Manager of Counseling Services - Great Lakes Learning Academy

Position Summary and Responsibilities

Working from Michigan, the Manager of Counseling will work in conjunction with the school’s leadership team to help students, ensuring that each child successfully completes his/her instructional program. The Manager of Counseling will provide direction to staff and will assist students and parents in understanding and meeting graduation requirements, course selection and scheduling, post-secondary school planning, and crisis intervention.

Key responsibilities include the following:

• Ensure the academic success of individual students by utilizing all levels of academic support available and by maintaining a high level of communication with parents to deliver program information and address individual student needs;


• Provide specified assistance to families in need of additional support to prevent unnecessary withdrawals and encourage a high level of participation;


• Handle any student problems escalated by parents and teachers;


• Develop, plan and implement counseling programs for students and families related to academic and career planning and graduation;


• Oversee and maintain the Personal Learning Plan (PLP) of each student;


• Keep abreast of all high school graduation requirements, including special requirements such as community service, and communicate this information to the Graduation Coach/College and Career Readiness Specialist and the principal;


• Plan and supervise the secondary school course selection process according to specific state credit and graduation requirements and student needs and interests.  An integral part of this process is assisting students and parents to develop a Four-Year Plan for meeting graduation requirements;


• Counsel students with issues related to dropping courses and changing schedules;


• Supervise the review of student transcripts and the entry of credits into the online transcript system;


• Develop and implement procedures to ensure that transcripts are accurate and up to date;


• Supervise efforts to secure complete and accurate records for GLLA students;


• Generate and authorize official transcripts for families upon request;


• Counsel families through the school withdrawal process, assisting with data collection regarding withdrawal;


• Develop, plan and implement counseling programs for students and families related to interpersonal adjustment issues;


• Design and implement crisis prevention and management plans for the school and provide leadership to the Crisis Management Team;


• Report and refer critical incidents that jeopardize student well-being as obligated by law, administrative regulations, or ethical standards;


• Lead school teams in identifying school and community resources and maintain an up-to-date list of those resources, making them available to school teams and to families;


• Develop and implement processes to regularly and frequently review the status of each secondary school student related to attendance, participation, and performance;


• Ensure that the counseling staff is able to assist teachers when students enroll mid-semester, making sure that teachers receive guidance on integrating the students into their coursework, and ensuring that previous grades, credits, and evaluations are handled appropriately;


• Research, develop and implement special programs such as Advanced Placement support, SAT and ACT Preparation, and college entrance preparation.


• Design and implement professional development activities for teachers and school staff members;


• Design and coordinate high school graduation ceremonies;


• Coordinate a team of staff, helping to identify students who are at risk or in crisis;


• Provide state testing support including logistics for scheduling, tracking participation and contracting for testing facilities;


• All other duties assigned

Qualifications

• Michigan Residency Preferred


• Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree from a regionally accredited college/university Required


• Meet Michigan Department of Education School Counselor Requirements


• Minimum 3 years of counseling experience in a secondary school setting preferred


• Michigan School Administration Certification


• Strong leadership qualities and a commitment to goal-directed management and accountability 


• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written 


• Knowledge of Professional Learning Communities


• Customer-focused approach 


• Flexible, ability to transition from task to task quickly 


• Demonstrated ability to work well in fast-paced environment 


• Team player 


• Technologically proficient (especially with Microsoft Office products and Google Suite) 


• Travel and attendance at in-person events, including State Testing is required throughout the school year, as determined by the school. This may require overnight travel


• Ability to work some occasional evening hours, as needed to support some families


• Must be able to use a personal electronic device and an email address for two-step authentication