Academic & College Counselor

Academic Counseling:

1. Provide expert guidance and support to students across grades 9-12, aiding in the
formulation of strategic academic plans and thoughtful course selections.
2. Understand and enforce academic policies.
3. Conduct biannual individual meetings with students to craft a comprehensive four
year academic plan and address any academic challenges.
4. Implement targeted support plans for those who are struggling academically.
5. Foster collaborative relationships with faculty, parents/guardians, and students to
optimize academic support and student success.
6. Collaborate with the Mental Health Support and/or Learning Specialist to develop
tailored academic and/or personal interventions for students, as needed.
7. Assume responsibility for maintaining meticulous student academic records,
including tracking students with academic deficiencies, updating graduation progress
reports, and coordinating summer school enrollment.

College Counseling:

1. Provide personalized support to seniors, assisting with college list development,
application essay review, and application(s) review.
2. Conduct individual and group counseling presentations to students and
parents/guardians to address various aspects of the college application process.
3. Craft compelling letters of recommendation for each student in the caseload,
showcasing their academic achievements and personal attributes to prospective
colleges.
4. Actively participate in professional development activities such as admission
representative visits to campus, national conferences, and/or regional workshops, to
stay abreast of best practices in college admissions counseling.
5. Cultivate relationships with college admissions representatives to advocate for
students and stay informed about evolving admissions criteria.
6. Develop and deliver workshops and webinars addressing topics the college
admission process, such as college essay writing, UC/CSU applications, Financial Aid
and Common Applications.

Additional Responsibilities:

1. Serve as the designated point person for 12th-grade affairs, overseeing parent and
student informational sessions, senior awards, and college application workshops.
2. Offer compassionate social-emotional support to students as needed, connecting
them with the Mental Health Support for referrals and additional assistance.
3. Conduct thorough assessments of self-harm/suicide risk when necessary, adhering
to established documentation and reporting protocols.
4. Ensure compliance with DCFS reporting guidelines to safeguard student well-being.
5. Collaborate with the Counseling Department to design and implement parent
education programs and presentations.
6. Assist in coordinating counseling events, including grade level meetings and honor
award ceremonies.
7. Counselor hours vary from the regular teaching day. There may be a need to fulfill
added duties after school and on the occasional weekend.
8. Actively participate in ongoing professional development opportunities.
9. Fulfill additional duties as assigned by Administration.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Preferred:
Possession of a master's degree in
School Counseling or a related field, with a
preference for candidates holding a PPS
Credential.

• 3-5 years of college counseling and/or college

admission experience preferred.

• Previous experience in a high school setting.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication

skills.

• Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with a

diverse student population and collaborate with
parents and guardians in support of student
success.

• Proficiency in delivering engaging presentations

to both small and large groups.

• Availability to attend evening meetings,

professional development sessions, and off
campus activities as required.

• Thorough understanding and adherence to

ethical and legal guidelines established by
professional counseling associations such as the
American School Counselor Association and
NACAC.

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