Community Schools Counselor

Who We Are

KIPP SoCal Public Schools is a nonprofit organization that operates 20 tuition-free, open-enrollment charter public schools, within 17 Local Education Agencies (LEA), educating more than 10,000 students and supporting 8,300 alumni to and through college and beyond. Our award winning schools are part of the national KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program) network, dedicated to meeting the needs of all learners and providing the social, emotional and academic support for success in high school, college, and life.

Mission

Together with families and communities, we create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose—college, career and beyond—so they can lead fulfilling lives and create a more just world.

What We Do

At KIPP SoCal we build trusting relationships that are strengthened by high expectations and collaboration alongside laughter and joy. We set ambitious goals and hold each other accountable for students achieving their greatest potential. We work together with each other and in partnership with families and communities in the active pursuit of a more equitable world. We do the right thing, even when it's not always comfortable standing up and speaking out against anti-blackness, racism, oppression, and injustice. We persevere through obstacles and treat failure as an opportunity to learn and grow.

You Should Apply If

You love the idea of community schools! The Regional Community School Counselor role is a grant-funded position that is designed to cultivate responsible citizenship, nurture social-emotional growth, and enhance academic achievement among our student population. You should apply if you have previous experience as a School-based Mental Health professional, providing social-emotional support to children in grades K-8; You are an excellent communicator who enjoys working with teachers, administration and other school staff; You are passionate about developing students' social-emotional skills to support their ability to access their educational program.

*Note: This is a grant-funded position set to end June 30, 2028

• Serve as a member of the Community Schools Advisory Committee to ensure that Social-Emotional supports are living throughout the school.
• Design and implement social-emotional Tiered interventions with the objective of assisting students in cultivating positive self-identities, effectively managing emotions, fostering and sustaining supportive relationships, and making thoughtful and compassionate decisions.
• Provide school-based individual and group counseling services to students with IEPs with Designated Instructional Service (DIS) counseling goals/needs
• Maintain documentation within compliance of KIPP SoCal regulation and procedures
• Provide advocacy, child welfare, and case management services to students
• Collaborate with all school staff including Regional Case Manager, Resource Specialist (RSP), School Psychologist and Special Education Program Specialist for the continued evaluation of current DIS counseling students
• Assess, identify and provide clinical interventions to students with emotional, social, attendance and/or behavioral concerns within the general education population.
• Provide threat assessment and risk management crisis services.
• Collaborate with community-based agencies and provide referral services
• Participate in the development of school-wide social-emotional scope and sequence for Tiered implementation of lessons with the collaboration of Administration and School Based Counselors.
• Facilitate staff trainings and professional development bringing knowledge of developmental social/emotional needs of students
• Be a resource for school site personnel on mental health and social/emotional issues that may affect classroom performance
• Ability to travel to other sites/locations

• Master’s in Social Work (MSW)/Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Masters in Marriage & Family Therapy (MFT)/Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT), Masters in Counseling or Associate/Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC/LPCC) required
• Pupil Personnel Services Credential required
• At least one year of supervised employment in the field of school-based mental health with school-age children or one year of supervised field placement experience (accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs or Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy in Education) in a school mental health setting working with school-age children
• Training in clinical interventions and providing evidence-based therapy to youth and families
• Knowledge of special programs, guidance and scheduling preferred
• Knowledge of district policies and procedures related to special education and DIS services
• Ability to work as a part of multiple teams
• Knowledge of and experience with RTI/SST programs and interventions
• Demonstrated commitment to students’ wellbeing and learning
• Ability to connect with people from diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds (including but not limited to homeless, foster and LGBTQ IA youth)
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills

• This role follows the Counselor pay band on our Student Services Compensation Scale (Group SS2); starting at $83,000 
• 100% of healthcare premium costs covered by employer, dependents added at 50% of the cost
• 401(k) plan with up to 6% match by KIPP SoCal

• Note: This is a grant-funded position set to end June 30, 2028

KIPP SoCal Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation/gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

KIPP SoCal strives to ensure that our careers website is accessible to all, including individuals with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process due to a disability, please contact us. You can find our contact information on our website, http://www.kippsocal.org/. Information will be sent to a talent acquisition representative who will provide assistance to ensure appropriate consideration in the hiring process.