Counselor

POSITION TITLE: Academic & College Counselor

REPORTS TO: Dean of Academic & College Counseling

PURPOSE OF POSITION: The Academic & College Counselor serves as a pivotal figure in guiding students towards academic success and college readiness. This role involves providing comprehensive support to a designated cohort of students, ensuring their holistic development from 9th to 12th grade.

SUPERVISES: N/A

Full-Time

FSLA Status: Exempt

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

Academic Counseling:

• Provide expert guidanceand supportto students across grades 9-12, aiding in the formulation of strategic academic plans and thoughtful course selections.
• Understand and enforce academic policies.
• Conduct biannual individual meetings with students to craftacomprehensive four-year academic plan and address any academic challenges.
• Implement targeted academic support plans for thosewho arestruggling.
• Foster collaborative relationships with faculty, parents/guardians, and students to optimize academic support and student success.
• Collaborate with the Wellness Center and/or Learning Specialist to develop tailored academic and/or personal interventions for students, as needed.
• Assume responsibility for maintaining meticulous student academic records, including tracking students with academic deficiencies, updating graduation progress reports, and coordinating summer school enrollment.

College Counseling:

• Provide personalized support to students, assisting with college list development, application essay review, application submission, and resume refinement.
• Conduct individual and group counseling presentations tostudents and parents/guardians toaddress various aspects of the college application process.
• Craft compelling letters of recommendation for each student in the caseload, showcasing their academic achievements and personal attributes to prospective colleges.
• Actively participate in professional development activities such as admission representative visits to campus, national conferences, and/or regional workshops, to stay abreast of best practices in college admissions counseling.
• Cultivate relationships with college admissions representatives to advocate for students and stay informed about evolving admissions criteria.
• Develop and deliver workshops and webinars addressing topics the college admission process, such as college essay writing, UC/CSU applications, Financial Aid and Common Applications.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Offer compassionate social-emotional support to students as needed, connecting them with the Wellness Center for referrals and additional assistance.
• Collaborate with the Counseling Department to design and implement parent education programs and presentations.
• Assist in coordinating counseling events, including grade level meetings and honor award ceremonies.
• Counselor hours vary from the regular teaching day. There may be a need to fulfill added duties after school and on the occasional weekend.
• Fulfill additional duties as assigned byAdministration.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Possession of a Master’s Degree in School Counseling or a related field, with a preference for candidates holding a PPS Credential.
• Prior experience in guiding students through the college application process is required.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with a diverse student population and collaborate with parents and guardians in support of student success.
• Previous experience in a high school setting.
• Proficiency in delivering engaging presentations to both small and largegroups.
• Availability to attend evening meetings, professional development sessions, and off-campus activities as required.
• Thorough understanding and adherence to ethical and legal guidelines established by professional counseling associations such as the American School Counselor Association and NACAC.