School Counselor - Elementary and Middle SY

Position: School Counselor - Elementary and Middle (Immediate & 26-27 SY)
Location: City of Albany

KIPP Capital Region (KIPP Albany Public Schools)

School Counselor - Elementary and Middle (Immediate & 26-27 SY) (Finance)

KIPP Capital Region is a part of a national network of high-performing public Charter Schools committed to creating joyful, academically excellent, and prepared students with the skills, ability, and confidence to pursue their paths to college, career, and beyond.

Located in both Albany and Troy, NY, KIPP Capital Region serves 2,500 students in grades K-12 across seven schools. We believe every individual walks through the doors of schools bearing gifts. Talent. Perspective. Drive. Inspiration. So at KIPP Capital Region, we support every student and educator to see those gifts, and then build the skills and confidence they need to thrive.

We are committed to furthering anti-racism, equity, and racial justice in all our efforts, and expect all of our stakeholders to participate in this work so that we can create a future without limits for our students, together.

Position Overview

The School Counselor will assist students in academic achievement, personal or social development, and career exploration so that each student can identify personal goals, strengths, weaknesses, and interests and grow to become well-adjusted, productive, and successful.

Duties/Responsibilities Socially and Emotionally Support School Community Members

• Provide regular one-on-one counseling or group counseling to students and families.
• Offer crisis intervention to students and families as needed.
• Managing, tracking, and documenting student interactions and counseling schedules.
• Setting goals with students and tracking progress towards those goals.
• Working directly with students to help them successfully work towards high school graduation, college matriculation, and self-sufficiency.
• Collaborating and communicating daily with supervisors, colleagues, and teachers to meet students' needs.

Demonstrate Commitment to School Culture

• Work collaboratively with your school team and those across KIPP Capital Region.
• Help develop a school-wide culture that best fits the needs of our students, teachers, and families.
• Attend and participate in all staff meetings and communicate openly with staff and school leadership.
• Develop positive rapport with students and families.
• Ensure a safe, positive environment in group and one-on-one counseling sessions.
• Enforce, uphold, and exhibit the school's values, student management policies, and culture.
• Support the Principals, Deans, and teachers when discipline issues arise.
• Consult with the school's Student Support Team to develop comprehensive support and interventions for students who are presenting challenging behaviors.

Family Engagement

• Establish and maintain strong communication lines with all parents and share progress consistently.
• Be available for open houses, parent‑teacher conferences, and other events involving parents and families.
• Make themself available to students, parents, and other staff members.
• Design and coordinate student engagement, family engagement, and family education activities, including:
  • Workshops to educate families and students on specific issues, Professional Development sessions to educate staff, etc.

Maintain a Growth Mindset

• Pursue challenging professional goals each year.
• Willing to offer support and receive constructive feedback from colleagues to create a professional working atmosphere that is conducive to change and improvement.
• Participate in school-wide and individual professional development, including pre-service training over the summer and weekly during the academic year (held during school hours).
• Assesses students' needs, strengths, and weaknesses through various means, including one-on-one assessments, conversations, or interviews; standardized or aptitude testing; small group activities; and observations throughout the school day.
• Collaborates with students to identify career aspirations and academic goals and provides information and answers questions related to college applications and career choices.
• Assists students with academic planning, accountability, and organization.
• Teaches various skills, including social, study, and test-taking skills.
• Counsels students with personal, social, disciplinary, and behavioral issues.
• Collaborates with teachers to identify ways to improve students' achievement and social development.
• Promptly notifies appropriate authorities of any reports or suspicions of crimes, abuse, or neglect.
• Collaborates with other educators, parents, and students to develop, review, renew, and modify Individualized Education Plans or 504 plans for students who qualify.

KIPP Capital Region

• Perform other duties as outlined by the Director of Operations.
• Committed to furthering anti-racism, equity, and racial justice in all our efforts, and expect all our stakeholders to participate in this work so that we can create a future without limits for our students together.
• Complies with all charter, federal, state, and local laws and regulations, including the NYS…