Alternative Education K-12 Counselor Job Decatur area,Illinois USA,Education / Teaching

Position: Alternative Education K-12 Counselor for 2026-2027 School Year

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 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, detail‑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.
Assists 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.
Provides resources for students who express interest in school and/or community activities/programs.
Consults and collaborates with teachers, school psychologist, social workers, administrators, families, and community resources to develop student success.
Assists 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.
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.

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…