Instructional Support School Counselor (Middle School)
Job Description
AoC’s Vision: Every child in our diverse community reaches academic, social and personal excellence.
AoC’s Mission: Academy of the City fosters community, supports families, welcomes children of all backgrounds, celebrates diversity and promotes social justice. With our challenging, hands-on liberal arts experience we strive to develop joyful, creative, independent and successful lifelong learners.
DATE: September 2022
POSITION: School Counselor (Middle School)
QUALIFICATIONS:
- A Master’s degree or higher degree in School Counseling or Social Work.
- Clinical and supervisory experience preferred.
- New York State Certification in School Counseling.
- Commitment to the mission, goals, educational philosophy, and activities of Academy of the City Charter School, as described in the school’s charter.
- Demonstrated and successful record of prior employment as a counselor or social worker in an educational environment for a minimum of three years.
- Demonstrated ability to work productively with staff and with diverse populations of students, parents, and families—including students, parents, and families with limited
- English proficiency.
- Demonstrated understanding of issues facing children and youth in urban areas, especially those from immigrant families and poverty-level families.
- Commitment to continuous improvement and learning through professional development.
- Knowledge of the NYC High School application process, and the ability to lead students through it in their preparation and application to public (including charter) private and independent schools and their scholarship programs.
- Must be able to provide proof of Covie-19 vaccination.
About the Position:
The School Counselor will focus on the 7th and 8th grade students and their preparation for high school. The Counselor will aim to ensure that all seventh and eighth graders participate in enrichment activities that will aid in high school readiness, the acquisition of soft skills, organization, and further develop their critical thinking skills that will prepare them for a successful high school transition (ie. financial literacy, citizenship). Additionally, this role works closely with other members of the middle school team and reports to the Middle School Principal.
The ideal candidate will have at least two years of prior experience working in a middle school setting and has knowledge of New York City’s high school application process to support students’ interpersonal and executive functioning abilities.
Key Responsibilities:
- Facilitate and support a schoolwide a culture of high school rigor and success among 7th and 8th graders through the development and facilitation of workshops, lessons, and activities throughout the school year
- Create resources and facilitate day and evening workshops for families and students regarding high school readiness and its process
- Support and track the academic and social progress of each student in powerschool and school developed tracking tools and facilitate activities that will aid in each students’ high school preparedness
- Participate in cross-department planning to help shape and implement initiatives
- Plan, facilitate, manage and oversee senior events, such as monthly college/high school tours, prom, the senior trip, the yearbook, and graduation; collaborate with the middle school administrative team to secure venues
- Work closely with 7-8th grade faculty to identify students’ strengths and areas of growth, and address students’ academic needs in relation to the high school application process
- Collaborate with the advisory coordinator in the development of advisory lessons and lead an advisory group
- Support additional aspects of AoCMS program operations as determined by the administrative team
- Develop and maintain relationships with middle school students and their families
- Counsel students whose behavior, school progress, or situations indicate a need for assistance, and arranging for needed services
- Consult with parents, teachers, and other school personnel to determine causes of problems, such as truancy and misbehavior, develop and implement solutions and monitor for success
- Develop and review plans in consultation with students, their families, and school staff and follow-up to assessing the quantity and quality of services provided and effectiveness of the intervention strategy
- Collect supplementary information needed to assist students, such as medical records or school reports
- Supportschool staff in addressing issues such as suspected child abuse and neglect and acting as school liaison with the New York City Administration for Children’s Services (ACS)
- Maintaining case history, records and preparing reports, assist with legal issues such as hearings and providing testimony as requested
- Refer students to community resources for services
- Address emergency situations impacting students—e.g. lead group counseling sessions that provide support in such areas as grief, stress, or chemical dependency
- Arrange for medical, psychiatric, and other tests that may disclose causes of difficulties and indicate remedial measures
- Serve as a liaison between students, homes, schools, family services, child guidance clinics, courts, protective services, doctors, and other contacts to help children who face problems such as disabilities, abuse, or poverty
- Interview students individually, in families, or in groups and assess their situations, capabilities, and issues to determine what services are required to meet their needs.
- Other responsibilities as assigned by the school leadership as needed.
The ideal candidate is:
- Dedicated to the AoC mission and an anti-racist curriculum/education
- Aligned to AoCMS core values
- Detailed-oriented with strong organizational and time management skills
- A “go-getter” that has a sense of urgency in closing the achievement, opportunity, and digital gap
- A team player that has a desire to work in a team-oriented environment and collaborate with colleagues
- Able to analyze student data, be an advocate for student academic needs, and have collaborative discussions with teachers
- A believer in restorative justice practices and is able to implement an interdisciplinary and holistic approach to meeting students’ needs
SALARY: Commensurate with experience
STARTING DATE: September, 2022
ENDING DATE: June 30, 2023
ACADEMY OF THE CITY CHARTER SCHOOL IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER AND DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF RACE, SEXUAL ORIENTATION ETHNIC ORIGIN, SEX, OR DISABILITY IN ITS EMPLOYMENT POLICIES.
How to Apply
There are two ways to apply:- Submit an application through the job's Indeed link.
- By email to JStarkenburg@academyofthecity.org (you must include the job title in the subject line of your email).
