Seeking a highly skilled and compassionate counselor to join our educational team. The successful candidate will play a key role in addressing academic, emotional, and behavioral needs for high school students. This role offers an opportunity to contribute significantly to student success, fostering both personal and academic growth in a collaborative and supportive environment.
Key Responsibilities:
- Counseling and Educational Programs:
Provide both one-on-one counseling and group counselling for students managing emotional, academic, and behavioral issues. Deliver targeted interventions to support emotional, psychological, academic, behavioral, and social development.
• Individualized Plans:
Develop and implement tailored plans to address the specific needs of each student, ensuring the plans align with their academic and personal growth objectives.
• Crisis Intervention:
Provide immediate intervention and support during times of crisis, ensuring the safety and emotional well being of students.
• Confidentiality and Record-Keeping:
Maintain accurate, confidential, and up-to-date records of student progress and counseling interventions in accordance with established ethical and legal guidelines.
• Transition Supports:
Assist students in navigating significant life transitions.
• Collaboration with Health care Providers:
Work closely with relevant support personnel to coordinate comprehensive care for students.
• Referral Services:
Provide referrals to external professionals or community resources when necessary.
• Professional Development:
Participate in ongoing professional training to stay current with best practices in counseling within an educational context.
State Testing Collaboration:
- Test Scheduling and Logistics:
Assist with the scheduling of state-required tests, ensuring proper registration and accommodation for all students. Collaborate with administrators and faculty to organize test day logistics, including room assignments and student communications.
• Test Anxiety Support:
Provide counseling support for students to manage test anxiety and stress, ensuring they are mentally prepared for state testing.
Work-Study Supervision:
- Mentorship and Oversight:
Supervise work-study students and provide career counseling to work-study students, helping them define and achieve their academic and professional goals.
• Recruitment and Training:
Assist in the recruitment, training, and scheduling of work-study students, ensuring they are placed in roles that support both their academic development and career aspirations.
Educational Developmental Plans (EDPs):
- Plan Development and Implementation:
Create and monitor individualized Educational Developmental Plans (EDPs) to ensure students' academic goals are well-defined and measurable .
• Collaboration and Adjustment:
Collaborate with teachers, CTE/dual staff, special education staff, administrators, and guardians to adjust and track EDP progress, ensuring students are on track to meet their academic and career objectives.
• Long-Term Goal Setting:
Support students in long-term college/career goals, fostering their overall academic and personal growth.
High School Master Schedule Management:
Create and manage the High School Master Schedule each year by March 1, ensuring courses, staffing, and classroom assignments align with student needs and meets the legal requirements per MDE.
• Conflict Resolution:
Work closely with school staff and administration to address and resolve any scheduling conflicts.
• Course Enrollment:
Ensure that students are placed in appropriate courses based on their academic goals, EDPs, and future aspirations, including CTE, dual, work study, etc.
• Ongoing Monitoring:
Continuously monitor and adjust the master schedule to accommodate any needed changes.
Graduation and Awards:
Create and manage with administration the overall graduation set up and planning while collaborating with support staff, administration and class advisors.
• Awards:
Organize, manage and lead the various awards and recognitions throughout the school year, such as senior awards night, Jack Pine Conference Academic recognitions, honor roll recognitions, etc.
Career and College Transition Support:
- College and Career Readiness Counseling:
Support students in exploring and preparing for post-secondary education and career opportunities. Guide students through the college application process, including selection, admissions, financial aid, and scholarship opportunities.
• Career Exploration:
Assist students in identifying career interests, exploring various career paths, and understanding the necessary educational requirements for various occupations. Organize career fairs, job shadowing opportunities, and internships to provide real-world exposure.
• Collaboration with Post-Secondary Institutions:
Develop relationships with colleges, universities, FASFA staff, and vocational staff, businesses, and schools to ensure smooth transitions for students, including visits, informational sessions, etc.
Qualifications:
- Educational Requirements:
Certified Secondary High School Counselor per the State of Michigan requirements.
• Experience:
Prior experience in counseling preferred.
• Skills and Knowledge:
Strong understanding of counseling principles.
• Communication and Collaboration:
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with all stakeholders.
• Work Style:
Ability to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Cultural Competence:
Demonstrated ability to work with diverse and at-risk student populations in a compassionate, non judgmental, and culturally sensitive manner.
• Organizational Skills:
Strong organizational abilities, attention to detail, and effective time management skills.
