School Counselor (9-12) (26-27 SY)

About Us

Since its founding in 2010, Challenge Preparatory Charter School (Challenge Prep) has provided students and families with a successful academic program in Far Rockaway, Queens. We currently serve over 1200 scholars from Kindergarten to 12th grade across 3 sites. Our school’s mission is to prepare students from the greater Far Rockaway community to excel academically, to demonstrate mastery of the NY State Learning Standards, and to achieve their career aspirations. Challenge cultivates and supports the intellectual, aesthetic, social, emotional, and ethical development of its students and prepares them to be responsible 21st century citizens.

To accomplish its mission, Challenge offers a rigorous instructional program in a safe, supportive, technology-infused and data-enriched environment with a focus on social-emotional learning, authentic field experiences, career counseling, and college coursework. It is understood that we are one organization with multiple sites, and it is expected that all members of the team collaborate to support all of our scholars.

About the Role

The school counselor will work with all constituencies of the school community to create an environment of social-emotional support for every student. The school counselor will oversee the mandated counseling schedule, program students individually to ensure they are on the appropriate path of academic and social-emotional success. This role reports directly to the Principal and is supported by the Director of Pupil and Personnel Services.

Responsibilities

• Counsel students, individually and in groups, regarding academic readiness, discipline-related guidance issues, social and emotional development, conflict mediation, and making appropriate referrals.
• Teach guidance classes and provide guidance counseling to students through planned activities in small group or classroom settings to convey educational, social, and important school information; offer workshops/seminars for parents.
• Collaborate with teachers and the school-based support team on implementing behavior intervention plans to support the academic, social, and emotional development of students; collaborate with the elementary leadership team on disciplinary decisions, understanding student behaviors, and knowledge of the CPCS discipline code.
• Participate on the Child Study Team, identify students who may need targeted or intensive services, and coordinate with the elementary leadership team.
• Identify and make appropriate referrals to meet and support students' academic, social, and/or mental health needs; address teacher recommendations for individual students’ needs.
• Participate in regular faculty development and collaborate on the school’s guidance program.
• Communicate, coordinate, and collaborate with the elementary leadership team on developing and implementing student supports.
• Support and attend appropriate student activities and events.
• Advocate for scholars at IEP meetings and other student-focused meetings.
• Use data analysis to identify student issues, needs, and challenges.
• Act as a systems change agent to improve equity and access, achievement, and opportunities for all students.

Requirements

• Evidence of success in forming successful partnerships with community-based organizations and other organizations that offer social and emotional supports to students.
• Willingness to carry out the above duties and responsibilities; evidence of successful counseling strategies regarding academic readiness, discipline-related guidance issues, social and emotional development, conflict mediation, crisis intervention, and willingness to offer leadership to staff around these areas.
• Knowledge of and experience with contemporary issues that affect children living in high poverty communities and provide strategies to staff in promoting social and emotional competence throughout the building.
• Commitment to developing professional goals and objectives in collaboration with the administration that will monitor progress and assess effectiveness in enhancing student development and achievement.
• Success in working collaboratively with colleagues, parents/caregivers, and partners.
• Ability to retrieve, organize, and report student data using chosen Student Information System (SIS).
• Licensed and certified Guidance Counselor with satisfactory ratings and attendance.
• Minimum of three (3) years of satisfactory guidance experience preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate, both written and oral, effectively.
• Strong teamwork ethic.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary based on skills and experience, set through a lens of equity.
• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.
• 403(b) retirement benefit package with employer match and Paid Family Leave.
• Flexible spending accounts for health, dependent care, and transit.
• Flexible and reflective leadership with dedicated staff development, team cohesion, and shared responsibility for decision-making.
• Professional development opportunities including weekly PD, year-round training, and ongoing coaching.
• Opportunities to sit on various committees and participate in initiatives central to key organizational decisions and strategic planning.

Pay

$77,000 - $90,000 a year. The salary is based on your year(s) of NYS elementary counseling experience and education.

Schedule

This full-time position begins in mid-August and goes through the end of June.

School site: Grades 9-12, 15-20 Central Avenue, Far Rockaway, NY 11691.