College Counselor

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 earning $53,460 - $94,000 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:

The College Counselor will help establish, maintain, support, and sustain a college-going culture and identity in high school campuses by collaborating with high school students, high school staff, higher education institutions, relevant community partners, and IPS alumni. This role will provide leadership in the advancement of college success programs and counsel students to fully identify and develop each student's postsecondary opportunities and decisions.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Master's Degree in School Counseling, required

• Valid Indiana State Teacher's School Counselor license

Experience in the college admissions process, either guiding high school students in their application process or serving at the college level in admissions or career counseling, recommended

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

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

Proactively create and develop positive relationships with all members of the school community (students, staff, families).

Establishes positive working relationships with colleges and universities, ensuring they are familiar with Indianapolis Public Schools and creating opportunities for successful admission of IPS students.

Support the mission and educational goals of Indianapolis Public Schools' Postsecondary Readiness (PSR) department to continue building the school's college planning and counseling program, and the ability to advocate for the school & its students in the college admissions process

Provide leadership and management to all college readiness programs including:

• Promote current school college-going culture and build strong foundations and stamina for success in college
• Maintain records and reports for college applications, acceptances, and scholarships
• Train and support the implementation of Xello software
• Organizing College GO! Week activities and celebrations
• Arrange college visits and trips to local college fairs
• Invite college admissions officers and college supporting community partners to visit the school and meet with students
• Work effectively one-on-one with students and be able to address small or large gatherings of diverse people groups to discuss the college admission and enrollment process
• Publicize relevant information regarding postsecondary placement and assist in registering students for college admissions test, as needed (dates of college admissions tests, standardized tests, scholarships, etc)
• Attend professional development conferences and seminars to remain current about new trends, policies and opportunities in the field of higher education and college enrollment/advising
• Provide support and monitoring of graduates through "Year 14"

"Day In the Life" Overview

On a regular day, as the College Counselor, you might:

Collaborate with students' school counselors to provide college programming (classroom lessons, small groups, 1:1 advising, etc.)

Collaborate with other Future Center staff (Work-Based Learning Coordinators, College Specialists, etc.)

Meet with high school students and families to discuss progress toward students' futures and create a personalized college admission/postsecondary school plan of action

Guide students and their parents/guardians through the college admissions and application process

Meet with high school students regularly in groups to explain/review resources in the Future Center and create/establish college awareness

Organize workshops on using Xello, CommonApp, college applications, college essay writing, test-taking skills, interviews, etc.

Support students completing college applications, 21st Century Scholars Success Program tasks, filing the FAFSA, and applying for scholarships

WHAT YOU'll BRING: SKILLS AND MINDSETS

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

Dedication and expertise in counseling a range of students in the career planning and college process, including those whose families have long been oriented toward college as well as those for whom college application and attendance is new and unfamiliar

Evidence of high levels of organizational skills and the ability to work closely and effectively with students, families, and colleagues in the school

Leadership in the area of classroom counseling lessons that support college and career readiness

Knowledge of the college admissions and financial aid process

Excellent oral and written communication skills

Ability to work with diverse populations

Adherence to laws, policies, procedures, and ethical standards of the school counseling profession.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: None.

LANGUAGE SKILLS : Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one, small group, and large group situations.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

REASONING ABILITY : Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands 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 enable 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.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to wet and humid conditions and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

DISCLAIMER:

The above job description is designed to denote the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications of employees assigned to this job.