GATEWAY COLLEGE AND CAREER ACADEMY

SCOPE OF WORK – COUNSELOR

GCCA MISSION STATEMENT:  To provide all learners with personal and academic success through equitable practices and individualized plans leading to a high school diploma and access to college and career pathways.

REQUIREMENTS/QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

a)         Master’s degree in Counseling or

b)         Valid California Pupil Personnel Services credential or ability to obtain proper credential

Experience:

Demonstrated experience working in an educational or social service environment; working with at-risk and culturally diverse populations; working with students or clients in advising and developing goals; assessing student needs and coordinating educational and community-based services; managing caseload and case files is desirable.  Fluency in a second language is desirable. 

 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Considerable knowledge of local high school completion requirements, and state and local college eligibility requirements; available college and community resources and/or programs; subject area and faculty issues; ethnic and cultural issues; and assessment, testing, and the interpretation and application of test results.

Skill in effective advising and counseling techniques; ability to work with at-risk and culturally diverse populations; delivering public presentations; ability to prioritize multiple projects and work in an environment with regular interruptions; and operating a computer and various supporting software packages, including web-based programs for monitoring grades, attendance and student outcomes.

Ability to maintain a professional demeanor during emotionally charged situations; explain policies and procedures, rules, and regulations in a non-threatening manner; effectively communicate orally and in written form; meet required timelines; manage and organize detailed information about the program and student progress; work with students in advising and developing goals; assess student needs and coordinate educational and community-based services; manage caseload and case files; maintain confidentiality in all matters as appropriate; plan, organize and prioritize daily assignments and work activities; communicate effectively in written and oral form; deal tactfully and effectively with students, parents, co-workers, and the general public; maintain accurate and well-organized records; and use computers for data and word processing.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

1. Advises students on program requirements.
2. Develops student’s academic goals.
3. Evaluates student’s academic history and education, including transcript evaluation.
4. Introduces students to resources available throughout the college.
5. Develops, facilitates, and delivers classroom instruction on various topics such as time management, study strategies, goal setting, learning styles, career planning, communication skills, managing test anxiety, and building confidence.
6. Meets with students and parents to ensure student success or to recommend alternate educational placement.
7. Assists students in career exploration.
8. Works collaboratively with school faculty and administration to develop strategies for keeping at-risk students in class.
9. Works collaboratively with other departments to facilitate and address student and program needs.
10. Provides support for students experiencing family, personal, or economic crises, which may impact school performance.
11. Helps students access needed counseling services, support networks, community health, or housing services.
12. Consults with a variety of social service agencies in the community to explain program requirements or address individual student progress or needs.
13. Develops and implements marketing, recruitment and retention strategies for assigned program.
14. Coordinates activities to introduce student to available community services and campus resources.
15. Facilitates orientation meetings and evaluation sessions.
16. Makes presentations to schools, community organizations, and other groups to explain the program.
17. Maintains an active case file on each enrolled student with accurate case notes and documentation. Ensures confidentiality is maintained.
18. Maintains statistical information and summary information in reports as needed.
19. Submits required paper work according to specified timelines.
20. Participates in staff-development workshops and activities.
21. Performs other related responsibilities as may be assigned.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Sitting (70% up to continuously)

1. Stand (up to 10%), walk (up to 20%), bend, stoop, look up/down on occasion

1. Push, pull, twist, squat, stoop

1. Repetitive hand motions with close reach in such examples of: keyboard, mouse, files, phones and handwriting

1. Lift/carry office supplies up to 30 pounds

1. Use seeing, hearing and speaking

Work Environment: 
Employees in this position will be required to work indoors and/or outdoors in an educational and standard office environment. Employees may come in direct contact with students, parents, school staff, outside agency staff, and the public.