JOB SPECIFICATION

COUNSELOR ON SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT (COSA)

THE POSITION

Under the general direction of the ESS Director(s) overseeing secondary education, the Counselor on Special Assignment (COSA) will be responsible for assisting counselors to evaluate current counseling programs and focusing efforts on student outcomes while closing student achievement gaps. The COSA will facilitate opportunities for site counselors to evaluate data on current counseling programs and promote systemic change so every student graduates college or career ready. The COSA will identify barriers and supports to counselor success and assist in improving both counselor and student outcomes. The COSA will support the ongoing implementation, and curricular enhancements for the college and career-planning program.  Additionally, the COSA will support the social emotional staff at all levels to ensure programs and practices are in place to support both student and staff social/emotional needs.  The COSA will participate in the development, implementation, and expansion of school site intervention programs such as Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). 

RESPONSIBLE TO:  Director(s) overseeing secondary education

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This position classification requires subject matter expertise commonly taught in public schools, as well as counseling and guidance knowledge and skills. Responsibility and directly-related experience is required to perform problem analysis using widely prescribed principles and concepts. The position classification performs decision analysis and makes decisions of considerable consequence, requiring the application and interpretation of data, facts, procedures, and policies. The COSA will meet frequently with school administrators, counselors, teachers, other staff, and parents to communicate information, data, and alternative problem solutions.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

The duties listed are typical, but not exclusive:

• Assist the Director(s) overseeing secondary education in providing quality professional development for counselors, which promotes professional growth and expertise.
• Provide technical support and training on counseling-related programs to counselors, teachers, and district staff.
• Identify opportunities to enhance college and career preparedness, including coordinating and executing the district college/career fair and College Kickoff Day.
• Create college and career partnerships with local universities and colleges.
• Team with other departments to address ways to improve student achievement and increase graduation rates.
• Participate in PBIS professional development and tiered systems of intervention supports in collaboration with PBIS support staff and school sites.
• Collaborate with school site counselors to identify solutions for at-risk students and issues surrounding student behavior.
• Promote emotional, social, and physical health of students by supporting social/emotional staff and student needs.
• Use available technology resources to enhance the school-counseling program, such as websites, interest surveys, career explorations, and links to community resources.
• Understand and adhere to laws, district policies, and procedures.
• Increase and improve outreach to students and families through targeted trainings and workshops, in areas such as the college application and admission process.
• Plan, organize and conduct ongoing staff development for counselors, teachers, support staff, and administrators in areas such as academic plan development/implementation, increasing A-G rates, college/career readiness, and crisis intervention.
• Assist counselors in building post-secondary academic plans with high school students.
• Participating in monitoring, analyzing, and disaggregating student data, such as Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application completion, AP/IB course enrollment, A-G completion rates, NCAA Clearinghouse, University of California at Riverside (UCR) AP Readiness Program, and post-secondary outcomes.
• Provide assistance to increase the amount of scholarships, grants, and other financial aid opportunities awarded to TVUSD students.
• Assist in maintaining the district course catalogue.
• Assist with the support and mentoring of new counselors.
• Collaborate with community colleges to build and maintain dual enrollment, concurrent, and articulation programs.
• Assist in analyzing CALPADS reports and provide monitoring supports.
• Participate in professional development activities and train the school counseling staff with updates.
• Participate on the district Riverside County Education Collaborative (RCEC) and California Colleges Guidance Initiative (CCGI) leadership teams.
• Assist in the implementation of the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test PSAT Ordering & Reports process.
• Assist with the planning, staffing, and support necessary to run High School Summer School.

 
QUALIFICATIONS and DESIRED CHARACTERISTICS

• Possession of a valid California Pupil Personnel Services credential authorizing service as a counselor; possession of a valid California teaching credential desired.

• Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and skill is qualifying.   A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and skill would be:

Experience:  Three years prior public school counseling experience in a secondary setting

Education:  Equivalent to the completion of an earned Master of Arts or higher degree in psychology, counseling and guidance, or a closely related field.

WORK YEAR:         194 Days

SALARY:                  Counselor/Librarian/Behavior Health Support Specialist Salary Schedule

Board Approval:       May 15, 2018