Anticipate Temporary School Counselor (December Start)

Requirements:  Master's degree
in school counseling AND current ISBE Professional Educator License (PEL) with
a School Counseling Endorsement          

Reports to: Principal

Evaluated by: Principal

PRIMARY
FUNCTION

As
vital members of the school’s educational leadership team, professional school
counselors provide comprehensive, developmental supports within the academic,
personal/social, and career domains to ensure that today's students become the
productive, well-adjusted adults of tomorrow. School counselors are uniquely
trained professional educators with a mental health perspective who understand
and respond to the challenges presented by today’s diverse student population.
School counselors provide proactive leadership to engage all stakeholders in
the delivery of programs and services to help all students achieve success in school¹.

MAJOR JOB
RESPONSIBILITIES

Create, Implement, and Evaluate a
Comprehensive School Counseling Program aligned with the Chicago Public Schools
(CPS) REACH Framework for School Counselors¹:

The
Framework is aligned to the American School Counselor Association National
Model for School Counseling Programs² and outlines a comprehensive
counseling program that delivers services equitably to all students in the building.

Conduct Annual Needs Assessments and
Data Reviews to Determine and Prioritize Student Needs:

The
school counselor will conduct an annual needs assessment and data review to
identify critical areas of student need. The school counselor will then create
targeted program goals aligned to the schoolwide goals, mission, and vision.
This ensures that school counseling services address critical areas of
demonstrated need, resulting in improved academic achievement.

Implement the School Counseling Core
Curriculum:

In
order to reach all students, the school counselor will design, conduct, and
co-teach learning activities in classroom, large group, and/or school wide
settings, based on the academic, career, postsecondary and social/emotional
needs of the students so as to facilitate the infusion of school counseling as
an integral component of the total education curricula. Activities to support
this objective may include: classroom guidance; high school/college/career
fairs; high school/college/career tours; grade-level or school-wide team
building activities.

Provide Individual Student Planning
Activities:

In
collaboration with students, staff, and families, the school counselor will
create an academic plan that ultimately results in the successful obtainment of
a diploma and postsecondary option(s) of choice. Activities to support this
objective may include: facilitation of completion of the Individual Learning
Plan in Naviance; transition activities (i.e orientations, HS app process);
events to inform families of test results and their implications for
educational planning; advisement to ensure students are on-track to the next
grade level or phase in life.

Provide Responsive Services:

In
collaboration with students, staff, and families, the school counselor will
provide responsive services to address students’ barriers to academic
achievement. Activities to support this objective may include: facilitation of
small groups; structured, short-term, goal-oriented individual counseling
sessions; participation in building-level student assistance teams;
facilitation of conferences with students, teachers, and families; consultation
with teachers, families, and external partners regarding the developmental
needs of students; schoolwide support during crisis or emergency situations;
participation in IEP/504 Plan teams. Please note that school counselors do NOT
provide therapeutic treatment of a mental, emotional, or bodily disorder.

Provide Indirect Student Support:

Indirect
services are provided on behalf of students as a result of the school
counselor’s interactions with others. Activities to support this objective may
include: referral of students/families to district and community resources;
sharing strategies that support student achievement with parents, teachers,
other educators, and community organizations; serving as a student advocate to
promote student development within the three domains; serving as the school’s
resident expert on student development; reaching out to other experts and
stakeholders to obtain information on students’ needs;
teaming/partnering/serving on committees and advisory boards; creating
formalized partnerships with community based organizations.

Provide System Support:

As
professionals, leaders, and advocates in the school building, the school
counselor will coordinate, conduct and participate in activities that
contribute to the effective operation of the school consistent with the
approved school counseling program. Activities to support this objective may
include: creation of an annual school counseling Evidence-Based Implementation
Plan and Annual Agreement to support overall school goals and objectives;
creation and delivery of needs assessments to determine the primary needs of
students according to a variety of audiences; collection and aggregation of
multiple data sources in order to determine need, as well as to progress
monitor counseling interventions; protection of planning time for the creation
and modification of counseling interventions; coordination of professional
development/inservice programs for faculty and staff.

Participate in Regular Professional
Development:

So
as to stay current with evidenced-based practices in the field, the school
counselor will actively participate in district, state, and national
professional development; participate in professional associations; read
professional journals; attend workshops and conferences; engage in continuing
education coursework.

References:

1:
REACH Framework for School Counselors

2: American School
Counseling Association National Model for School Counseling Programs

Benefits:

Health & Wellness: Your Care, Your Choice

CPS is committed to providing comprehensive health coverage to our employees and their eligible dependents. You'll have access to a variety of choices to best fit your needs:

• Medical Plan Options
• Pharmacy
• Dental
• Vision
• Behavioral Health & EAP
• Employee Wellness Program

Financial Security: Planning for Today and Tomorrow

We understand the importance of financial stability, which is why CPS offers strong retirement and savings options:

• Basic Life Insurance
• Life and Disability Insurance
• Pension Plans
• Supplemental Retirement Plans (403(b) and 457(b))
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Spot Pet Insurance

Work-Life Balance: Supporting Your Personal and Professional Life

CPS values the well-being of its employees and offers competitive paid time off policies:

• Paid Leave
• Sick Leave
• Vacation Days
• Parental Leaves
• Short-Term Disability
• Religious Holidays
• Leaves

Reference the Chicago Public Schools: A Comprehensive Benefits Overview or the benefits handbook for comprehensive details.