REAL Journey Academies (RJA) is a non-profit charter school. Our vision is that RJA schools will transform our communities by raising expectations for achievement, offering a high level of opportunity, and educating the next generation of leaders. We aim to impact and revitalize communities through the development of education and other supportive partnerships

Job Purpose:

Provide school counseling to further the goals of academic achievement, vocational direction, and personal-social development. The counselor will provide services which will enable the student to become aware of their own potential by utilizing their own resources as well as those of their environment so that they can maximize their efforts to become a more self-directed, fully-functioning individual. Every effort is made to help each student develop an understanding of self, use effective problem-solving techniques, and relate positively to others in a constantly changing world.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

In accordance with the Standards for the Counselor Profession, counselors work under the supervision of the director of counseling and in collaboration with their school staff, families and community and are responsible for the fulfillment of the essential duties set forth below:

• Individual student academic planning and goal setting
• Implements school counseling and guidance program curriculum: conduct counseling and guidance learning activities during the year in collaboration with the teaching staff.
• Participates in activities which contribute to the effective delivery of educational services: cooperate and collaborate with other professionals in enhancing the education of students; establish and maintain effective relationships with staff and administrators; communicate with administrators, teachers and staff, students, parents, and the community regarding the counseling and guidance program and its role in the educational program.
• Articulates with elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as post-secondary personnel to assist students in making a smooth transition between each.
• Confers with parents and assists them with problems and decisions which relate directly to the educational welfare of their child.
• Conducts structured, goal-oriented, short-term individual counseling, small and large group counseling sessions to assist students in exploring, interpreting and developing personal decision making competencies, to enhance self-esteem and self understanding; develop academic, career and personal/social life plans.
• Refers students and their parents to appropriate specialists, special programs, or outside agencies: consult and collaborate with school system specialists such as school psychologists, and nurses; consult with and refer to community-based resources including psychologists, psychiatrists, physicians, service agencies, and others.
• Promoting cultural understanding.
• Participates as a member of the school site's Crisis Response Team.
• Review the counseling and guidance program annually with other district counselors and administrators; establish a planning calendar for counseling and guidance program activities.
• Attends district in-services and pupil services meetings as required.
• Pursues professional growth.
• Advises students in developing appropriate course choices based on long range plans of study and identified career interests.
• Works with teachers, the Guidance Team and parents in effectuating remediation plans for students with attendance, behavior and learning problems.
• Collects, coordinates, interprets and disseminates meaningful information about students which leads to the collaboration with other professionals to address students’ individual needs and special abilities.
• Uses tools and techniques to appraise and assess the abilities, achievements, personal development and interests of students.
• Collaborates with administrators and teachers to support behavior issues by developing and implementing behavior support plans for students Reviews, evaluates, and maintains students' academic records.
• Guides students in developing present and future educational and career plans; interprets assessments to assist students in career and educational planning; guides students in developing career and educational plans through teaching and/or supervision of career development activities.
• Coordinates opportunities and identifies students to participate in visits to college campuses, vocational institutions and the like.
• Other duties as assigned.

Desired Skills and Traits:

• Knowledge of how to access community resources
• Detail oriented and strong in follow through
• Ability to develop rapport and trust with students

Minimum Requirements:

• Possess a Master’s degree in School Counseling or related field from an accredited institution with Pupil Personnel Services credential in School Counseling
• Must have current valid California Pupil Personnel Services Credential in school counseling
• Experience working with at-risk children

Physical demands:

• Ability to exert up to 10 pounds of force to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects
• Occasional or frequent standing, walking, sitting, bending, stooping and reaching for extended periods of time
• Occasional computer work including but not limited to typing

Compensation & Benefits:

This is an outstanding opportunity for a highly motivated counselor to assume a fundamental role in an innovative school environment.

REAL Journey Academies offers its employees a competitive salary, commensurate with experience. We pride ourselves in offering a competitive benefits package that includes:

Benefits and Perks:

• Comprehensive HMO/PPO Medical, Dental and Vision Plans
• Virtual Medical Visits
• Health Savings Account
• Up to 12 Vacation Days
• 10 Paid Holiday Schedule
• Company Paid Life & Disability Insurance
• Employer matched retirement plans (403b and CalSTRS)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Discount Program
• Legal Insurance
• Additional voluntarily health benefits
• Opportunities for Growth & Development