Alternative Education K-12 Counselor

Position Type:

Alternative Education

Date Posted:

3/19/2025

Location:

Decatur Alternative Education

Date Available:

08/2025

Closing Date:

until filled

 Additional Information:
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TITLE:

High School Counselor

PURPOSE:

To assist students in making educational, career, and/or life plans that holds promise for their personal fulfillment as productive citizens.

QUALIFICATIONS:

* Holds a valid Illinois Professional Educator License

* Holds a certificate as a guidance counselor - or
- Holds a type 73 certificate

* Master's Degree or higher education

* The ability to function effectively as a member of the school staff.

* Good organizational skills, detailed oriented, and ability to prioritize tasks effectively and efficiently.

* Ability to understand and follow basic oral and written instructions.

* Good written and communication skills.

* Ability to communicate to students, parents, staff, and administration in a courteous manner.

REPORTS TO:

The Principal or Designee

MAINTAINS LIAISON WITH:

Parents, Staff, Administration, and post-secondary institutions. Communicates on a regular basis or as requested by parents, staff, and/or administration.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

(The following are the essential fundamentals to include but not limited to the following job duties.)

I. MANAGEMENT AND COORDINATION OF STUDENTS SERVICES:

* Assists teachers, parents/guardians, and other stakeholders in interpreting and understanding student data.

* Counsels and assists students in course and subject selection.

* Assists students individually, or in groups, with developing academic, career, and personal/social skills, goals, and plans throughout their educational career.

* Assist new students with scheduling, orientation, and transitioning to new environment.

* Help students with coping and/or problem-solving skills.

* Remains readily available to students so as to provide counseling that will lead each student to increased personal growth, self-understanding and maturity.

* Assist with the preparation and mailing of college, scholarship, financial aid and employment applications.

* Initiates, assembles, maintains, interprets, and protects the confidentiality of student information and data.

* Assists with and updates Individual Career Exploration Plan and transcripts for assigned students.

* Promotes drop-out prevention.

* Provides resources for students who express interest in school and/or community activities/programs.

* Consults and collaborates with the teachers, school psychologist, social workers, administrators, families, and community resources to develop student success.

* Assist students with gathering information regarding admissions for trade schools, special skills schools, programs, colleges, universities, and/or military.

* Arranges and organizes conferences between students and college/career/vocational representatives.

* Reviews students' academic performance and confers with students and parents as needed.

* Counsels students who are enrolled in

* DPS alternative schools/programs (This applies to counselors assigned to alt ed.)

* Will evaluate high school students' transcripts prior to alternative education placement.

* Schedule meetings with students and parents for education-related purposes.

* Assists students with post-secondary options.

* Collaborate with Innovation Programs to assist with referring students for part-time job placement and/or college visits/fairs.

* Conducts follow-up of students new to the school to determine their academic and social adjustment to school.

* Utilize data to identify student struggles, needs, and/or barriers to academic success.

* Explores alternative educational opportunities with students.

* Monitors student Service-Learning Hours and monitors all high school graduation requirements.

* Works with administration to obtain school records from the student's previous school (where applicable) and forwarding student records when appropriate.

* Keeps current with changes in counseling strategies and implementation techniques.

* As part of the school leadership team, assist in improving equity and access for all students.

* Provide counseling for students struggling with attendance, discipline, and/or academics.

II. ASSISTANCE TO INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF:

* Works cooperatively with other school personnel in the identification, diagnosis, and remediation of individual students with specialized needs.

* Meets with appropriate department chairperson regarding that department's course offerings and curriculum changes.

* Assists in the planning for and supervision of all standardized testing programs.

* Arranges for conferences with parents and teachers as needed.

* Participates in multi-disciplinary conferences as needed.

* Works with teachers, special service personnel, administration, and staff to develop new programs and explore innovative developments in the total school program.

* Uses grammatically correct English in verbal and written communications.

III. STAFF AND PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

* Takes an active role in interpreting…