Guidance Counselor

Who We Are

Charter Schools USA (CSUSA) is one of the largest and highest ­performing education management companies in the United States, proudly serving over 82,000 students in over 150 schools in four states. Founded by Jonathan Hage in 1997, CSUSA's mission is a Relentless Commitment to Student Greatness in School and in LifeTM. CSUSA provides an academically rigorous education to students equipping them with real world readiness, prepared for college or career after graduation. With an unwavering dedication to the success of students from every background, CSUSA is closing the gaps in achievement and opportunity, keeping our promise of Strong Minds, Good HeartsTM.

Job Purpose

To join a team of people with the mission: Relentless Commitment to Student Greatness in School and in Life TM. If you love inspiring and motivating young learners and want to put students first in education, CSUSA is the right place for you. We deliver on our promise of Strong Minds, Good HeartsTM through an education model that gives every student the opportunity for success. As a Guidance Counselor I, you will be responsible for helping students achieve personal fulfillment by providing them with guidance and counseling services to make successful personal, educational and occupational life plans.

How You Will Impact Education

• Assists students in evaluating their aptitudes and abilities through the use of teacher comments, interpretation of individual standardized test scores and other pertinent data. Works with students in evolving educational and career plans in terms of such evaluation.
• Provides individual counseling sessions for assigned students in dealing with their personal needs as they affect school performance, as well as their educational and career plans.
• Provides small and large group counseling sessions, as needed, to address students' personal educational and career plans.
• Assists students in course selections and the scheduling process. Works to prevent students from dropping out of school and assists those that do in finding alternative educational programs.
• Assists in making arrangements for enrollment in summer school programs to make up noted deficiencies.
• Participates in follow-up studies of former students for the purpose of improving services and evaluating the effectiveness of the educational program being offered by the school.
• Provides emergency support to students as needed during crises.
• Provides students with college financial aid/scholarship resources and assists with college selection (High School).

Staff Consultation

• Serves as a consultant to the faculty concerning matters related to guidance services.
• Confers with staff regarding students with problems and/or special needs.
• Serves as a resource person for administration in matters relating to students and guidance services; provides thorough and timely reports, data, etc. as requested by administration.

Student and Parent Orientation

• Provides new students with an orientation and information relative to school procedures, curriculum and extra-curricular opportunities.
• Participates in planning and implementing programs which contribute to a smooth transition between grade levels and/or to post-secondary education, which may include orientation programs for students and parents.
• Serves as a resource for information regarding the educational program, activities and services of the school.

Record Keeping

• Supervises the maintenance of cumulative records for assigned students in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations as well as CSUSA policy.
• Provides information and prepares recommendations to colleges for admissions and scholarships as well as to potential employers and other agencies for assigned students.
• Maintains counseling record (i.e., summary, log) regarding conferences or other sessions with assigned students.

Assessment

• Assists in the administration of state-mandated and CSUSA assessment programs.
• Reviews and interprets results of assessment programs for assigned students and utilizes results for counseling purposes.
• Contributes to the evaluation of current curriculum offerings.
• Assists in developing and implementing an evaluation plan for the guidance program and utilizes results to determine strengths and areas in need of improvement.

School and Community Relations

• Strives to establish cooperative relations and makes a reasonable effort to communicate with parents when necessary and appropriate.
• Utilizes the resources of the community in developing and enhancing guidance services and activities.
• Cooperates and shares professionally with members of the staff.
• Assists in interpreting the Guidance Services Program within the school and community.
• Assists community agencies and resource people who deal with students' needs.

Required Qualifications and Skills

• Demonstrates enthusiasm and commitment toward the position and the mission of the company; support the company's values in the strategic areas of academic excellence, operational performance, superior culture, and financial health and growth, as outlined in the Employee Handbook.
• Has strong time management & organizational skills and the ability to prioritize effectively and complete work with little supervision within agreed timeline.
• Has the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with teachers, students, parents, the community, and administrative staff. As unique situations present themselves, the employee must be sensitive to corporate needs, employee goodwill, and the public image.
• Possesses excellent communication skills: Oral (including presentations), Written, Interpersonal (active listening), Negotiating and Influencing.
• Has the ability to be at work consistently, to be on time, to follow instructions, to respond to management direction and to solicit feedback to improve performance.
• Demonstrates proficient experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Student Information System (SIS) and email communications.
• Looks for ways to improve and promote quality and demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.
• Strives consistently to implement best practices and positive character education.
• Has the ability to demonstrate flexible and creative management of disciplinary issues.
• Has the ability to provide a supportive role to the Principal.
• Possesses detailed knowledge of Federal, State, and local requirements for K-12 schools and charter school law.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university or equivalent.
• Possession of valid certification for Guidance Counselor.
• Minimum three (3) years' experience of successful teaching or counseling services.
• Successful results of criminal and employment background check.
• Looks for ways to improve and promote quality and demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness. Strives to research, evaluate, and implement best practices.
• Effective communication skills.
• Commitment to company values.
• Such alternatives to the above requirements as CSUSA may find appropriate and acceptable.
• May perform other duties assigned.

Work Environment

While performing the responsibilities of this position, the work environment characteristics listed below are representative of the environment the employee will encounter:

• Usual schools working conditions.
• May be noisy during high student traffic

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.

• No physical exertion required.
• Somewhat stressful due to frequent student activity.
• Light work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force as frequently as needed to move objects.

FLSA Overtime Category

Job is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.