SUMMARY:

The Guidance Counselor is primarily responsible for guiding and advocating for students in the domain of Academic Development, Personal/Social Development, and Career Development. Further, the counselor must be committed to distributed leadership, actively participate in a professional learning community and embrace families and the community to achieve a common outcome for the student achievement in a school. Candidate should possess strong interpersonal and (oral/written) communication; be detailed oriented, independent and flexible; as well as have patience and empathy for adolescents and their families.

DESIRED COMPETENCIES:

• The Guidance Counselor must possess the knowledge, abilities, skills and attitude to...
• Establish a healthy rapport with students and staff;  
• Plan, organize, and implement a Comprehensive Guidance & Counseling Program and supportive activities according to state standards of practice;
• Implement and follow through on simultaneous projects and tasks;
• Contribute to the development of an objective, positive, supportive environment for staff and students; and
• Maintain knowledge of changing trends and best practices in the area of college counseling and applies knowledge in the schools.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in an educational field is desirable;
• Master's degree in counseling strongly preferred;   
• Must hold a Michigan School Counselor License (SCL), or an NT endorsement in school counseling, or a preliminary authorization to work as a school counselor (with full licensure within one year).
• Minimum of 1-2 years working in an urban middle school setting is strongly preferred.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Employee's duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following: 

o Support University Prep Schools’ goal of maintaining 60-75% inner district middle school matriculation through various college counseling strategies and initiatives;

o Manage a school-wide caseload of students; 

o Facilitate annual Educational Planning (EDP) meetings with 7 providing in-depth guidance; utilizing career and interests assessment results as a resource;

o Utilize relevant theory to provide counseling services geared towards Personal/Social Development, with special emphasis with self-awareness and management of self;

o Consult and partner-plan with school administration and instructors on school policies and pertinent student cases;

o Facilitate, coordinate and attend college and career readiness events/activities; i.e. college tours, parent nights, college prep lectures, career expos, etc.;

o Coordinate admissions presentations with college admissions representatives; 7th and 8th grade student,

o Manage college office files for student caseloads and other pertinent college office resources;

o Utilize relevant technology platforms to manage college prep data and to promote student/parent engagement in college prep processes;

o Provide limited services in crisis intervention and general mental health concerns for students as scheduling permits;

o Make appropriate clinical referrals to partnering agencies for ongoing mental health services as identified;

o Conduct ongoing research and disseminate information on college admissions, financial aid, and other pertinent post-secondary planning resources;

o Attend school and district staff meetings as determined by school Principal;

o Attend professional development conferences in college admissions and financial aid as required;

o And perform these and other related duties as directed.