Career Pathways Counselor, High School

About the role

The Career Pathways Counselor supports students and families in developing a plan that outlines the positions and training required to advance in a post-secondary, occupational or military career. This role works closely with local businesses, organizations, and colleges to network and build relationships.

Responsibilities

• Affords appropriate academic and career decisions to students by identifying barriers to post-secondary success and creating SMART goals and action steps to overcome these barriers.
• Collaborates with staff to identify the needs and strengths of students, develop post-secondary plans, ensure high-risk students receive appropriate accommodations, and communicate with students and families about their career paths.
• Coordinates and facilitates various opportunities for student exposure, including classroom lessons, hands-on activities, videos, digital media, interactive assessments, guest speakers, and career/college-based field trips.
• Promotes and publicizes clubs, homework/tutoring resources, summer programs, volunteer/internship programs, and RMCTC programs, as well as other activities that support students' career paths.
• Tracks completion of task completion in the career readiness platform, processes Reading-Muhlenberg CTC applications, and participates in committee work for the School Counseling Department and Reading High School.
• Attends or assists with scheduling student services meetings, such as IEP, 504, and Core team meetings.
• Performs SAP team duties and participates in the job shadowing program.

Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Counseling or Psychology or other relevant degree.
• Experience working with high school students in an urban setting.
• Current Pennsylvania Certificate as a Secondary School Counselor or other relevant certificate and required professional development.

Skills

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental or PDE regulations.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely in written or oral formats.
• Ability to write comprehensive evaluative reports and correspondence.
• Ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory to the guidance program.
• Ability to apply advanced problem-solving skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, peers, parents, and community.
• Ability to use appropriate language and accompanying techniques with adolescents on one to one bases as well as in groups.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and make work-related decisions.
• Ability to perform duties with awareness of all district requirements and Board of Education policies.

Physical Demands

• Continuous sitting and talking or hearing.
• Occasionally repeating the same hand, arm, or finger motions many times.
• Frequent interaction with the parents, public, and other staff.
• Constant interruptions.
• Close vision for reading handwritten or typed material.

Work Environment

• Quiet work environment.
• Directly responsible for the safety, well-being, and work output of students.