School Counselor

ALTA VISTA INNOVATION HIGH SCHOOL 

Full-Time, Monday - Friday 8:00 am 3:30 pm.

Help Us Change Lives

We live by the motto that “There is a Student in Front of Everything We Do” and we are very passionate about it. Do you have a passion to work with students? If so, then this is an exciting opportunity for you! You’ll have the opportunity to work with a diverse group of students supporting their growth and development. Remember the person who made a difference in your life? Now it’s your turn.

Learn more about us at https://learn4life.org/

How You Will Make an Impact

Following the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Model multi-tiered multi-domain system of support (MTMDSS), the School Counselor will address the needs of all students by facilitating their academic, personal/social development, and career development as well as helping create a positive and safe learning experience. The School Counselor will assist students as they face issues and resolve problems that prevent their healthy development utilizing trauma-informed practices. The School Counseling support is delivered through the following components: Guidance Curriculum, Individual Planning, Responsive Services, Referral, Consultation, and Collaboration. The School Counselors primary role is to support students with any barriers hindering their progress as they work towards completing their high school diploma and begin their post-secondary plan. This position will collaborate and consult with teachers and other school personnel in providing them with strategies, support, and resources that will contribute to the students success.

RESPONSIBILITIES/DUTIES: This list is illustrative only and is not intended to be a comprehensive list of tasks performed by this classification. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Personal/Social Development Domain

• Provide school-wide prevention and intervention strategies and counseling services
• Provide counseling and mentoring for students struggling with social and emotional problems utilizing trauma-informed support and services
• Collaborate with School Social Workers and School Psychologist
• Provide support and guidance to School Social Worker intern as a preceptor, if applicable
• Work with school personnel and community agencies to provide support services to behaviors that interfere with academic success
• Reinforce executive functioning skills, such as but not limited to communication and social skills, problem solving, anger management, self-regulation, optimism, and resilience
• Enhance understanding and acceptance of diverse cultures and backgrounds Provide referrals to community support services
• Cultivate relationships with community and government organizations
• Respond to crises by providing direct services and coordination with appropriate community services

Academic Domain

• Advocate for the high academic achievement of all students
• Support student skills, attitudes, and knowledge that contribute to effective learning
• Apply knowledge of various counseling techniques to improve and support student retention
• Assist students in developing strategies to achieve success in school
• Assist students in understanding the relationship of academics to careers, life at home, and in the community
• Design and implement interventions that support student success
• As part of a multidisciplinary team, review eligibility for special education services

College & Career Domain

• Encourage all students to engage in life-long learning and develop career paths
• Provide the foundation for the acquisition of skills, attitudes, and knowledge that empowers students to make a successful transition from school to career
• Provide a comprehensive plan of career awareness, exploration, and preparation
• Support postsecondary opportunities through presentations and special events (e.g. guest speakers, college fairs, college trips)
• Assist students in navigating the college search and application process
• Facilitate college admission and financial aid workshops for students and parents
• Assist with testing processes and information pertinent to college (e.g. PSAT, SAT, ACT, etc.)
• Develop and maintain relationships with local colleagues and employment programs

Counseling Program and School-Wide Collaboration

• Adhere to State Standards for the School Counselor Profession, and Ethical Standards for School Counselors
• Provide consultation, training, and staff development to teachers and parents regarding students needs
• Collaborate with the School Administrators to implement school-wide programs that help maintain positive school climates
• Serve as a liaison to students that are in foster care, experiencing homelessness and justice-involved youth
• Promote school policies and practices that ensure the safety of all students by reducing school violence, bullying, and harassment
• Participate in staff meetings, professional development, graduation, and school activities
• Complete other counseling related tasks and duties as directed by the Principal to support teachers and collaborate with Administrators, Student Retention, School Psychologist, Lead Teacher and other staff to promote student success and retention
• Document information in the student information database; complete school related forms
• Administrative duties, responsibilities, and activities may be assigned or changed from time to time

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, LICENSES, CERTIFICATION, ETC.

• Ability to initiate, develop, and coordinate programs and services based on student/site needs
• Ability to work collaboratively with all stakeholders
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks
• Ability to effectively handle challenging and sensitive situations with students, parents, and staff
• Ability to work with a variety of learning styles and abilities, including those with special needs and low skill level
• Ability to develop varied approaches to a problem and/or situation
• Ability to grasp new concepts; Adapt to, and support change
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Strong professional collaborative skills

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• MA/MS degree in School Counseling or related field required
• Valid California Pupil Personnel Services Credential required; authorization in School Counseling preferred; or participating in a state-approved school counseling credential program
• Experience with individual and group counseling sessions
• Experience working with at-risk student populations
• Experience with prevention, intervention, developmental, and crisis counseling
• College, community, and social/youth agency partnerships
• Use of data to inform decisions and drive continuous improvement
• Experience using student information databases or software applications
• Intermediate or Advanced, or Expert skills in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)

TRAVEL: Ability to travel in performance of job duties is required

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Mental Demands: high workflow management, high project coordination.
• Finger Dexterity: using primarily just the fingers to make small movements such as typing, picking up small objects, or pinching fingers together.
• Talking: especially where one must convey detailed or important instructions or ideas accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Average Hearing: able to hear average or normal conversations and receive ordinary information.
• Average Visual Abilities: ordinary acuity necessary to prepare or inspect documents or operate machinery.
• Physical Strength: sedentary work. Sitting most of the time, and occasionally exerts up to 10 lbs. of force (almost all office jobs).
• Frequent multi-tasking, changing of task priorities, repetitious exacting work required.
• Working in a noisy, distracting environment with frequent deadline pressures.