Guidance Counselor Department Chairperson

The Guidance Chairperson is responsible for working collaboratively with the other guidance department counselors, building administrators, teachers and families in overseeing the function and efficiency of the building’s Comprehensive Guidance Program to ensure student success. The Department Chairperson will meet the needs of all students by working closely with other guidance counselors, the building administrators, teachers, parents, students and will provide access to all institutions and agencies in the community that will support student achievement. The guidance chairperson works directly with the guidance staff establishing duties and responsibilities to ensure student success, and simultaneously fulfills the role of a 1.0 guidance counselor. EXEMPLARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: •Work with other guidance counselors to implement a Comprehensive School Guidance Program that is delivered in accordance with the Rhode Island Framework for Comprehensive K-12 School Counseling Programs and the American School Counselors Association. •Promote and develop higher levels of cultural competence in all guidance staff and school personnel. •Ensure that new students and their families are properly welcomed into the school community and invited to participate in all activities held at the school to engage families as partners in education. •Works with advisories as a vehicle to implement and/or update ILPs and communicate to students their progress towards graduation. •Implement and maintain an early warning system to identify students at risk for graduation by continual review of attendance, discipline, and academic data with other counselors. •Develop student schedules, which include placement of students in appropriate classes to ensure college and career readiness as well to provide necessary interventions; analyze transcripts to allow access and opportunity to every student. •Maintain accurate, secure files/records to ensure that they meet the PBGRs as required by the district and state including participating in portfolio review and portfolio presentations and accuracy of data reported to RIDE and the district with regard to student enrollment, academic progress, attendance, and reporting of Transformation data. •Develop and maintain contact with families, making use of district translators whenever necessary. •Oversee the work of the guidance secretary. •Work with other guidance staff and building leaders in planning school events. •Collaborates with the Systems Manager to analyze student data. •Understands all reform initiatives and ensures that all students understand the graduation requirements. Provides opportunities for struggling students to attend ramp up programs. •Oversee regular department meetings. IS KNOWLEDGEABLE OF: •American School Counselors Association, Rhode Island School Counselors Association Standards and Curriculum. •The related laws of Rhode Island, the BEP and the policies, regulations and procedures of the Pawtucket School Department and the Rhode Island Department of Education. •The RI High School Regulations and graduation requirements. •Response to Intervention (academic and behavioral)/MTSS. •Data analysis. •Student Information Management System. •Professional Learning Communities. •Individual Student Learning Plans. •Advisory Programs. •Reporting requirements and knowledge of Priority Schools. EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS: •Experience in a leadership role. •Ability to effectively communicate with staff, parents, and administration. •Ability to work effectively along with all administrators in establishing and maintaining district plans for continuous improvement of student performance. •Experience in a leadership role. •Ability to effectively communicate with staff, parents, and administration. SKILLED AT: •Public speaking; writing; listening; problem-solving; dispute resolution and providing direction. •Ability to communicate with other professionals in a respectful and productive manner. •Respectful, sensitive, and professional communication with family and community. •Ability to work as a team with building faculty and district staff. •Excellence in problem-solving and organization skills. •Timely completion of tasks and paperwork requirements. •Creative in solutions to problems and in the development of service models to meet the needs of students. •Complete the requirements of the job in a fast-paced environment. •Research and data analysis. •Use of technology. •Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. LICENSES/CERTIFICATE: •Valid Rhode Island Guidance Counseling Certification. •2 years teaching experience at a secondary level. •Bilingual skills preferred. •Experience in a leadership role. •Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid State of Rhode Island driver’s license with a driving record acceptable to the district. COMPENSATION/BENEFITS: ●Salary and benefits will be per Pawtucket Teacher’s Agreement. THIS JOB SPECIFICATION SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED TO IMPLY THAT THESE REQUIREMENTS ARE THE EXCLUSIVE STANDARDS OF THE POSITION. INCUMBENTS MAY BE REQUIRED TO FOLLOW ANY OTHER INSTRUCTIONS, AND TO PERFORM ANY OTHER RELATED DUTIES AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY THE SUPERVISOR.