UPAD High School - College and Career Counselor

Summary:
The College Counselor is primarily responsible for guiding and advocating for students in the
domains of Academic Development, Personal/Social Development, and Career Development.
Further, the counselor must be committed to distributed leadership, actively participate in a
professional learning community and embrace families and the community to achieve a common
outcome for the student achievement in a school. The candidate should possess strong
interpersonal and (oral/written) communication; be detail oriented, independent and flexible; as
well as have patience and empathy for adolescents and their families.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support University Prep Schools’ goal of maintaining 60-75% inner district middle school matriculation through various college counseling strategies and initiatives
• Manage a school-wide caseload of students
• Facilitate annual Educational Planning (EDP) meetings with 7 providing in-depth College utilizing career and interests’ assessment results as a resource
• Utilize relevant theory to provide counseling services geared towards 
• Personal/Social Development, with special emphasis with self-awareness and management of self
• Consult and partner-plan with school administration and instructors on school policies and pertinent student cases
• Facilitate, coordinate and attend college and career readiness events/activities, i.e. college tours, parent nights, college prep lectures, career expos, etc.
• Coordinate admissions presentations with college admissions representatives
• Manage college office files for student caseloads and other pertinent college office resources
• Utilize relevant technology platforms to manage college prep data and to promote student/parent engagement in college prep processes
• Provide limited services in crisis intervention and general mental health concerns for students as scheduling permits
• Make appropriate clinical referrals to partnering agencies for ongoing mental health services as identified
• Conduct ongoing research and disseminate information on college admissions, financial aid, and other pertinent post-secondary planning resources
• Attend school and district staff meetings as determined by school Principal
• Attend professional development conferences in college admissions and financial aid as required
• Perform these and other related duties as directed.

Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in an educational field is desirable
• Master’s degree in counseling strongly preferred
• Must hold a Michigan School Counselor License (SCL), or an NT endorsement in school counseling, or a preliminary authorization to work as a school counselor (with full licensure within one year).
• Minimum of 1-2 years working in an urban middle school setting is strongly preferred.

Desired Competencies

• Establish a healthy rapport with students and staff
• Plan, organize, and implement a Comprehensive College & Counseling Program and supportive activities according to state standards of practice
• Implement and follow through on simultaneous projects and tasks
• Contribute to the development of an objective, positive, supportive environment for staff and student
• Maintain knowledge of changing trends and best practices