What are the responsibilities and job description for the High School Placement Counselor position at LEARN Charter School Network?
The LEARN Charter School Network is a network of college preparatory elementary dedicated to providing our students with the solid academic foundation and ambition to earn a college degree. Our college preparatory elementary schools provide a rigorous educational program that is built upon an intimate understanding of each student’s individual learning style and academic needs. We are guided by five principles which include: expectations of high achievement; mutual respect; the development of a safe and nurturing environment; active family participation; and the positive development of the whole child. The High School Placement Counselor will help develop and execute a high school placement program which places members of the 8th grade class into top-performing high schools that will prepare them for college.
Key Responsibilities/Outcomes
Organized by 1-5 major categories of work to be performed, including % of time out of 100%
% TIME SPENT
What You'll Need
Education, Training And/or Experience
We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package for all full time employees, including health insurance, dental, vision, paid vacation, personal days, paid holidays, short and long term disability, paid life insurance, 403B and the Chicago Teachers' Pension fund.
Physical Demands
Caring for children can be physically demanding. School Social Workers may be lifting and carrying children and equipment and may spend time sitting on the floor or child sized furniture. Nature of work requires an ability to operate standard business office equipment. Requires the ability to communicate and exchange information, collect, compile and prepare work documents, set-up and maintain work files. Physical demands require the ability to stand, bend, reach high and low, stoop, walk around the classroom and kneel upwards of 60% of the day. In addition, walking up and down stairs several times a day. Must be able to lift 15 to 20 pounds for short periods of time and push and pull 15 to 20 lbs.
Working Conditions
School Social Worker will be working in a busy and occasionally noisy environment. There may be a number of activities and situations happening at once. Majority of work will be performed in a general office/school environment. Requires participation and attendance at organization sponsored events and meetings.
This job description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of LEARN Charter School Network. Since no job description can detail all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time in the performance of a job, duties and responsibilities that may be inherent in a job, reasonably required for its performance, or required due to the changing nature of the job shall also be considered part of the jobholder's responsibility.
Key Responsibilities/Outcomes
Organized by 1-5 major categories of work to be performed, including % of time out of 100%
% TIME SPENT
- High School and Scholarship Organizations: Develop, cultivate and maintain relationships with high schools and scholarship organizations. Identify potential funding sources. Coordinate meetings and panel discussions. Arrange for high schools and organizations to tour/visit school.
- Students: Consult with students to develop a list of high schools that meets each student’s needs. Facilitate high school placement workshops and/or classes to address topics which include short answer and essay writing, test prep, interview prep, etc. Assist students with applications to ensure timely submission. Coordinate student school visits and shadow days with high schools. Assist students with enrichment program applications. Additionally they will provided scaffolded programming to begin preparing scholars in 5th, 6th, and 7th grades and their families for the high school placement process.
- Parents/Families: Assist with the planning of group parent meetings to discuss the high school application and financial aid process. Assist in conducting one-on-one parent meetings to discuss each student’s application and financial aid timeline and assist parents in completing materials. Facilitate communication between parents and schools and placement organizations.
- Faculty: Work with school social worker in developing suitable student application choices (based on grades, classroom performance, etc.). Coordinate completion and submission of teacher recommendation letters.
What You'll Need
Education, Training And/or Experience
- Associate degree; Bachelor’s degree strongly preferred
- Ability to work effectively with children, families, professionals and other personnel from a wide range of cultural, social and economic backgrounds.
- Passion for the charter school movement and parents having a choice for educating their children.
- Possess a sincere interest in helping others achieve life goals.
- Strong systems and reporting skills.
- Ability to commit to and demonstrate the LEARN mission and core values.
- Ability to interact effectively as either a leader or as a member of a team and work collaboratively with other departments.
- Ability to listen to customers (e.g. students, parents, staff, etc.) and to understand and respond positively to their requests.
- Ability to adapt to changing assignments and multiple priorities.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and successfully meet deadlines.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Applications, internet research and database functionality
- Excellent organizational, verbal and written communication skills.
- Professional demeanor
- Experience in developing and implementing procedures
- Ability to multi-task and manage competing priorities and a diverse workload, while achieving results in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
- Detail oriented and highly organized
- Ability to defuse tense situations and get others organized to meet project expectations
- High degree of initiative and independent judgment
- Ability to tactfully and effectively deal with public and staff at all levels in a personable and professional manner
- Maintains a high level of energy and a consistent positive attitude
We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package for all full time employees, including health insurance, dental, vision, paid vacation, personal days, paid holidays, short and long term disability, paid life insurance, 403B and the Chicago Teachers' Pension fund.
Physical Demands
Caring for children can be physically demanding. School Social Workers may be lifting and carrying children and equipment and may spend time sitting on the floor or child sized furniture. Nature of work requires an ability to operate standard business office equipment. Requires the ability to communicate and exchange information, collect, compile and prepare work documents, set-up and maintain work files. Physical demands require the ability to stand, bend, reach high and low, stoop, walk around the classroom and kneel upwards of 60% of the day. In addition, walking up and down stairs several times a day. Must be able to lift 15 to 20 pounds for short periods of time and push and pull 15 to 20 lbs.
Working Conditions
School Social Worker will be working in a busy and occasionally noisy environment. There may be a number of activities and situations happening at once. Majority of work will be performed in a general office/school environment. Requires participation and attendance at organization sponsored events and meetings.
This job description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of LEARN Charter School Network. Since no job description can detail all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time in the performance of a job, duties and responsibilities that may be inherent in a job, reasonably required for its performance, or required due to the changing nature of the job shall also be considered part of the jobholder's responsibility.