School Counselor - Minnesota Connections Academy

Position Summary and Responsibilities

Working from home, the School Counselor will virtually assist students and parents/learning coaches with course selection, scheduling, and will be the initial point of contact for student concerns spanning multiple subject areas as well as non-academic issues. Key responsibilities include:

• Advising students and families related to academics, career planning, and graduation;
• Keeping abreast of all high school graduation requirements, including special requirements like community service, and communicating this information;
• Aiding students and parents with secondary school course selection according to specific state credit and graduation requirements and student needs and interests;
• Assisting students with issues related to dropping courses and changing schedules, providing support as needed, while ensuring adherence to school policies;
• Reviewing student transcripts and entering credits into the online transcript system;
• Ensuring accuracy and up-to-date status of Connections Academy transcripts;
• Obtaining and forwarding student records from previous schools as needed;
• Implementing programs for students and families related to interpersonal adjustment issues;
• Working 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);
• Coordinating a team of middle and high school teachers to help identify students who are “at risk” or “in crisis,” and acting as the main point of contact for these students and families;
• Overseeing and maintaining the Personal Learning Plan (PLP) for each student;
• Securing complete and accurate records for Connections Academy students;
• Supporting families through the school withdrawal process, assisting with data collection regarding withdrawal;
• Reporting and referring critical incidents that jeopardize student well-being as obligated by law, administrative regulations, or ethical standards;
• Staying informed of all state regulations relating to incident reporting and documentation;
• Assisting teachers when students enroll mid-semester, guiding them on integrating new students into coursework, and ensuring previous grades, credits, and evaluations are handled appropriately;
• Communicating with the Curriculum Team to ensure curriculum offerings meet state requirements;
• Implementing special programs such as Advanced Placement support, SAT and ACT preparation, and college entrance preparation;
• Understanding and assisting with the administration of all high school testing, including exit exams, PSAT, SAT, ACT, and AP exams;
• Helping students research and understand their post-secondary career and educational options;
• Aiding students in preparing for college and job applications;
• Informing students and parents about college admissions requirements and financial aid;
• Supporting professional development activities for teachers and school staff members;
• Assuming teaching and grading duties as necessary, including teaching middle school elective courses;
• Coordinating high school graduation ceremonies.

Requirements

• MN certification in School Counseling;
• Strong technology skills (especially with Microsoft Office products);
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written;
• Customer-focused approach;
• Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills;
• High degree of flexibility;
• Team player with demonstrated leadership skills;
• Demonstrated ability to work well in fast-paced environments;
• Willingness to travel on occasion for marketing and state testing events (may require occasional overnight travel).

Note

Please note 2-step authentication is required to set up login to all systems if offered a job. The anticipated starting salary range for individuals expressing interest in this position begins at $44,500 per year. Benefits available to eligible employees can be seen at Career Benefits - Connections Academy.