School Counselor - IDEA Lakeland (26-27)

IDEA Public Schools • Lakeland, FL

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The School Counselor at IDEA Public Schools leads the campus family engagement vision, social emotional learning program, and coordination of mental health and counseling supports for all scholars. This role is crucial in ensuring staff build authentic relationships with students and families, and that data maintenance and analysis effectively drive campus strategies. The School Counselor is responsible for ensuring all staff understand their roles in supporting students and families, have the necessary data for action, and are inspired to engage meaningfully, ultimately helping students achieve the academic and social skills needed for college. This work ensures schools are safe, emotionally supportive environments where students can learn, grow, and succeed.

Requirements

• Master's degree in School Counseling, Counseling, Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, or related field required
• Valid School Counselor Certification or Mental Health Provider License (Clinical Social Worker Intern, LCSW, LCSW-S, LMHC, LMHC Intern, LMFT-A, LMFT, School Counselor) required
• Proven track record of success
• Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to manage student behavior
• Belief in and alignment with IDEA’s mission and values is non-negotiable
• Ability to adjust and adapt to a multitude of situations in the school environment

Nice To Haves

• Previous experience in a school or school setting

Responsibilities

• Achieves/Owns Campus Goal of Overall Student Persistence by leading the execution of the school vision for retaining all students.
• Maintains caseload focused on individual/group counseling for at-risk students and refers students needing specialized services.
• Leads the planning and execution of student and family engagement events.
• Leads Professional Development for the entire campus to clarify staff roles in family engagement.
• Manages campus overall student persistence data, ensuring accuracy and reporting.
• Partners with grade level teams to identify and coordinate interventions for at-risk students.
• Leads parent conversations and problem-solves to meet student and family needs.
• Develops teachers to work with all students and families.
• Maintains knowledge of community agencies as a resource.
• Directs implementation of state-mandated guidance lessons for all students.
• Provides support through feedback, training, coaching, and developing teachers in working with students' social/emotional needs.
• Serves as a member of the Campus Crisis team.
• Conducts individual and group check-ins and advising meetings with students.
• Leads family communications platforms (Remind, Smore, Facebook).
• Administers parent surveys (Fall and Spring) to gather feedback and create strategic plans.
• Administers student surveys (Fall and Spring) to gather feedback on the IDEA experience.
• Ensures 100% of new students and families receive high-quality onboarding.
• Directs and manages campus team members in their role in family engagement for new student retention.
• Leads the planning and execution of specific new parent events.
• Ensures all new student onboarding is completed and operational support is given at new student and parent events.
• Owns campus new student persistence, ensuring data accuracy and reporting.
• Ensures new families and students build community and a sense of belonging within the first 10 days.
• Documents all interventions and crises/critical incidents in the district-wide documentation system.
• Collaborates with community agencies to coordinate services within the school system.
• Utilizes Student & Family Survey data to assess campus climate and culture.
• Serves as a member of the crisis response team.
• Connects students and families to community resources.
• Leads teacher and campus training on the Move This World curriculum.
• Identifies and utilizes best practice strategies for SEL curriculum integration.
• Conducts regular observations of Move This World blocks and provides feedback.
• Tracks curriculum progress and sends campus weekly updates.
• Conducts BOY and EOY assessments on SEL competencies, school climate, safety, and sense of belonging.
• Collaborates with key stakeholders to meet district expectations for family engagement and SEL priorities.
• Facilitates 4 Family Engagement Events (1 per quarter).
• Meets parent and student completion expectations in Fall and Spring survey administrations.
• Facilitates bullying prevention month and mental health awareness month activities.
• Manages and ensures crisis data accuracy and adherence to storing protocols.

Benefits

• Salaries typically fall between $60,000 and $70,000
• Eligible for a performance bonus based on team performance and goal attainment
• Comprehensive benefits plan
• Covers the majority of the employee premium for the base medical plan
• Subsidizes the majority of costs for a spouse/domestic partner and children
• Paid Family Leave: Up to 8 weeks of paid leave for birth or adoption of a child
• Tuition Reimbursement: Up to 50% of tuition paid toward a qualifying degree program, up to $5,250 maximum per year
• Employer-Paid Mental/Behavioral Health: 5 face-to-face counseling sessions within a year, unlimited 24/7 telephonic counseling, and other work-life services
• Dental and vision plans
• Disability insurance
• Life insurance
• Parenting benefits
• Flexible spending account options
• Generous vacation time
• Referral bonuses
• Professional development
• Employer paid 403(b) retirement matching of up to 4% of annual compensation
• Relocation allowance may be offered

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level