High School Guidance Counselor (Anticipated)

Guidance Counselor

Location: North Chicago Community High School

The counselor reports to the Head/Lead Counselor and the Director of Special Education.

The counselor's role is to provide guidance, counseling and consultative services on a group and individual basis to all students. The counselor is a member of the In Building Team (IBT) and is an essential part of the total educational process. The counselor plays a unique role as part of the IBT. The counselor is also a member of a grade-level team with tasks and expectations specific to that grade level.

Qualifications

Licensure: Professional Educator License with School Counselor endorsement.

Education: Master's degree

Experience: 3 years experience in an urban district (preferred)

Major Responsibilities

Keeps informed of all curriculum and course offerings. Provides feedback and suggestions for new courses and programs to support student needs. Works with teachers regarding student concerns, attendance, study and work habits, test information and student-teacher relationships. Communicates with teachers, administrators, parents, support staff, and outside agencies.

Educational Guidance and Counseling: Helps students plan an educational plan which includes the selection of courses appropriate to their needs and consistent with scheduling possibilities. Helps students learn how to interact appropriately with the school community. Assist students in experiencing success in their academic and personal lives through completion of their educational experience. Helps identify students with special educational needs and makes referrals when appropriate. Plans and conducts group meetings with students and parents on topics such as decision-making, career and college planning. Assists students with the various sources of information on colleges, other post-secondary institutions, and other alternatives after high school. Assists students in finding information on financial aid. Makes available information on additional educational opportunities, including summer institutes and tutoring services. Guides students to sources of information about careers and advises them of career options. Acquaints students with student placement services. Works with the career coordinator and college counselor regarding individual student's future plans, group presentations to student's parent's nights, Career Fair, Illinois College Night, and assemblies. Work with the Special Education Department in providing services for their students.

Personal Guidance and Counseling: Helps students function effectively with the school setting. Helps students understand themselves in order to develop appropriate behavior. Helps students understand peer relationships. Assists students in coping with family situations which interfere with school progress. Helps students and teachers establish better relationships with each other. Helps students address specific physical, health, and emotional needs. Helps students get assistance in connections with any substance abuse concerns. Assists with IBT procedures with appropriate personnel. Assists in the disciplinary process when appropriate. Monitors student's attendance, academic failures, truancy problems, or suspensions. Facilitates crisis intervention and makes referrals to appropriate personnel. Serves as an advocate for students.

Testing: Assist in the interpretation of achievement tests administered by the district. Supplies students with necessary test information including college admission tests, vocational aptitude tests, interest inventories and interpret these test results. Administers, assists, and/or proctors school-wide tests.

Community Relations: Interprets school policies and programs to parents and community agencies. Participates in public meetings related to guidance and counseling.

Committee Assignments: Serves as a member of grade-level/building In Building Team (IBT). Serves as a member of school-wide committees. Serves as a member on departmental committees.

Records and Report: Organizes and maintains files on each student. Write recommendations for students. Participates in writing a grade-level/student annual report. Works to improve the accuracy of school records. Submits reports for students entering school, transferring to Evening High School, transferring to another school (K-8), and leaving high school.

Professional Standard: Demonstrates continuous professional growth. Displays a consistently positive attendance pattern. Accepts and uses constructive suggestions. Keep school hours as stated in the district handbook. Models positive behavior.

School and Department: Follows and fulfills stated department/school policies, procedures, and responsibilities. Demonstrates sensitivity to the needs and feelings of others. Cooperates with school and district employees at all levels. Meets established deadlines. Continues development, implementation and evaluation of a four-year Guidance program.

Salary Range: $51,020 - $88,799 Salary commensurate with experience, plus comprehensive benefits (medical, dental, life insurance)