Career Counselor

About the role

Responsible for delivering counseling services to assigned residential and non-residential students in personal and social development, career employment, and behavior. Provides individual and group counseling and crisis intervention to all students.

Responsibilities

• Contact assigned students prior to scheduled arrival to welcome them, provide information about the center, reiterate behavioral standards and expectations, and ensure students are ready to enroll and complete the program.
• Meet and greet assigned arrivals at the designated time on the center or at the determined travel termination point.
• Provide ongoing intensive interventions with students accumulating NIRs, unexcused absences, and intervention case notes.
• Conduct and document an intake assessment, including student history, during the first 24 hours of enrollment. Submit a copy to the Health and Wellness center for review and inclusion in the student health record.
• Provide ongoing structured, scheduled, and documented individual social development and adjustment counseling weekly during CPP (first 60 days) and monthly thereafter. Document sessions in case notes.
• Schedule and conduct monthly group support sessions addressing specific issues such as abuse, relationships, child care, homesickness, language, and cultural barriers.
• Ensure each assigned student attends a group or enhancement program.
• Provide support and collaboration with other staff, weekly contact with CPP students (first 60 days), establish personal and career goals, and reduce early separations (pre-90 days).
• Establish positive interventions with individuals and groups of students performing positively, including activities both on and off-center.
• Manage and monitor caseload with frequent CTT and academic classroom visits to observe students and interact with staff.
• Collaborate with residential, recreation, career transition, and instructional staff to case manage student progress, concerns, and achievement of PCDP and other goals.
• Identify students needing more intensive services and refer them to appropriate services, ensuring intervention, implementation, and documentation of strategies for personal issues, including mental health, medical issues, and English Language Learners.
• Ensure maintenance of records of individual counseling sessions are documented in case notes using the RAP format: Reason, Assessment, and Plan of action with follow-up.
• Ensure all documentation occurs the same day as contact, with exceptions kept to a minimum.
• Document all interventions (both positive and negative) appropriately in case notes or counseling files.
• Implement safeguards to protect personal information about individual students under the Privacy Act and advise students accordingly.
• Collaborate with each student to initiate a Personal Career Development Plan (PCDP), documenting personal career goals, training needs, challenges, and progress throughout enrollment and post-center Career Transition Period.
• Update student's PCDP on an ongoing basis, no less frequently than at each student's regularly scheduled progress evaluation. Provide students with copies of their PCDPs whenever changes are made and at separation.
• Ensure availability of counseling services on weekends and during emergencies.
• Provide support services, including assisting with UA retrieval, conferring with parents, admissions counselors, career transition specialists, and social service agencies, and providing referrals to community resources.
• Stay current on industry certifications offered and requirements for attainment.
• Interact and share information with other departments and community resources to ensure coordinated delivery of services to students.
• Ensure each student participates in ongoing evaluations, with appropriate staff, at least every 60 days.
• Provide each student with a schedule of individualized projects and activities to assist in meeting Career Success Standards where a "Needs Improvement" rating is received.
• Participate actively in Career Management Team (CMT) panels for students transitioning into CPD and CTR/CTS. Ensure PCDPs are updated, resumes uploaded, transitional needs assessments completed, and job search strategies recorded.
• Conduct and document UA retrieval efforts in CIS and forward UA occurrence documentation to student records. Assist students in arranging return transportation at their request and expense.
• Monitor, encourage, support, and enforce center attendance rules.
• Assist students in requesting and obtaining approval of leaves and passes. Safeguard minor students in accordance with parental or guardian limitations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Proficiency with advanced Microsoft Office applications including Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Excel.
• Computer literacy with basic functions, email, internet, and programs such as Adobe Acrobat.
• High level of communication, interpersonal skills, and organizational skills.
• Ability to motivate, inspire, and counsel students effectively.
• Knowledge of career planning, job search strategies, and interview preparation.

Qualifications

• One year of experience in counseling or a related field.
• Bachelor's degree, including 15 semester hours of instruction in social services-related instruction.
• Valid State Driver's License.

Benefits

• Paid Short Term / Long Term Disability and Basic Life Insurance.
• Health care insurance available (medical, dental, vision, critical illness, accident, HSA, and FSA).
• Paid Holidays.
• Paid Time Off.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match.
• Tuition Reimbursement.
• Employee Assistance Counseling Service Programs.