School Counselor - Lighthouse Connections Academy

Position Summary and Responsibilities

Working from our office in Southfield, Michigan, or a personal home office, the School Counselor will virtually assist students and guardians/Learning Coaches with course selection, scheduling, and will be the initial point of contact for student concerns that span multiple subject areas as well as non-academic issues.

• Become an expert on course and credit requirements
• Work with the Director or Manager of Counseling Services to establish counseling processes for middle and high school students
• Advises students and families related to academics, career planning, and graduation
• Keeps abreast of all high school graduation requirements, including special requirements such as community service, and communicates this information to the Director or Manager of Counseling and to the Principal
• Aids students and parents with the secondary school course selection process according to specific state credit and graduation requirements and student needs and interests
• Assists students and parents in developing a Four-Year Plan for meeting graduation requirements
• Reviews student transcripts and the entry of credits into the online transcript system
• Fulfills procedures to ensure that Academy transcripts are accurate and up to date
• Works with the administrative assistants to obtain school records from the student’s previous school (where applicable) and forwards student records when appropriate
• Engages in programs for students and families related to interpersonal adjustment issues
• Collaborates with school teams to identify and help families access school and community resources
• Serves as the main point of contact for students and families facing “at-risk” or “in crisis” situations
• Maintains the Personal Learning Plan (PLP) for each student
• Supports families through the school withdrawal process, assisting with data collection regarding withdrawal
• Reports and refers critical incidents that jeopardize student well-being as obligated by law, administrative regulations, or ethical standards
• Stays abreast of all state regulations relating to incident reporting and documentation
• Aids teachers when students enroll mid-semester, making sure that teachers receive guidance on integrating the students into their coursework, and ensures that previous grades, credits, and evaluations are handled appropriately
• Communicates with the Curriculum Team to ensure that curriculum offerings meet state requirements
• Assists with special programs such as Advanced Placement support, SAT and ACT Preparation, and college entrance preparation
• Helps students to research and understand their post-secondary career and educational options
• Aids students in preparing for college and job applications
• Coordinates high school graduation ceremonies
• Supports professional development activities for teachers and school staff members
• Assumes teaching and grading duties as necessary, including teaching middle school elective courses

Qualifications

• Michigan certification in School Counseling
• Michigan Department of Education School Counselor Requirements
• Michigan Residency required
• Strong leadership qualities and a commitment to goal-directed management and accountability
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
• Knowledge of Professional Learning Communities
• Customer-focused approach
• Flexible, ability to transition from task to task quickly
• Demonstrated ability to work well in fast-paced environment
• Team player
• Tech-savvy (especially with Microsoft Office products and Google Suite)
• Ability to work some occasional evening hours, as needed to support some families
• Must be able to use a personal electronic device and an email address for two-step authentication