Counselor 26/27 SY

WELCOME TO INDIANAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS!

At IPS, we believe in the transformative power of education. We work collectively every day to prepare our students for success in the classroom and in life by providing equitable, high-quality educational experiences across our family of schools. IPS is a place to make an impact, grow your career, and ensure every student has access to a high quality education, all while earning a good living in a district on the move. While the work is challenging, it is deeply meaningful and impactful. We seek innovators and trailblazers who bring varying experiences and expertise and share our belief that every child deserves access to an exceptional education. As part of TeamIPS, you'll create lasting connections, find a sense of belonging, and feel supported to make a meaningful difference in students' lives.

In return, no matter your role here, we expect a commitment to excellence and accountability. You'll be held to high standards. Resilience and passion are key-you must be adaptable, handling adversity with flexibility while putting students at the heart of everything you do. Ethical conduct, clear communication, and mutual respect are fundamental. Being a dependable, collaborative team player who builds meaningful relationships is essential.

Together, we are Proving What's Possible by building a community where everyone belongs and each student has the opportunity to fulfill their potential.

A TEACHING CAREER IN IPS OFFERS...

Purpose and Impact:

• Students First: Teaching for IPS is a rewarding opportunity to support bright, curious students as they shape their futures. We hold ourselves to the highest expectations of excellence, focusing on students' holistic needs during their educational journey with us.
• Community: Working in a school means it is your home away from home, and you have a school family who supports you and leads with empathy and vision.

Professional and Personal Growth:

• Grow Your Career: We offer professional development and career advancement opportunities, including dedicated mentorship programs for early career teachers.
• Generous Compensation: We're proud to offer the highest teacher starting pay in Indianapolis and one of the most competitive in the state, with teachers starting at $55,600 depending on experience, plus a generous benefits package. Our teacher salaries are continually on the rise, as IPS regularly advocates for stronger teacher compensation.
• Access to Financial Benefits: Working in IPS makes it possible to benefit from federal programs such as Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) or Teacher Loan Forgiveness (TLF), helping reduce the financial burden of student loans.

Work-Life Balance and Well-being:

• Comprehensive Health Insurance: Access top-tier health plans covering medical, dental, and vision needs, plus IPS offers a private clinic for staff and their families through our partners at Ascension St. Vincent.
• Flexible Wellness Leave: Take the time you need to care for yourself and your family with our generous leave policies. Teachers receive 70 hours of sick leave in their first year (56 hours annually after) for illness, family, or mental health, plus three personal days, two floating holidays, and school breaks. Unlimited accumulated sick leave adds flexibility, supporting teachers' health and work-life balance.
• Incentivized Discounts through IPS Wellness Program: Opportunities to earn hundreds of dollars off your medical premium by participating in proactive and simple health screenings, plus discounted group fitness classes, health and fitness assessments, personal training, and more.

WHAT WE EXPECT...

Commitment to Excellence:

• High Standards: Strive for the very best in all you do, maintaining high standards for yourself, your students, and your colleagues. Embrace lifelong learning and adapt to new teaching methods and challenges.
• Educational Equity: IPS is deeply committed to breaking down systemic inequities. We do this by "walking the walk" on new policies and practices, building diverse and inclusive classrooms and staff teams, and ensuring our environments are grounded in our values of respect, inclusivity, and educational equity.

Resilience and Passion:

• Dedication to Students: Put students at the heart of your work. Be passionate about their success and well-being.
• Adaptability: Handle adversity with resilience and flexibility. Be prepared for a dynamic work environment.

Professional Integrity:

• Ethical Conduct: Uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity. Act responsibly and respectfully toward all individuals, communicate with candor and care.
• Team Player: Be dependable, punctual, and collaborative, contributing positively to our supportive work environment.

JOIN US!

Indianapolis Public Schools is more than a workplace; it's a community where purpose, impact, and belonging come together to help Prove What's Possible - in your career and in your school. If you're ready to embrace challenges, strive for excellence, and make a meaningful impact, IPS is the place for you.

SUMMARY OF ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

We are looking for School Counselors who will provide proactive leadership that engages all stakeholders in the delivery of programs and services to help students achieve success as they progress to and through post-secondary planning. School Counselors align and work with the school's mission to support the academic achievement of all students. The mission is accomplished through the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of a comprehensive, developmental, and systematic school-counseling program.

WHAT YOU'LL DO:

The following outlines what your core duties and responsibilities will be for this position and provides a sample overview of what your day-to-day may look like.

Core Duties and Responsibilities

• Uses data to develop and implement comprehensive programs that meet student needs and discusses the data with the school administrator.
• Develop and maintain a written plan for effective delivery of the school counseling program based on current individual school data.
• Communicate the goals of the comprehensive school counseling program to education stakeholders (i.e., administrators, teachers, students, parents, and community/business leaders).
• Maintain current and appropriate resources for education stakeholders.
• Use the majority of time providing direct services through the guidance curriculum, individual student planning and preventive and responsive services, and most remaining time in program management, system support, and accountability as recommended by the American School Counselor Association.
• Other duties as assigned

"Day In the Life" Overview

On a regular day, as School Counselor you might:

• Assists all students, individually or in groups, with developing academic, career and personal/social skills, goals, and plans.
• Collaborates with parents/guardians and educators to assist students with educational, career, and life planning.
• Assist students with academic planning including scheduling
• Provides individual and group counseling to students with identified concerns and needs.
• Collaborate with teachers to provide classroom guidance that supports academic achievement, college and career readiness and/or social/emotional success
• Consults and collaborates effectively with parents/guardians, teachers, administrators, and other educational/community resources regarding students with identified concerns and needs.
• Communicate with students, parents, and other staff members concerning student academic progress, attendance, behavior.
• Assists teachers, parents/guardians, and other stakeholders in interpreting and understanding student data.

WHAT YOU'll BRING: SKILLS AND MINDSETS

As an ideal candidate for this role, you will be able to achieve the following:

• Leadership in the area of classroom guidance that supports academic achievement, college and career readiness and social emotional success
• Accurate and appropriate use of assessment procedures for determining and structuring individual and group counseling services
• Providing appropriate information to school personnel related to the comprehensive high school counseling program.
• Use of available technology resources to enhance the school counseling program.
• Adherence to laws, policies, procedures, and ethical standards of the school counseling profession.

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS

• Master's Degree in School Counseling
• Valid Indiana State Teacher's school counselor license.

FLSA CLASSIFICATION:

Exempt

ELIGIBILITY FOR REMOTE WORK:

Not eligible

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and use hands to find, handle, or feel. The employee frequently is required to talk or hear. The employee is required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 20 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

EEOC STATEMENT:

Indianapolis Public Schools, in accordance with its nondiscrimination policies, will not discriminate in its programs, facilities, or employment or educational opportunities on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, veteran or military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, familial status, domestic violence victim status, homelessness or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state or local laws, regulations, or ordinances. Indianapolis Public Schools does not tolerate any form of retaliation or bias-based intimidation, threat, or harassment that demeans individuals' dignity or interferes with their ability to learn or work.

DISCLAIMER:

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the above representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This job description is illustrative only, and is not a comprehensive list of all essential functions and duties performed by the occupant of this position. Factors such as regular and punctual attendance are not routinely listed in job descriptions, but are an essential function.