College and Career Counselor

College and Career CounselorWaukegan Community Unit School District No. 60 serves nearly 13,000 students in preschool through grade 12 and is located halfway between Chicago, Illinois, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin on the shores of Lake Michigan. The District has 1 early learning center, 15 elementary schools, five middle schools and a high school program divided between two 9th 12th grade campuses. The District encompasses portions of Waukegan, Beach Park, and Park City.The Waukegan Community Unit School District No. 60 has set an ambitious agenda for change, guided by the belief that all children, regardless of circumstances, can achieve at high levels and academic gaps can and will be eliminated with the support of teachers who deliver engaging, relevant, and academically-rigorous instruction that excites students and instills a love of learning in them.Under the direction of the Waukegan High School Principal and the College and Career Coordinator, the College and Career Counselor will organize, maintain and operate a high school College & Career Center and provide a wide variety of career information and materials; communicate with students, faculty, parents and community representatives concerning career planning and college entrance.Duties include:Provide career and college entrance information and assistance to students, teachers, parents and counselorsCoordinate day-to-day operations and schedule activities, programs and speakersPrepare career education and instructional materials for use by teachers and studentsAssist students in locating and using college/career information as needed for research, assignments and post-high school planningTrain and support the implementation of the Naviance College, Career and Life Readiness (CCLR) FrameworkFacilitate interest inventories, Career Experiences and 4-year planningObtain, organize, file and display guidance materials; catalog and prepare for use by studentsMaintain displays and bulletin boardsPlan, organize, develop and implement career events and publications; prepare letters, flyers, mailers and other materials to publicize Career Center services, resources and speaker programsContact, schedule and arrange guest speakers from the local business community, colleges and military services to present information regarding specific occupationsSchedule visitations by representatives from local colleges; organize, coordinate and publicize career-related events and other opportunities for students to learn about higher education and vocational training and preparationDevelop and maintain a current and comprehensive occupational library including information on careers and career clusters, employment prospects and trends and employment requirements and opportunities; obtain and circulate current college catalogsProvide information concerning scholastic aptitude and achievement tests; distribute test results as appropriateAssist students with Career Center materials and equipmentPrepare and deliver informational presentation as requested; orient students to Career Center resources and servicesMaintain a current inventory of Career Center equipment and materials; assist in determining purchase prioritiesPlan and conduct Career Days, Career Month, Teen Job Fairs, or College FairsAttend meetings, conferences and seminars regarding career trends, college entrance and financial aidAssist students with completion of college applications and scheduling and financial aid (FASFA); meet with parents one-on-one and through the coordination of financial aid workshops to complete FASFA applicationsDeveloping programs to teach students and parents about the college admissions processCoordinating necessary paperwork to help students satisfy college admissions requirementsAssessing students' academic progress to meet requirements of specific colleges and college programsCommunicating with college admissions and financial aid departmentsAssisting students with finding out about scholarships and other supportive programsKnowledge of:Career and occupational resources, trends, and opportunitiesCollege entrance requirements and proceduresCorrect English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabularyModern office practices, procedures, and equipmentRecord-keeping techniquesOral and written communication skillsTelephone techniques and etiquetteBasic research methodsCollege admission requirements, financial aid requirements, and training necessary for future careersAbility to:Organize, maintain and operate a high school Career CenterProvide specialized assistance and information concerning career planning and college entrance to students, parents, staff, and community agenciesDevelop and provide information and materials related to career/college opportunities for high school studentsObtain, evaluate and process occupational literatureOperate MACs in a Windows environment using various office productivity software applicationsOperate modern office equipment and audio/visual equipmentWork independently using effective public relations skills with little directionEstablish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationshipsAnalyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of actionMeet schedules and time linesPlan and organize workWork confidentially with discretionCommunicate effectively both orally and in writingRead, interpret, apply and explain rules, regulations, policies and proceduresPerform related duties as assignedQualifications: Must have valid Illinois Professional Educators License.Compensation: Per Contract.Application Deadline: Candidates must submit an online application by the closing date. Only online applications will be considered.Waukegan Community Unit School District 60 offers employment opportunities without regard to age, gender, race, color, national origin, religion, marital or military/veteran status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, parental status, genetics, disability or other protected category.