JOB DESCRIPTION

College and Career Readiness Counselor

Who is Purpose Built Schools Atlanta?

Purpose Built Schools is building a network of high-performing schools in Atlanta’s lowest-income communities, utilizing the highly successful model of Drew Charter School. Our mission is to turn around failing schools and put all children on a trajectory for success through college and in their careers. In the process, we will help revitalize the neighborhood they serve.

Purpose Built Schools is a first-of-its-kind innovative partnership with Atlanta Public Schools (APS) that is designed to turn around some of the system’s most troubled schools. We operate a K–12 feeder pattern of traditional public schools, but with the flexibility and full autonomy of a charter school. This unique approach allows us to combine the best of both traditional neighborhood schools and charter programs. We believe we can deliver outstanding results for our students and communities through high-quality instruction, intentional interventions and enrichment opportunities, and a strategic approach to serving our families’ needs beyond the schools’ walls.

Where would I be working?

Carver STEAM Academy, a Purpose Built Schools-Atlanta high school, opened in July 2018, on the Carver campus, as part of a robust “cradle -to-college” pipeline. PBSA’s innovative academic model of Project- Based Learning (PBL), incorporating a Science Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) theme, will effectively close both the achievement gaps and the opportunity gaps for children from diverse backgrounds.

What would my role be?

Carver STEAM is seeking a collaborative, service-oriented, professional, student-centered, customer-service minded College and Career Readiness to join our Counseling Department. The College and Career Readiness Counselor is directly responsible to the principal.

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  Please note the duties above are not an all-inclusive list.

What would my responsibilities be?

1. Promote Purpose Built Schools counseling program by:

• Possessing the knowledge, abilities, skills, and attitudes necessary to plan, organize, implement and evaluate a comprehensive, developmental, results-based school counseling program.
• Proving system support through effective school counseling program management and support for other educational programs.
• Providing responsive services through the effective use of individual and small-group counseling, consultation and referral skills.
• Implementing school counseling curriculum through the use of effective instructional skills and careful planning of structured group sessions for all students.

2. Facilitate delivery of counseling services by:

• Conducting individual counseling with students.
• Conducting group counseling/advisement with students in the areas of educational and career needs.
• Coordinating and leading the assessment administration for PSAT, SAT, ACT, and Advanced Placement.
• Assisting with administration and interpretation of standardized testing.
• Ensuring that all students receive appropriate college and career readiness advisement.
• Consulting with school staff on student problems and concerns as needed or requested.
• Consulting with parents on student problems and concerns as needed or as requested.
• Promoting the use of community resources in meeting student needs.
• Advocating for equity of services for all students.
• Engaging in professional development activities.
• Applying newly acquired professional knowledge.

3. Follow professional practices consistent with Purpose Built Schools and Atlanta Public Schools policies by:

• Interacting in a professional manner with students, parents and colleagues.
• Being available to students, parents, and colleagues in accordance with system policies.
• Facilitating home and school communication by such means as holding conferences, telephoning and sending written communications.
• Maintaining confidentiality of students, students' records, parents, staff, and school business.
• Working cooperatively with school administrators, teachers, and other service personnel, and parents.
• Modeling correct use of oral and written language.
• Demonstrating accurate and up-to-date knowledge of content.

4. Comply with Purpose Built Schools, Atlanta Public Schools, and Georgia’s policies and regulations by:

• Conducting counseling activities at the time scheduled.
• Supporting policies and regulations concerning student conduct and discipline.
• Being punctual.
• Maintaining plans as required by school policy.
• Implementing designated educational and career counseling curriculum.
• Maintaining accurate, complete, and appropriate records and reporting promptly.
• Attending and participation in faculty meetings and other assigned meetings and activities according to school policy.
• Complying with conditions as stated in the individual's contract.

5. Act in a professional manner and shall assume responsibility for the counseling program by:

• Taking precautions to protect records, equipment, materials, and facilities.
• Assuming responsibility for supervising students.

6. The School Counselor shall:

• Provide to the students’ information for postsecondary plans, financial aid, and scholarship information.
• Plan and coordinate the college and career advisement program for the school.
• Evaluate transcripts and review records in order to advise students and faculty members about course selections and placement.

Qualifications

• School Counseling Georgia Educator Certificate or meet professional qualifications of the district.
• 3-5 years of HS counseling experience preferred.
• Ability to work well with and collaborate with students, parents, faculty, and community is required.
• High integrity, excellent character, and good professional reputation are essential.
• Abide by the Georgia Professional Standards Code of Ethics for Educators.
• Ability to be regularly, predictably, and reliably at work.
• Ability to perform tasks involving prolonged periods of standing, walking, and sitting.
• Ability to perform routine physical activities such as bending and lifting/pushing/pulling up to 50 pounds.
• Vision, hearing, written, and verbal communications are essential factors in performing required tasks.

Physical Abilities and Working Conditions

The Physical Abilities and Other Conditions of Continued Employment listed in this section are representative of, but are not intended to provide an exhaustive list of Physical Abilities and Other Conditions of Continued Employment which may be required of positions in this class. Purpose Built Schools Atlanta encourages persons with disabilities who are interested in employment in this class and need reasonable accommodation of those disabilities to contact the Human Resources Department for further information.

• Vision: Ability to read small print and view a computer screen for prolonged periods.
• Hearing: Ability to answer telephones and tolerate exposure to noisy conditions.
• Speech: Ability to be understood in face-to-face communications; to speak with a level of proficiency and volume to be understood over a telephone.
• Upper Body Mobility: Ability to use hands and fingers to feel, grasp, and manipulate small objects; manipulate fingers, twist and bend at wrist and elbow; extend arms to reach outward and upward; use hands and arms to lift objects; turn, raise, and lower head.
• Strength: Ability to lift, push, pull and/or carry objects which weigh as much as 5 or more pounds on a frequent basis. Incumbent may be required to physically restrain parties involved in a conflict.
• Environmental Requirements: Ability to encounter constant work interruptions; work cooperatively with others; work independently; work indoors.
• Mental Requirements: Ability to read, write, understand, interpret and apply information at a moderately complex level essential for successful job performance; math skills at a high school proficiency level; judgment and the ability to process information quickly; learn quickly and follow verbal procedures and standards; give verbal instruction; rank tasks in order of importance; copy, compare, compile and coordinate information and records.

Compensation

• 211-day position
• Salary Range: $59,277 - $95,351
• Work Hours: 7:45am – 4:15pm
• Purpose Built Schools Atlanta offers all full-time staff members a broad, generous benefits package

Purpose Built Schools Atlanta is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Purpose Built Schools Atlanta assures Equal Employment Opportunities and equal education opportunities for employees and students as required by Federal and State Orders and Laws. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential tasks. This job description is intended to accurately reflect the position activities and requirements. However, management and administration reserve the right to modify, add, or remove duties and assign other duties as necessary. It is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills, or working conditions associated with the position.