School and College Counselor at PUC Schools in Los Angeles, California

Job Description:

Organization Overview

Partnerships to Uplift Communities (PUC) Schools is comprised of a non-profit network of public charter schools designed to significantly increase high school graduation rates, college entrance, and college graduation rates for underserved students in North-East Los Angeles, and the North-East San Fernando Valley.

Our mission at PUC Schools is to develop and manage high-quality charter schools in densely populated urban communities with overcrowded and low-achieving schools. We create school programs and cultures that promote college graduation for all students. We uplift and revitalize communities through the success of our students and through inspiring them to uplift our communities now and forever and through the development of educational and other supportive partnerships.

The Team Member we are searching for

The ideal School & College Counselor believes in and is passionate about the mission and commitments of PUC Schools and exhibits this through their leadership, reflection, execution of school culture, and collaboration to ensure student success. The School & College Counselor is a student advocate who supports students throughout their high school career, ensuring students are equipped with the knowledge and skills for college degree obtainment and to be competitive in the current job market.

What you will need to accomplish:

• Coordinate and implement dissemination of information to students, parents, and community members about the college admissions process


• Assist and/or participate in college or related activities within the school as designated by your Administrator to support the college-going culture of PUC Schools including but not limited to field trips, parent meetings, student workshops, etc.


• In support of College Awareness and Preparation, update every student’s Individual Learning Plan (ILP) annually which includes high school credit check, post-secondary education plans, and individualized college/university matches


• Co-coordinate along with the PUC Schools Administrator, university admissions application workshops at the school site


• Conduct college awareness workshops; Juniors in spring semester and Seniors in summer or early fall


• Implement PUC College Counseling Scope and Sequence


• Provide strategic guidance based on school and student needs including, but not limited to 1-on-1, group counseling, and classroom guidance to all students in support of post-secondary plans


• Co-develop Master Schedule with Administration


• Create personalized schedules for all students using ILP data, utilizing Power Scheduler


• Ensure 100% of students receive individualized post-secondary education and career planning


• Application support, completion, submission, and tracking for college and financial aid for 100% of eligible high school seniors


• Order the AP and PSAT exams, along with fee waivers for PSAT, SAT, ACT & AP exams


• Disseminate information to students regarding college entrance exams yearly and assists with registration


• Administer/coordinate AP exams if applicable


• Aid faculty and staff in writing letters of recommendation as warranted


• Collaborate with administration and teachers to ensure students complete 9th-12th grade Naviance program tasks


• Assist and collaborate with the Administration to transition the incoming 9th graders


• Collaborate with Administration and PUC Schools Clinical Counseling team to ensure all students receive the appropriate personal/social support such as, but not limited to, self-concept development, academic concerns, behavior problems, social skills, peer relationships, family concerns, development, academic concerns, grief and loss issues, child abuse, substance abuse, depression/ suicide, and gender identity issues


• Participate in Individual Education Plan meetings as it pertains to college counseling and contributes to the development of the student’s ITP for your caseload


• Co-coordinate credit recovery efforts with Administration

Culture & Values

• Collaborate with all stakeholders to create a college-bound culture for all students


• Collaborate with Administration to support PCE curriculum


• Develop and support college exposure opportunities for all students via representative visits, field trips, college tours, and alumni presentations


• Create and implement career and college readiness presentations for 9th-12th grade

Record Keeping

• Use PowerSchool and Naviance to assist with the tracking of students’ records


• Enter historical grades on transcripts (credit recovery, summer school, grades earned outside PUC high school)


• Maintain student records in Naviance regarding career and post-secondary education plans and use data to drive counseling practices


• Keep college materials relevant and up-to-date

Early College/Concurrent Enrollment

• Coordinate classes between Administration and community college


• Promote, recruit, and register students for community college/early college high school classes


• Maintain communication with professors and community college contact


• Support students with managing college enrollment responsibilities (requesting transcripts, verifying enrollment, dropping classes, etc.)


• Keep record of the roster and final grades of community college classes

Financial Aid Awareness, Strategic Planning & Document Submission

• Educate students and families regarding financial aid options


• Promote scholarship opportunities and assist with application completion for students in 9th-12th grade


• Hold a FAFSA/California Dream Act application workshop for seniors and parents


• Facilitate one on one meetings with 95% of seniors and their families to review ILP and college options

Professional Development

• Attend and participate in school-based and PUC-wide meetings and activities


• Attend counselor conferences to receive recent information on university admission requirements and financial aid


• Attend WACAC Conference and NACAC Conference as Administration and budget permits

Time Management and Professionalism

• Make self-available to parents and students during school and after school as scheduled


• Follow administrative processes and procedures (time off, orders, reimbursements, office materials, etc.) Processes may be specific to each school site


• Perform other duties as assigned

What do we require from you?

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Counseling or related field, or equivalent training and experience required


• MA/MS degree in School Counseling from an accredited college or university preferred


• California Clear PPS Credential in School Counseling/Guidance required

Experience:

• Experience working with high school students


• Experience working in an urban school setting

Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of diversity in society, including diverse abilities, culture, language, ethnicity, and gender orientation


• Proficient with Microsoft Suite: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook


• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written)


• Alignment with core characteristics required of every PUC employee: the pursuit of excellence, innovation, community, tenacity, and authenticity


• Able to work with parents, students, faculty, post-secondary educational representatives, as well as school community groups


• Able to understand school graduation requirements and parallel entrance requirements for post-secondary institutions


• Able to motivate students and provide academic incentives for success


• Able to understand the relationship between school curriculum and college programs


• Able to understand the unique social-emotional needs of individual students


• Management and team-building skills


• Must be flexible and team-oriented


• Able to multi-task in a fast-paced environment


• Bilingual in Spanish preferred


• Strong work ethic, accountability, and ownership of work


• Regular attendance, dependability, and punctuality in conformance with the standards are essential to the successful performance of this position

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. Occasionally required to kneel, climb and reach with hands and arms above shoulder level, lift up to 30 pounds. To bend, sit, stand, squat, stoop, walk, push, pull, and reach with hands and arms at shoulder level or below. Always required to wear the appropriate safety equipment for the task, which may include gloves, goggles, aprons, belts, etc.

Compensation & Benefits:

• This is a full-time exempt, salaried position


• Our benefits include:
  
  
  
  • Comprehensive group health benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision and additional voluntary benefits
  
  
  • STRS and other Retirement Plan Options
  
  
  • Sick Time Off
  
  
  • Ongoing Professional Development

DISCLAIMER: This job description indicates in general the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities, and other essential functions (as covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act) expected of an incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of an incumbent. An incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as required Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job. Nothing in this position description changes the at-will employment relationship existing between the Institution and its employees.

PUC Schools is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, mental or physical disability, and genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, military status, protected veteran status or any other category protected by law.

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