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.

The School Counselor will become an expert on course and credit requirements, and will 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
• Advises students with issues related to dropping courses and changing schedules, seeking support as needed, while ensuring that the school’s course selection and drop policies are adhered to
• 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 forwarding 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 these students and families, communicating regularly with them
• Oversees and 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
• Assists teachers when students enroll mid-semester, making sure that teachers receive guidance on integrating the students into their coursework, and ensuring that previous grades, credits, and evaluations are handled appropriately
• Communicates with the Curriculum Team to ensure that curriculum offerings meet state requirements
• Implements 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
• Assists with student preparation of applications for college and jobs
• Edifies students and parents about college admissions requirements and financial aid
• 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