Counselor on Special Assignment-College, Career, and Civic Readiness

RCSD•Rochester, NY

About The Position

The College and Career Readiness Counselor is a certified professional responsible for providing comprehensive school counseling and career readiness services, collaborating with the Student Support Services and College, Career, Readiness departments to implement college and career readiness programming across select middle and high schools within the district. This role supports the implementation of the RCSD College, Career, and Civic Readiness Framework in alignment with the ASCA Comprehensive School Counseling Model. The counselor assists students in developing academic, social-emotional (SEL), and professional (“C-suite”) skills necessary for success after high school. The position focuses on postsecondary planning, career exploration, and coordinating Work-Based Learning (WBL) opportunities that connect classroom instruction to real-world experiences. The counselor collaborates with students, families, teachers, administrators, and community partners to ensure that all students are prepared for graduation and viable postsecondary pathways. The ideal candidate demonstrates a strong collaborative work ethic, commitment to high performance, flexibility, active participation in district culture, and continuous improvement efforts.

Requirements

Master’s degree in School Counseling or related field
Minimum of two (2) years of school counseling experience, with demonstrated impact on student achievement
Strong knowledge of social-emotional learning (SEL), college and career readiness, workforce pathways, and culturally responsive practices
Knowledge of labor market trends and career pathways

Nice To Haves

Candidates will be required to complete a NYS WBL asynchronous, self-paced, online certification program prior to second semester (January 2027). Tuition reimbursement available.
Completion of two Work-Based Learning (WBL) certification courses (district-funded after hire)
Completion of ASCA Specialist training (district-funded after hire)
Experience coordinating internships or WBL programs preferred
Strong interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills
Ability to engage diverse student populations and community stakeholders
Demonstrated leadership and ability to provide and receive constructive feedback
Proficiency in technology tools (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace)

Responsibilities

Lead the implementation and continuous evaluation of the CCCR Framework and a data-driven College & Career Comprehensive School Counseling Plan.
Participate in and co-lead district-level college, career and civic readiness counseling initiatives
Provide and facilitate professional development, advice/support, and training for counselors and stakeholders
Analyze data regularly to inform program decisions and improve student outcomes
Support the Career and Financial Management Asynchronous class initial credit through Virtual Academy.
Develop and implement initiatives that elevate student voice and leadership in civic readiness programs and decision-making
Provide individual and group counseling focused on college and career readiness
Assist students with college applications, financial aid (including FAFSA), and scholarships
Guide course selection aligned with graduation requirements and career goals
Support the development of Individual Career and Academic Plans (ICAPs)
Guide students in aligning their career interests and goals with specific technical certifications and high-demand industry sectors
Administer and interpret career assessments
Facilitate career exploration activities (career fairs, guest speakers, industry panels)
Teach employability skills including resume writing, interviewing, and professional communication
Drive comprehensive career readiness through the utilization of the NYS CDOS standards framework to guide students in developing and updating Individual Career and Academic Plans (ICAPs), connecting classroom learning directly to post-secondary goals, and meeting requirements for CDOS credential.
Partner with faculty to embed CDOS universal foundation skills—including collaboration, problem-solving, and technology literacy—into daily student goal-setting and career readiness activities.
Coordinate and facilitate CDOS Option 2 exam.
Develop, implement, and oversee WBL programs (internships, job shadowing, apprenticeships, and cooperative education), including travel with students and coordinating pick up/drop off before, during, and after school.
Build and maintain partnerships with local businesses, community organizations, and industry leaders
Match students with WBL opportunities aligned to their interests and career goals and maintain records required for NYS graduation credits.
Conduct site visits and assess workplace experiences
Oversee the NYSED program approval and re-registration process for all building-level work-based learning programs to maintain valid state compliance on the required five-year cycle.
Coordinate and deliver state-mandated related classroom instruction and seminars covering workplace safety, labor laws, and soft skills.
Conduct routine, documented site visits to student workplaces to monitor progress, assess the alignment of tasks with the WBL training plan, and evaluate safety compliance in partnership with the employer
Partner with CTE instructors, special education faculty, and school counselors to identify and eliminate systemic barriers, ensuring equitable student access to specialized WBL placements.
Manage all Advisory Committee processes, including maintaining a current listing with contact information, supervising and coordinating meetings, keeping records, and providing assistance to teachers regarding their program's Advisory Committees.
Facilitate the attainment and documentation of working papers.
Facilitate building-level implementation of CTE curriculum pathways, ensuring alignment with NYS guidelines and industry standards.
Partner with school counselors, teachers, and families to design and lead educational workshops that connect "Portrait of a Graduate" competencies directly to personalized graduation pathways and future career readiness.
Act as the primary bridge and content expert between classroom teachers, the counseling department, and district-level CTE leadership to ensure cohesive and personalized student career pathways.
Advocate for equitable student access to specialized career pathways, industry credentials, and technical assessments
Collaborate with teachers, administrators, and families to support student success
Serve as a liaison between schools, post-secondary institutions, employers, and community partners
Organize college visits, campus tours, and career-related events
Coordinate and streamline on-campus college and career partnerships
Coordinate building-level middle school outreach and recruitment initiatives to showcase unique CTE pathways and opportunities during the high school selection process.
Organize and facilitate student field experiences, industry tours, and workplace site visits to provide early, authentic exposure to regional employment sectors.
Utilize strengths-based communication strategies to publicly celebrate student milestone achievements and promote diverse career pathway options across the school community.
Plan and implement events to increase student and family engagement in college and career readiness, CTE pathways, graduation credit options, and the "Portrait of a Graduate" framework.
Connect students and families to school and community-based college and career resources
Coordinate outreach to local business and industry partners to secure a comprehensive continuum of career mentoring opportunities, spanning career awareness, exploration, technical education, post-secondary training, and career placement.
Track student outcomes related to college enrollment, career placement, and WBL participation
Maintain accurate records and generate reports for continuous program improvement
Utilize strengths-based, positive communication strategies to promote career pathways, celebrate student milestones, and elevate diverse success stories across the school community.
Compile, track, and share public pathway data with stakeholders to identify trends, ensure equitable student access, and advocate for resources that reduce barriers to program completion.