Our public school students need your expertise, passion and leadership. We are looking for highly motivated and skilled talent to join our team at Dunbar High School with the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS). We seek individuals who are passionate about transforming the DC school system and making a significant difference in the lives of public school students, parents, principals, teachers, and central office employees. As part of a comprehensive reform effort to become the preeminent urban school system in America, DCPS intends to have the highest-performing, best paid, most satisfied, and most honored educator force in the nation and a distinctive central office staff whose work supports and drives instructional excellence and significant achievement gains for DCPS students.

Position Overview

The Historic Paul Laurence Dunbar is looking for a Bilingual Counselor who is fluent in Spanish, with French and additional languages being an advantage. Our Bilingual Counselor is responsible for providing a comprehensive school counseling program that is preventative in design, developmental in implementation, and supports DCPS students in the areas of academic achievement, career and college planning, and personal and social development. The Counselor also serves as consultant to educators, families, and community partners. The Counselor receives technical assistance, support, and instruction from the Principal while working in coordination with the School Counseling Manager. Additionally, the Counselor works closely with faculty and staff of local school, DCPS central office, various social services agencies (i.e., D.C. Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA)), the Superior Court, personnel from other public school systems, and parents. This is an 11‐month position. The Counselor, High School is required to report for duty for the two weeks immediately following the end of the school year and the two weeks immediately preceding the start of the school year. The Counselor (High School) will report to the Principal.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The below statements are intended to describe the general nature and scope of work being performed by this position. This is not a complete listing of all responsibilities, duties, and/or skills required. Other duties may be assigned. The Counselor, High School is responsible for developing, implementing, and managing a comprehensive school counseling program to serve the academic, social, and career development needs of students enrolled in DCPS. The primary purpose of the comprehensive school counseling program is the support of the instructional and academic goals of DCPS. More specifically, the Counselor performs the following: Development and Management Uses data to develop and inform the development of the school counseling program and evaluates the program’s impact on the school’s instructional goals. Coordinates comprehensive school counseling program at the high school level. Supports the transition of student records and data between school years related to the secondary school counseling program, i.e., ensuring proper and accurate student schedules, supporting the registration process, and using data to support student planning. Collaborates on the development and management of the comprehensive school counseling program with the school administrator or instructional leader. Communicates and shares the goals of the comprehensive school counseling program to education stakeholders, including students, families, and community partners. Develops and maintains a written plan for effective delivery of the school counseling programs based on the DCPS standard course of study and aligned with the ASCA National Standards of School Counseling Programs. Uses 80% of time to provide direct services to students through preventative and responsive services, including individual student planning, and uses 20% of time in development and management, system support and accountability. Preventive and Responsive Services Designs, implements, and assesses the counseling curriculum. Utilizes responsive counseling, initiating individual and group sessions for students’ academic, social, and personal concerns. Consults with families and educators to assess student needs and interests and to discuss appropriate recommendations for educational options. Plans, coordinates, and provides classroom lessons to meet the identified mindsets and behaviors in the areas of academic achievement, career and educational development, and personal/social development to assist students in developing decision‐ making skills and identifying life goals. Assesses student needs and makes referrals to appropriate school resource personnel, social agencies, community agencies, and alternative programs. Individual Student Planning Prepares students for the transition to the next level: college, career, post-high school activities, and post-secondary options. Advertises course offerings to students and supports the scheduling process. Completes the course selection process, including updating and editing student course selections. Plans and coordinates programs such as career and college fairs, test skills preparation, improved attendance activities, and other extensions of the counseling program to support students’ knowledge of post‐secondary options. Assists students in navigating their academic, workplace, and community experiences through individual student planning (this includes individual graduation portfolios (IGP), student interviews, letters of understanding (LOU), and other planning tools). Collaborates with parents/guardians and educators to assist students with educational and career planning. Collaborates with school management teams to advocate for students' needs and to provide support for school staff. System Support Supports other school staff in implementing school-wide advisory programs. Uses responsive counseling strategies to establish relationships and collaborate with educators, students, families, and community partners, which reflects recognition of and respect for each individual and promotes an understanding and appreciation of diverse population and cultures. Assists families in obtaining services for their children through an appropriate referral and follow‐up process. Serves as liaison between the social services agencies (i.e., D.C. Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA)) and personnel from the various school systems where wards of the District of Columbia are attending school. Assists teachers in understanding their students, including providing and interpreting student data. Provides in‐service training on topics related to the school counseling program and supporting student achievement. Accountability Conducts, at a minimum, a yearly program audit to review the extent and quality of program implementation. Prepares and submits a variety of reports and data to ensure fulfillment of established program requirements. Uses all available data, including academic grades, discipline referrals, and attendance data, to identify students in need to deliver services. Interprets tests, student data, and other assessment results appropriately in the counseling environment for the purpose of developing and implementing academic plans for individual students.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree.
• Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university in school counseling.
• Previous exposure to or experience in the education sector a plus.
• Retains a current and valid OSSE-issued certification as a professional school counselor.
• Must speak Spanish fluently, French is

DCPS Values

• STUDENTS FIRST: We recognize students as whole children and put their needs first in everything we do.
• COURAGE: We have the audacity to learn from our successes and failures, to try new things, and to lead the nation as a proof point of PK-12 success.
• EQUITY: We work proactively to eliminate opportunity gaps by interrupting institutional bias and investing in effective strategies to ensure every student succeeds.
• EXCELLENCE: We work with integrity and hold ourselves accountable for exemplary outcomes, service, and interactions.
• TEAMWORK: We recognize that our greatest asset is our collective vision and ability to work collaboratively and authentically.
• JOY: We enjoy our collective work and will enthusiastically celebrate our success and each other.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $60,000.00 - $119,000.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Work setting:

• In-person

Ability to Relocate:

• Washington, DC 20001: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person