M1 - High School Counselor (25/26 School Year)

Position: High School Counselor

Reports to: Upper School Principal/CEO

Qualifications:

• Valid PA certification for secondary level school guidance counselor.
• Experience preferred with databases and software, particularly Naviance. 
• Familiarity with highly selective college admissions and competitive scholarships and grants. 
• Ability to work collaboratively and calmly with a range of constituent groups, including students, families, faculty, staff and administration from diverse backgrounds (religious, ethnic, socio-economic etc.) 
• Outstanding writing and communication skills.
• The high school guidance counselor has the overall responsibility of guiding the members of each year’s graduating class through the transition to college and/or post- secondary education.  The guidance counselor advises students and families through the college search and application process.  S/he coordinates letters of recommendation for all students and prepares and sends all college admission material through the Naviance college guidance program.  The high school guidance counselor serves as the transition coordinator for students with disabilities.  

Job Overview: The high school guidance counselor has the overall responsibility of guiding the members of each year’s graduating class through the transition to college and/or post- secondary education.  The guidance counselor advises students and families through the college search and application process.  S/he coordinates letters of recommendation for all students and prepares and sends all college admission material through the Naviance college guidance program.  The high school guidance counselor serves as the transition coordinator for students with disabilities.  

 Responsibilities:

• Conduct individual college counseling sessions with junior and senior students and their parents to discuss and formulate college plans.  Maintain detailed records of each student's application status on the TCCi Naviance web-based program. 
• Prepare recommendation letters and secondary school reports.  Proof student applications and provide guidance to ensure that students are submitting professional quality applications.  
• Create and implement developmentally suited informational programs for students and parents addressing current issues in the areas of college planning, college admission, transition adjustment and financial assistance.
• Establish and maintain productive and successful relationships with admissions representatives and cultivate new relationships with college admissions representatives.
• Attend and/or lead various evening programs throughout the year; including, but not limited to, application work sessions in computer lab, financial aid nights, college fairs, etc.
• Develop and maintain college application resource materials and the department's website related to college counseling and applications.
• Develop and oversee a coordinated implementation for Naviance implementation in grades 9-12. 
• Be available to provide assistance and coverage for other guidance counselors in the building if needed.

Student Advising

• Meet with high school students annually to evaluate their academic progress/records and to ensure that they are on schedule to graduate.
• Meets with juniors individually to ensure that they are on schedule to graduate, are preparing for college applications, and have a senior schedule that will satisfy graduation requirements.
• Assist new, transfer and foreign exchange students in enrollment, registration, class selection, grades in progress and the transfer of credits. He/she shall conduct a screening of cumulative records and/or parent/guardian/student interviews of all students new to the school. 
• Evaluate credits from outside sources.
• Meet with students on an individual basis concerning academic issues and concerns reported by teachers and parents. 
• Supervise students taking classes through online or college courses.
• Manage student transfers, including transcripts and graduation records.
• Ensures the accuracy and timeliness of student educational records by conducting periodic credit checks on student files and grades for students in grades 9-12 with an emphasis on senior year.
• Developing all aspects of student scheduling including the creation of the HS scheduling, pre-registration for students, running and managing student schedules, and managing schedule changes.

• Participate in school and team meetings. 
• Participates in multidisciplinary evaluation team and Individual Educational Programming and serves as transition coordinator. 
• Participates in the provision of staff and parent training.
• Maintains his/herself in an ethical and professional manner.
• Related duties assigned by the CEO, Principal, and Director of Pupil Services (due to transition coordinator responsibilities).

Terms of Employment:  Twelve (12) months. Contract terms and salary to be determined by the Board of Trustees.

Evaluation:  Performance of this job will be evaluated annually in accordance with provisions of state law, administrative code, and the Board’s policy on evaluation.