Counselor Job Description     

The Academy of Our Lady Peace is seeking a Head Counselor who wants to make a positive impact on the lives of students, especially young women, within a comprehensive counseling program.  We are seeking a visionary counselor who will help implement our vision of becoming the leading high school for young women in Southern California.

The Head Counselor both models and communicates the school mission, philosophy, and core values while modeling behavior that inspires excellence, helping students grow to become young women of heart, faith, and courage in the spirit of the Sisters of St. Joseph.

Role and Primary Function:      

The Department Chair (Head Counselor) is charged with the responsibility of developing and coordinating a framework of policies and procedures for the counseling department under the auspices of the Strategic Plan and in coordination/communication with the Assistant Principal of Instruction.  He/she shall supervise and direct the counseling services in the school and see that the following are provided for all students:

• Personal/Social/Academic Advisement  

• College/Career Planning Advisement   

• Scholarship information  

• Testing (Educational, Vocational, Psychological)  

• Scheduling (Course Planning/programming)  

• Programs associated with social and emotional wellness

• Classroom accommodations for students with identified special needs  (Sisters and Scholars Program)

Responsibilities in correspondence with Assistant Principal of Instruction:      

• Supervise activities and directives relative to the department.

• Oversee and manage the schedule of the counseling office faculty.

• Provide continual supervision and consultation with all members of the department.

• Organize and schedule monthly department meetings.

• Supervise and organize coffee with counselors

• Maintain approval process for proposed purchases by counseling members including (materials, services, professional development, t-shirts—all costs that subtract from the budget) prior to the purchasing of these materials.

• Create and maintain an accurate budget.

• Participate in the creation of the agenda for CAPS meetings

• Acquaint department members with professional growth materials and activities including suggestions for professional development.

• Ensure counselor participation to share learning from conferences, college visits, etc. with the rest of the department. 

• Consult with and provide necessary data (test scores/D’s and F’s/changes to A-G requirements, college board/SAT and AP changes) to the Assistant Head of School and Assistant Principal of Curriculum & Instruction.

• Ensure a strong presence of counselors on-site at all times.

• Ensure equity of responsibilities in a spirit of fairness amongst all counselors, taking into account how an absence affects the work of all members of the department.

• Coordinate counseling related to scheduling procedures for the students.

• Coordinate the school-wide standardized testing program.  

• Serve as a support for to counselors struggling to meet needs of students or department

• Supervise/Aid in the identification of students with special aptitudes and/or needs, including recommendations for tutoring services, and professional counseling referrals.

• Perform duties of an academic and personal counselor.  

• Be available for crisis intervention from student, faculty, and parent referrals.

• Acquaint faculty members with department policies and procedures.

• Act as coordinator and primary communicator between departments, staff, and administrators, for appropriate referrals to counselors and/or outside agencies.  

• Maintain contact and utilize community agencies that will provide additional services for student needs.  

• Supervise and delegate programs to develop social and emotional intelligence among students.

• Manage communications through newsletters, bulletins, emails, and announcements to maintain positive public relations.

• Supervise/delegate intervention steps necessary for students who are at risk of failing.

• Facilitate end of the year awards assemblies in partnership with Assistant Principal of Instruction

• Represent Counseling Department members at Curriculum Council meetings.

• Participate in professional groups and meetings pertinent to the Counseling and Education fields, including representation of the department at Diocesan and other Guidance Organizations (when appropriate or necessary).

• Supervise maintenance of student files.

• Maintain confidentiality of information and clearly communicate to others the need for, limits of, and the reason for confidentiality standards.  

• Provide communication with parents who have grievances in relation to counseling. Follow-up with counselors (if applicable) and Assistant Principal of Curriculum & Instruction.

• Perform additional assignments/tasks/initiatives as needed by the Assistant Principal of Curriculum of Instruction and the Assistant Head of School and Head of School.  

• Represent and model professional behavior for all communication pertaining to the counseling department.

• Remain flexible and open to reasonable communication to address the needs of administrators during vacation time and summers by responding via email or phone call when necessary.