Alternative Education K-12 Counselor

High School Counselor

Purpose:

To assist students in making educational, career, and/or life plans that hold 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:

• Management and Coordination of Student 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
• 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
• Utilizes 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
• 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
• Staff and Professional Responsibilities:
• Takes an active role in interpreting the school's objectives, rules, and policies
• In cooperation with local agencies, participates in Career Awareness Programs and/or assemblies
• Provides approved material for press releases and/or newsletters
• Maintains and submits accurate and timely records/reports as required by law, Board policy, and administrative guidelines
• Follows building and district rules, procedures, and policies

Terms of Employment:
Wages, hours, terms, and conditions of employment pursuant to the…