High School Counselor (Fy24-25)

Company Description
KIPP KC is part of a national network of free, open-enrollment, college-preparatory charter schools with a track record of preparing students in educationally underserved communities for success in college and in life.
Together with families and communities, KIPP Kansas City Public Schools works to create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence they need to pursue the paths they choose - college, career, and beyond - so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world. We are a Pre-K through 10th grade school located in the historical 18th and Vine District. We are part of a national network of free, open-enrollment, college-preparatory charter schools with a track record of preparing students in educationally underserved communities for success in life. KIPP KC opened its first school, KIPP Endeavor Academy, in 2007 with approximately 31 fifth grade students. Today, KIPP Kansas City has grown to serve students in Pre-Kindergarten through 11th grade and is currently educating approximately 850 students.
Job Description
Reporting to the Director of Support Service, the KIPP High School Counselor is responsible for implementing the comprehensive school counseling program and This position has 4 major categories of work: 1) Social Emotional Learning 2) Individual Student Planning 3) Responsive Services 4) System Support. They will be a positive contributor to the entire KIPP team and family to ensure strong preparation for students throughout their High School academic career to help students create the future they choose.
Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Social Emotional Learning (Direct Student Services)

• Implements and evaluates social emotional learning and comprehensive college and career counseling programs for High School students.
• Implements the secondary comprehensive counseling program by conducting identity affirming social emotional learning activities in the classroom as planned in conjunction with school administrators and teachers; consults with and serves as a resource to teachers to facilitate the infusion of culturally affirming social emotional learning activities.
• Conducts structured, goal oriented counseling sessions to meet the emotional, physical and psychological health needs of individuals or a group of students covering topics including self-awareness, self-identity and sexuality, address barriers around: academic success, external factors (family, community), peer interactions.
• Performs individual and group counseling and guidance functions and activities (e.g. college, career, social-emotional, etc.) for the purpose of enhancing student success.
• Collaboratively implement suicide prevention programming.

Individual Student Planning

• Develops educational and career plans for groups and individual students:
  
  • Support with middle school to High School transition including developing orientation activities for new students and incoming freshman; participates in orientation programs for parents and students.
  • Assists students in completing and updating of the "Personal Plan of Study"
  • Guides 9th-12th graders in evaluating their current status and requirements for High School graduation
  • Maintains accurate records (graduation requirement worksheet and transcripts) on each student in the current Student Information System
  • Supports with High School student scheduling
  • Coordinates with teachers and administrators on the enrollment process
  • Tracks student Market-Value Assets

System Supports

• Participates in and facilitates the support team processes: assumes an active role in designing, implementing, monitoring, and adjusting educational plans for individual students.
• Periodically reviews the comprehensive counseling program with staff and administrators, using the program evaluation self-study; reviews and modifies the program calendar and evaluates guidance learning activities.
• Reviews and stays informed on individual student credits
• Advises students and families on course selection for the purpose of securing appropriate placement and meeting their graduation and post-secondary eligibility requirements.
• Participate in IEP, 504, Student of Concern, and other student focused meetings.
• Assists staff members with parent or district referrals for section 504 for the purpose of determining eligibility and educational modifications and/or accommodations.
• Collaboratively develops a variety of special programs (e.g. career night, financial aid workshops, parents meetings, etc.) for the purpose of providing information to assist students in the successful transition to KIPP Forward & postsecondary options.
• Monitors students' progress for the purpose of identifying issues and taking appropriate action for increasing student success.
• Supports implementation of restorative and trauma sensitive practices and policies
• Directly advises and counsels High School students and prepares strong transition plans for KIPP Forward in junior and senior year.

Responsive Services

• Collaborates with administration, staff, student, families and community for the purpose of supporting and/or solving educational and socio-emotional issues.
• Supports with student McKinney-Vento identification
• Supports Crisis Prevention and Response
• Helps coordinate and partners with the KIPP Forward team to support career pathways, such as college admissions.
• Supports identifying students at-risk of not having credits and collaborates with stakeholders to create a plan for student success.

Job success measured by:

• Social Emotional Learning:
  
  • 90% students report on 1 skill or concept acquired during quarterly assessment
  • 10% increase from semester 1 to semester 2 in one social emotional learning area according to the Panorama survey.
• Individual Student Planning: 100% identified as at-risk for not reaching required credits has an individual plan created and progress monitored.
• System Supports: 100% of students have credit progress tracked each semester.
• Responsive Services: 100% of referrals are completed and documented.

Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
Master's degree or higher in education, school counseling, social work, counseling, counseling psychology or a closely related mental health discipline.
The ideal High School Counselor candidate has a master's degree or higher degree in education, school counseling, counseling, counseling psychology, or a closely related mental health discipline. Missouri Certification in School Counseling or Licensed Professional Counselor.
Additional Information
Salary for this position is competitive and commensurate with experience. Additionally, KIPP KC offers a comprehensive benefits package including health coverage and retirement.