High School Counselor - Iowa Connections Academy

About the role

The School Counselor will virtually assist students and parents/learning coaches with course selection, scheduling, and will be a key point of contact for student concerns spanning multiple subject areas and non-academic issues.

Responsibilities

• Advising students and families related to academics, career planning, and graduation
• Keeping abreast of all high school graduation requirements, including special requirements such as completion of a CPR course, and communicating this information to the Director of Student Services and other school administrators
• Aiding students and parents in the school course selection process, according to specific state credit and graduation requirements along with student needs and interests
• Offering guidance to students with issues related to withdrawing from courses, changing schedules, and seeking support as needed, while ensuring that the school's course selection and withdrawal policies are adhered to
• Contributing to the development and implementation of a K-12 comprehensive postsecondary exploration and planning annual framework
• Helping students to research and understand their post-secondary career and educational options
• Reviewing student transcripts and the entry of credits into the online transcript system
• Following procedures to ensure that Connections Academy transcripts are accurate and up to date
• Working with the Administrative Assistants to obtain school records from the student’s previous school (where applicable) and forwarding student records when appropriate
• Refining and developing asynchronous and synchronous referral processes and services for students and families related to social, emotional, behavioral, and mental health needs
• Collaborating with school teams to identify and help families access school and community resources
• Participating in the development of crisis prevention and management plans for the school and serving as a key member of the Student Support Team (SST)
• Collaborating with the broader Student Services Team to develop and implement practices that help accurately identify students who are “at risk” or “in crisis”
• Acting as a main point of contact for these students and families, communicating & supporting them regularly
• Contributing to and maintaining the Personal Learning Plan (PLP) for each student (as assigned)
• Prioritizing the implementation of standard operating procedures and securing complete and accurate records for Connections Academy students
• Serving as a Section 504 Coordinator

Qualifications

• Must possess, or be willing to acquire conditional licensure through the state of Iowa for any of the following in order to be properly licensed at the elementary and secondary levels: Professional School Counselor (5-12), Secondary School Counselor (5-12)
• Excellent communication skills, both oral (verbal and non-verbal) and written
• Strong technology skills (especially with Google Suite & Microsoft products)
• Ongoing, student-centered analysis of data
• Development & implementation of evidence-informed strategies and interventions
• Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills
• A high degree of flexibility
• Team player with demonstrated leadership skills
• Demonstrated ability to work well in a fast-paced environment
• Unconditional positive regard for all others
• Strong skills associated with personal emotional regulation and “EQ: Emotional Quotient”
• Willingness to travel on occasion for marketing, professional development, and/or state testing events (may require occasional overnight travel)
• Must be able to use a personal electronic device and email address for 2-step authentication