Aspire Public Schools is a nonprofit organization that currently operates 34 high-performing, open-enrollment public charter schools serving 12,000 students in underserved communities across California and will open schools in Memphis, TN in fall, 2013. Aspire is one of the highest-performing public school systems in California, delivering a rigorous ‘College for Certain’ education to students in grades K-12. An unrelenting focus on college preparedness led to 100 percent of graduating Aspire seniors being accepted to four year colleges or universities in 2010, 2011 and 2012. Aspire offers a high-quality education in six cities throughout California: Los Angeles, Oakland, Stockton, Sacramento, Modesto and East Palo Alto.  Visit Aspire Public Schools at www.aspirepublicschools.org.   

General Summary:

The Counselor provides a full range of school counseling services to children grades K-12, including screening and assessment, individual and group counseling, and work with/referral to outside agencies as appropriate. The School Social Worker/Counselor will also be an integral member of the Student Support Team, helping to plan, implement, and monitor programs at the school sites.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

- Possess an extensive knowledge of a variety of forms of intervention and prevention models for both individuals and group therapeutic settings (ex: CBT, Play therapy)
- Create and implement therapeutic interventions for the purposes of fostering better mental health and positive learning environments for all students at Aspire
- Collaborate with school on universal interventions for students such as peer mediation, conflict mediation, etc.
- Foster healthy families through community and school programming, including, but not limited to: parent education and community service
- Create and maintain relationships with outside agencies to help foster better learning and support for the students of Aspire and their families
- Provide crisis counseling and referrals for students as needed
- Consistently and routinely update case files for students under their care
- Continually improve social work skills by seeking our constructive feedback and professional development opportunities
- Exhibit positive rapport with students
- Possess a thorough understanding of and abide by the NASW Code of Ethics
- Create positive and consistent communication with Aspire staff and administration about social work goals and processes
- Attend all staff meetings
- Attend IEP and inter-departmental meetings for students receiving counseling services
- Supervise counseling trainees/interns as necessary

1) Required knowledge, skills & abilities:
- Demonstrated commitment to students and learning
- Experience with students grades K-12
- Excellent communication, presentation and interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to write clearly and persuasively and interact effectively with different audiences
- Excellent organization, time management and follow-up skills; high sense of urgency; demonstrated ability to successfully handle multiple cases concurrently
- Ability to work as a part of a team
- Demonstrates ability to adjust to and use new approaches in the performance of his/her duties
- Deals with obstacles and constraints positively
- Spanish Bilingual
- The ability to perform the following duties is highly desirable:
- Supervise MSW level interns/PPS Interns
- Supervise additional MSW level employees pursuing their clinical licensure in CA

2) Minimum educational level:
- Masters in counseling/social work or related discipline

3) Experience required:
- PPS Credential or Eligibility for PPS Credential
    

To learn more about our schools and this specific opening, please go to http://careers.aspirepublicschools.org Aspire Public Schools, where you can submit an online application.