School Counselor

JOB TITLE: School Counselor

REPORTS TO: Director of Student Support

JOB GOAL: The School Counselor will be held accountable for establishing relationships with both students and parent. In addition, the counselor will provide opportunities for students to develop skills in the areas of social/personal growth, educational planning and skills for academic success. The school counselor will work with teachers and leaders to identify our students and families most in need of additional services, and s/he will then lead a collaborative effort to plan for and provide the necessary support. Most of our students come from underrepresented ethnic groups and need and deserve the absolute best that we have to offer. A significant percentage of our students have experienced or are living through significant trauma and demonstrate emotional, mental, and behavioral health challenges. In this effort, the school counselor will directly provide individual and group counseling to students and their families, while also working to link families with long-term counseling solutions and external support organizations.


ABOUT US: Founded in 1997, EastSide Charter School is a free, public elementary school that educates students in Wilmington, Delaware. EastSide prides itself on being a community-based school, using multiple partnerships, strong relationships with families, and a dedicated and hard-working faculty to ensure academic success for its students.

EastSide is in the midst of a dynamic turnaround effort that will have a profound impact in Wilmington. Members of the EastSide leadership team play a significant role in ensuring that our students develop the character and skills necessary to being influential and contributing members of the community and global society. This position is suited for someone who is willing to do "Whatever it Takes" to support our students in being successful in school and in life

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

1. Character Education:

• Plan lessons for individual students, small groups, and/or classrooms addressing the fundamental character traits desired such as (to name few):
  • Peer relationships & Mediation
  • Coping strategies
  • Problem solving and conflict resolution
  • Bullying
  • Sex Ed., HS PREP class, Planned Parenthood, etc

1. Assessment and Interpretation:

• Use data (including attendance records, discipline reports, student grades, etc.) to help determine which students and families are most in need of additional support services
• Assist in screening and evaluating referred children including selecting appropriate instruments, administering tests, observations, and writing reports which state the evaluation findings in order to collaborate with the multi-disciplinarian team and the individualized education program (IEP) committee

1. Responsive Services:

• Counsel individual challenges that students face inside and outside of school that impede academic potential by meeting with the student individually to develop strategies so that the student is able to access their education with limited distractions. Evaluates effectiveness of individual and group interventions and modifies interventions based on data collected
• Develop awareness of and partnerships with various long-term counseling solutions and external support organizations in order to effectively link students and families with additional support services
• Not sure if it fits here or not, but something about consulting and supporting teachers in implementing techniques and strategies developed and worked on in counseling sessions to ensure consistency

1. Parent Support & Communication:

• Connect students and families with community mental health organizations/agencies and educating parents on proactive and reactive intervention strategies that support the mental and physical well-being of the child
• Establish clear, measurable, and meaningful goals for each student and family receiving support while also tracking the effectiveness of the goals regularly in order to report this progress to relevant stakeholders

QUALIFICATIONS:


The ideal candidate will possess the following:


Education:

• Master's degree in Social Work, School Counseling, Child Psychology, or a related field
• A DE state-issued school counseling license

Experience:

• At least 1-2 years of experience as a school guidance counselor (preferred not required)

• Experience working in an urban school environment (required)

• An outstanding record of supporting the needs of teachers, students and their families elevating student achievement in an urban classroom, with a strong understanding of pedagogy that drives results

Required Skills/Traits:


The ideal candidate must:

• Be accessible to students in order to gain their trust through genuine empathetic communication and listening; doing whatever it takes to help students achieve academic & behavioral success
• Accurately identify his or her strengths/weaknesses, and be perceptive about how he/she is regarded
• Be detail-oriented, self-directed, and able to work independently and with a team on short- and long-term projects thereby working urgently juggling multiple tasks and initiatives at once

COMMITMENT AND COMPENSATION:

Length of Work Year: 10 months, select Saturdays, and occasional evening and weekend commitments will also be required; occasional travel throughout the state and region.

Salary and Benefits: Salary range is commensurate with qualifications and experience. Eastside Charter offers a friendly and committed team of colleagues and a comprehensive benefits plan.