High School Guidance Counselor

About the position

The High School Guidance Counselor will help every student to thrive academically and socially in an academic setting and will be responsive to students' individual needs in order to achieve success, with the goal of ensuring that all students are college- and career-ready upon graduating from High School.

Responsibilities

• Work with students on an individual basis seeking a solution to personal problems such as: home and family relations, adjusting to a school program, health, social and emotional disturbances.
• Communicate and collaborate with students, parents, teachers, and/or outside agencies to help students to be successful.
• Assist students in their selection of courses, ensuring students' course selections meet their individual learning needs as well as state graduation and testing requirements.
• Prepare annually a course catalog including required and elective courses.
• Create and maintain the master schedule, and work with students, teachers, and administrators on schedule changes.
• Host parent nights to provide important information regarding course selection, college application process, and financial aid.
• Communicate and collaborate with local universities to stay abreast of higher education expectations, policies, and important updates.
• Assist students in scheduling college visits or job shadow experiences.
• Assist students in developing plans for work study or internships.
• Communicate regularly with parents and students about upcoming events, deadlines, and scholarship availability.
• Communicate regularly and often with parents of students at-risk for not graduating high school or for dropping out.
• Assist students in college selection and application, including the timely transmission of student records and recommendation letters.
• Coordinate with administration an absence intervention plan for truant students.
• Collaborate with administration and teachers to develop intervention plans for students with academic or behavioral issues.
• Work to discover and develop special interests and abilities of students.
• Arrange for tutors for students, as needed.
• Collaborate with the school psychologist and teachers in areas of referrals for testing and placement.
• Assist administrators with all state and district assessment coordination and administration.
• Coordinate college-readiness assessment administration and secure and train test proctors to assist in the administration.
• Serve as liaison to Great Oaks to recruit and support career technical students.
• Orient new students to the school, to school procedures and various opportunities for learning.
• Schedule a private conference with each student at least once during the school year to check in and discuss progress towards goals.
• Maintain confidentialities of student records and make sure all student records are properly updated, as needed.
• Communicate and collaborate with outside agencies for student support.
• Establish meetings with small groups on special topics relating to the overall physical and mental health and well-being of students.
• Advise administration and teachers on matters of concern for students regarding physical, emotional, social, educational, or financial needs.
• Collaborate with the Elementary School administration and guidance staff to assist 5th grade students in their transition to 6th grade.
• Collaborate with the High School administration and guidance staff to assist 8th grade students in their transition to 9th grade.
• Implement a career advising curriculum for students in grades 6-8.
• Collaborate with administration to arrange for guest speakers for students.
• Stay abreast of NCAA changes and requirements for eligibility for students interested in collegiate athletics and communicate requirements regularly to students and parents.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the principal.

Requirements

• Master's degree in School Counseling.
• Successful teaching experience and/or experience working with youth is preferred.
• Valid Counselor's license issued by the Ohio Department of Education.

Nice-to-haves

• Must have a positive and enthusiastic attitude and the ability to work well with others.
• Must be empathetic and have excellent communication (verbal and non-verbal) and teaming skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of student, staff, or sensitive information is non-negotiable.
• Ability to perform duties with awareness of district requirements and BOE policies.
• Must have excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Must be able to provide demonstrated leadership in the execution of communication strategies.
• Must be able to work independently.
• Pushing the agenda and goals of the school district is imperative.
• Political acumen and organizational support is strong focus as well.

Benefits

• Retirement
• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance - 100% paid by District
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Mental Health Benefits
• Paid Time Off