School Counselor - Washington Connections Academy

Responsibilities

• Counseling Roles:
  • Advises students and families related to academics, career planning, and graduation.
  • Keeps abreast of all high school graduation requirements and communicates this information to the High School Coordinator and principal.
  • Aids in the secondary school course selection process according to specific state credit and graduation requirements and student needs and interests.
  • Assists students and parents 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.
  • Follows procedures to ensure that Connections Academy transcripts are accurate and up-to-date.
  • Works with administrative assistants to obtain school records from the student’s previous school (where applicable) and forwards student records when appropriate.
  • Implements programs for students and families related to interpersonal adjustment issues.
  • Collaborates with school teams to identify and help families access school and community resources.
  • Coordinates a team of high school teachers to help identify students who are “at risk” or “in crisis,” acts as the main point of contact for these students and families, and communicates regularly with them.
  • Implements efforts to secure complete and accurate records for Connections Academy students.
  • 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.
  • Helps students research and understand their post-secondary career and educational options.
  • Aids in student preparation of applications for college and jobs; educates students and parents about college admissions requirements and financial aid.
  • Collaborates closely with School Counselor and Director of Special Education.
  • Supports professional development activities for teachers and school staff members.
  • Coordinates high school graduation ceremonies.
  • Monitors progress of students on an ongoing basis and works additionally with students who are struggling.
• Contact Roles:
  • Communicates regularly with parents/learning coaches on their caseload to ensure that their academic and non-academic counseling needs, child welfare needs, social and emotional concerns, are addressed in a timely and appropriate fashion.
  • Collaborates with teachers and learning coaches to ensure, develop, and implement program supports for all students.
• Community Roles:
  • Works with school staff to coordinate and attend social activities and relevant field trips for students and families, as required within school policy.
  • Devises and implements virtual methods of creating and maintaining a “school community.”
  • Participates in the administration of the state testing, including in-person proctoring of WIDA and/or SBAC/WCAS testing at various locations around the state of Washington.
  • Participates in student recruiting sessions and other marketing efforts that require staff representation.
  • Attends and participates in in-person training sessions and team-building activities scheduled throughout the school year and throughout the state of Washington.
• Behind-The-Scenes Roles:
  • Works collaboratively and often within a professional learning community of grade- or content-level instructional staff to review student progress data related to a team-determined SMART goal, with the goal of the data driving instruction and support, and improving teaching practices.
  • Works with Advisory Teachers and Teachers to ensure students and families are receiving appropriate communications, students are making adequate progress, and established goals are being met within WSLP and/or graduation frameworks.
  • Attends and participates in in-person training sessions and team-building activities scheduled throughout the school year and throughout the state of Washington.
  • 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.
  • Takes part in all assigned professional development and training, synchronous and asynchronous, including state-required training in SEL and DEI, and actively seeks additional opportunities to grow and learn in the role.
  • Completes the duties of an assigned or volunteered-for representative or Career Ladder position that has a school-wide focus (examples include, and are not exclusive to, Attendance Rep, Communication Rep, or Elective Rep).

Requirements

• Washington Educational Staff Associate certification as a School Counselor.
• Residence in Washington preferred.
• Team player track record, highly flexible, and with a demonstrated ability to work well in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated strong technology skills (especially Microsoft Office and Google Suite products, synchronous classroom programs such as Zoom, third-party educational software such as Nearpod, and data collection and examination tools, including spreadsheets and databases).
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, with the ability to communicate (listen and speak) effectively and appropriately with staff, students, and families from a wide range of cultural, ethnic, and linguistic backgrounds.
• Excellent attention to detail, with proven time management and organizational skills, especially when working independently.
• Demonstrated ability to work with colleagues to foster and encourage an inclusive work and school environment that is supportive of different groups of individuals, including people of different races, ethnicities, religions, abilities, genders, and sexual orientations.
• Student- and family-focused approach, with demonstrated ability to create an inclusive and culturally responsive classroom environment that supports and recognizes students of diverse backgrounds and identities.
• Ability to travel for one, possibly two, weeks at a time for key school events, including overnight travel (including, but not limited to: back-to-school training, state testing, graduation ceremony, marketing events, and field trips).
• Must be able to use a personal electronic device and email address for 2-step authentication.