College Pathway Counselor, High School

About the role

The goal of this position is to develop, implement and promote activities that support student participation in a high school pathway leading to post-secondary success in a career, military service or college.

Responsibilities

• Provides a system of counseling and management to help students make appropriate career and academic decisions.
• Works collaboratively with school counselors, social workers and all staff for post-secondary planning.
• Identifies high risk students and assesses potential barriers that could undermine their academic or career success.
• Works collaboratively with students and families to develop a comprehensive post-secondary plan that aligns with the identified college or career related interests.
• Establishing relationships and collaborating with local resources, businesses, post-secondary institutions and military school recruiters for the purposes of:
  • dual enrollments,
  • post-secondary applications,
  • financial aid applications,
  • scholarship applications.
• Plans, recruits and coordinates post-secondary institution college visits, and career related field trips and college fairs.
• Creates and delivers professional development sessions for staff related to Career Readiness Indicators and platforms used to track the indicators.
• Prepares data reports as requested by administrators.
• Plans and publicizes the career center's programs and events such as workshops, job fairs, orientation sessions, parent informational sessions, etc.
• Plans or collaborates in the planning of test administration as directed by administration.
• Collaborates with faculty, staff and other student services divisions to help achieve school-wide goals and contribute to its long-range planning.
• Collaborates with and takes appropriate direction from the Supervisor of Career and College Readiness to assist with:
  • Contacting post-secondary institutions, military recruiters, and business partnerships.
  • Promoting dual enrollment programs with local colleges.
• Attends or assist with scheduling student services meetings should it be deemed necessary (IEP, 504 and Core team meetings).
• Participates in committee work for the School Counseling Department and Reading High School as directed by administrators.
• Participates and performs SAP team duties.
• Participates in assigned committee meetings.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the supervising administrators.

Qualifications

• Master's Degree in School Counseling or other relevant degree.
• Experience working with post secondary planning.
• 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 plan and implement conferences to discuss recommendations based on district and program objectives and the needs and abilities of students.
• 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 in a demanding service oriented environment and deal with constant interruptions.
• 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

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is continuously required to sit and talk or hear.
• Occasionally the employee will repeat the same hand, arm or finger motion many times.
• The employee must be able to attend meetings in the evening and at other locations.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision such as ability to read handwritten or typed material, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.
• The employee is frequently required to interact with the parents, public and other staff.
• The position requires the individual to meet multiple demands from several people and exhibit good human relation skills including courtesy, tact and patience.
• The employee is directly responsible for the safety, well-being and work output of students.