Guidance Counselor - I

Charter Schools USA (CSUSA) is one of the largest and highest performing education management companies in the United States, proudly serving over 82,000 students in over 150 schools across four states. Founded by Jonathan Hage in 1997, CSUSA's mission is a Relentless Commitment to Student Greatness in School and in Life™. CSUSA provides an academically rigorous education to students, equipping them with real-world readiness and preparing them for college or career after graduation. With an unwavering dedication to the success of students from every background, CSUSA is closing the gaps in achievement and opportunity, keeping the promise of Strong Minds, Good Hearts™.

About the Role

If you love inspiring and motivating young learners and want to put students first in education, CSUSA is the right place for you. As a Guidance Counselor I, you will help students achieve personal fulfillment by providing guidance and counseling services to support successful personal, educational, and occupational life plans.

Responsibilities

• Assists students in evaluating their aptitudes and abilities through teacher comments, interpretation of individual standardized test scores, and other pertinent data.
• Works with students to evolve educational and career plans based on evaluations.
• Provides individual counseling sessions for assigned students to address personal needs affecting school performance, educational plans, and career goals.
• Conducts small and large group counseling sessions to address students' personal, educational, and career plans.
• Assists students in course selections and the scheduling process.
• Works to prevent students from dropping out of school and assists those who do in finding alternative educational programs.
• Assists in making arrangements for enrollment in summer school programs to address noted deficiencies.
• Participates in follow-up studies of former students to improve services and evaluate the effectiveness of the educational program.
• Provides emergency support to students during crises.
• Provides students with college financial aid/scholarship resources and assists with college selection (High School).

Staff Consultation

• Serves as a consultant to faculty concerning matters related to guidance services.
• Confers with staff regarding students with problems and/or special needs.
• Serves as a resource person for administration in matters relating to students and guidance services; provides thorough and timely reports, data, etc., as requested.

Student and Parent Orientation

• Provides new students with orientation and information relative to school procedures, curriculum, and extra-curricular opportunities.
• Participates in planning and implementing programs that contribute to a smooth transition between grade levels and/or to post-secondary education, including orientation programs for students and parents.
• Serves as a resource for information regarding the educational program, activities, and services of the school.

Record Keeping

• Supervises the maintenance of cumulative records for assigned students in accordance with state and federal laws, regulations, and CSUSA policy.
• Provides information and prepares recommendations to colleges for admissions and scholarships, as well as to potential employers and other agencies for assigned students.
• Maintains counseling records (e.g., summaries, logs) regarding conferences or other sessions with assigned students.

Assessment

• Assists in the administration of state-mandated and CSUSA assessment programs.
• Reviews and interprets results of assessment programs for assigned students and utilizes results for counseling purposes.
• Contributes to the evaluation of current curriculum offerings.
• Assists in developing and implementing an evaluation plan for the guidance program and utilizes results to determine strengths and areas in need of improvement.

School and Community Relations

• Strives to establish cooperative relations and communicates with parents when necessary and appropriate.
• Utilizes community resources to develop and enhance guidance services and activities.
• Cooperates and shares professionally with members of the staff.
• Assists in interpreting the Guidance Services Program within the school and community.
• Assists community agencies and resource people who deal with students' needs.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university or equivalent.
• Possession of valid certification for Guidance Counselor.
• Minimum three (3) years of successful teaching or counseling services experience.
• Successful results of criminal and employment background check.

Skills

• Demonstrates enthusiasm and commitment toward the position and the mission of the company.
• Strong time management and organizational skills with the ability to prioritize effectively and complete work with little supervision within agreed timelines.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with teachers, students, parents, the community, and administrative staff.
• Excellent communication skills: oral (including presentations), written, interpersonal (active listening), negotiating, and influencing.
• Ability to be at work consistently, on time, follow instructions, respond to management direction, and solicit feedback to improve performance.
• Proficient experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Student Information System (SIS), and email communications.
• Ability to demonstrate flexible and creative management of disciplinary issues.
• Ability to provide a supportive role to the Principal.
• Detailed knowledge of Federal, State, and local requirements for K-12 schools and charter school law.
• Commitment to company values and a relentless focus on improving and promoting quality while demonstrating accuracy and thoroughness.
• Strives to research, evaluate, and implement best practices.

Work Environment

While performing the responsibilities of this position, the work environment includes usual school conditions. The environment may be noisy during high student traffic.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• No significant physical exertion required.
• Somewhat stressful due to frequent student activity.
• Light work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force as frequently as needed to move objects.