SCHOOL COUNSELOR

Who We Are

Achievement Prep is an award-winning college-preparatory public charter school network committed to historically underserved communities of Southeast Washington, DC. Our mission is to prepare students to excel as high-achieving scholars and leaders in high school, college and beyond.

What You Will Do

The primary purpose of the School Counselor is to provide counseling and whole-school programming to address the social emotional needs of our scholars.  The School Counselor provides social and emotional supports that are designed to increase scholars’ availability for learning in the classroom, increase self-esteem, raise scholars’ expectations for achievement, and assist scholars in developing social skills needed for high school, college, and beyond.  The School Counselor provides the appropriate counseling intervention that will enhance scholars’ success while at Achievement Prep and afterward.  

Reporting to the Director of Scholar Support  and working hand-in-hand with the Wellness Team, you will:

Scholar Services

• Address social emotional needs of all scholars daily (school day: 8:00 AM – 4:15 PM M, T, Th, F and 8:00 AM – 1:30 PM Wed.)
• Use data to identify scholars in need of counseling/social service assistance
• Conduct individual and group counseling/therapy to scholars
• Provide scholar services including, but not limited to, organizational skills, working appropriately with others, and social skills
• Assist with individual scholar and school-wide crisis interventions
• Create and implement scholar incentives to support social skills development
• Identify community-based services and build mechanisms for referrals for mental health services in the community
• Link scholars and families to community-based services
• Participate actively in all required meetings on behalf of scholars being served
• Support the implementation of AM Prep for Prep (advisory/morning meeting) based on scholar data and school culture priorities
• Research and deliver social skills lessons to targeted advisories and groups based on data and character education lessons to all scholars
• Develop and monitor social-emotional goals for scholars receiving counseling services
• Conduct classroom observations of scholars
• Plan and lead parent workshops to develop parent capacity to support their child’s development at Achievement Prep
• Serve as liaison for homeless scholars
• Provide transition support for families of new and retained scholars

Documentation & Record Keeping

• Maintain confidential, accurate, and up-to-date records for all scholars/families receiving treatment services and submit monthly reports
• Develop, monitor, review and modify behavior intervention plans and functional behavior assessments, when needed
• Manage time, tasks, deadlines and responsibilities in a fast-paced environment

Staff Development

• Research, plan and coordinate in-service training programs for administrators, parents, teachers, etc. in understanding and meeting the social and emotional needs of scholars; scholar services issues; behavior management; and teaching social skills
• Consult with teachers regarding effective classroom management teaching strategies and appropriate work products and/or modifications to implement for struggling scholars
• Support all staff in developing and implementing effective classroom-based interventions to support scholar achievement
• Foster and develop an awareness of community issues that affect the school environment and intervene when appropriate
• Participate in training activities and clinical supervision provided by Achievement Prep
• Fulfill continuing education requirements consistent with respective discipline and keep licenses current
• Participate in grade level team meetings to effectively implement scholar interventions and support strategies
• Provide training for mandatory reporting

General School Support

• Serve as a primary reporter for child abuse/neglect concerns
• Participate actively in Scholar Support Team (SST) meetings
• Participate in any meetings for scholars on temporary caseload including, but not limited to, Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) meetings, Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meetings, and Manifestation Determination Review (MDR) meetings
• Collaboratively work with academic department to support scholars
• Engage in additional school-wide responsibilities, such as lunch/recess duty, hallway posts, events committees, etc.
• Receive continuous feedback from peers and school leaders on your practice and be expected to give the same
• Embody our core values of Determination, Respect, Enthusiasm, Accountability, and Mastery
• Exhibit an unwavering commitment to high academic achievement and character development in our scholars
• Be on campus from at least 7:30 AM to at least 5:00 PM daily
• Attend and support monthly Family Nights/events that invite families into the building

Be willing to take on additional responsibilities as necessary to fulfill Achievement Prep’s mission for our scholars 

You Must Have

• Masters degree in social work, psychology, or counseling
• Independent licensure to practice in field
• 2+ years of experience working with children in historically underserved communities

It Would Be Nice for You to Have

• 1+ years of experience in a school setting

Who You Are

You know and understand the power of education and have seen, first hand, that power manifested either in your life or in the lives of others.  You are committed to serving historically underserved communities knowing that your work is part of a larger ecosystem committed to change.  You believe in a quality public education for all and are determined to serve every child that comes your way.  You are unapologetically mission driven and will do whatever it takes to advance the work and ensure scholar achievement.  You are excited about not just the work, but doing the work at Achievement Prep.  You are familiar with our community and are not afraid of or by all the beauty and challenges that come with living in impoverished communities.  You value and respect everyone and demonstrate that respect in words and actions.

You understand that the needs of the whole child must be addressed in order to fully access her/his education.  You work relentlessly each day to ensure that happens for our most vulnerable scholars.  But you don’t allow their challenges to lower your bar for what you expect of them and what you teach others to expect of them when it comes to being an Achievement Prep Scholar.  You know that every minute counts for our scholars, so you structure your days to maximize your impact with scholars on your temporary caseload while simultaneously serving the broader scholar community with a laser focus on social-emotional trends you see across the school or with specific sub groups.  You respect timelines and know that meeting the same are not optional or to be taken for granted.  You are open to feedback, eager to grow, and bring your best to everything you do.  You know the work isn’t easy and don’t expect for it to be.  The grind of our mission ignites you.  You are not only capable of performing, but thrive in circumstances involving ambiguity and nuance.  You look for, or create, the joy in your day-to-day and want to work with others who do, too. 

What We Value

• 100% Scholars: You prioritize what’s best for scholars first.
• Results Without Excuses: You set, track and achieve ambitious goals; and you own the mistakes.
• Sweat the Small Stuff: You pay attention to the smallest details to ensure smooth, predictable, and effective outcomes.
• Community Matters – Mightily: You show care and respect for others – even when the work is taxing.
• Unapologetically Mission-Driven: You have a “whatever it takes” mentality in achieving the mission. 
• Many Minds, One Mission: You value and partner with parents and the community for the good of scholars.

What You Get

• Development: 
  • Ongoing weekly or bi-weekly coaching and development from direct supervisor
  • Regular internal professional development tailored to the requirements of the position and staff needs
  • Opportunities to participate in external professional development that increases effectiveness in the role
• Compensation & Benefits: Achievement Prep offers highly competitive compensation and benefits
  • Achievement Prep offers highly competitive compensation
  • Medical, vision, dental benefits
  • Flexible spending accounts for transit, dependent care, and medical expenses
  • 401k with automatic immediate employer matching up to 4%
• It Pays to Stay:  
  • Upon completion of 2 full school years of service, employees become eligible for annual loyalty incentives
  • Gifts and Achievement Prep swag
  • Bonuses

Achievement Prep encourages individuals of all identities and backgrounds to apply for this position. We are an equal opportunity employer fully committed to hiring a talented and diverse group of individuals. Achievement Prep does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, creed, color, national origin or ancestry, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other category protected by applicable law.