College and Career Counselor **Anticipated SY 2025-2026**

POSITION TITLE:  Guidance Counselor-College & Career Counselor
REPORTS TO:       Principal, Assistant Principal/GLP, or designee
QUALIFICATIONS:
Required Experience or Training
Valid Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL)
w/ endorsement in School Counseling (formerly 73 School Service Personnel Certification)
Previous High School Counseling/College & Career Experience
Data Background

Desired Experience or Training
Master’s Degree; Previous high school teaching experience
Social Worker Background
College & Career Background
LCPC Certified

LENGTH OF CONTRACT: 10-month 
SALARY GRADE: PTU Salary Schedule

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES: The College Counselor develops and implements procedures for the administration of the five-year (incoming eighth graders) comprehensive college counseling program. The college counselor works with families in an attempt to match each student's academic, personal, and career aspirations with his/her parent's financial status and college choice.  Understands best practice and embraces ASCA/RAMP befliefs/model/principles.

SPECIFIC DUTIES (related to College & Career):
1. Remain current regarding college admissions and financial aid information and procedures.
2. Schedules fact-finding visits to appropriate colleges and universities and establishes useful contacts with admission personnel.
3. Coordinates college application and recommendation process within the high school.
4. Meets with students and parents to develop appropriate long-range goals and formulate college plans.
5. Maintains current information files on a wide variety of colleges, universities, financial aids, and scholarships; along with post-high school career/military/trade school opportunities/options.
6. Schedules and coordinates student meeting and interview with college and university representatives.
7. Disseminates college admission information to students, parents, and staff.
8. Informs the community about college planning by outlining the decision making process, publicizing the college and scholarship achievements of our students, scheduling college information seminars, and organizing a District College Night.
9. Consults with District administrators and faculty to maintain curricular and co-curricular programs which are conducive to successful college admissions.
10. Coordinates an on-going faculty staff development program on college admissions and articulates with counselors regarding ever-changing college admission needs to students.
11. Assists with the development and coordination of a training program to prepare personnel for college admissions work.
12. Prepares and recommends an annual budget for operating the college counseling program on District and building levels.
13. Other duties related to college selection process as determined by the supervisor (Principal, AP/GLP or designee)

INSTRUCTIONAL METHOD

1. Teach to prescribed outcomes and goals
2. Use instructional methods that improve student achievement
3. Assign and evaluate appropriate student work
4. Involve students in learning
5. Make effective use of entire class period
6. Use appropriate school support and resource materials
7. Convey to students learning goals and the importance of material learned
8. Be clear in explanations and directions
9. Provide continuity in learning activities
10. Challenge students by using appropriate questioning strategies
11. Speak clearly, audibly, and fluently
12. Adjust the teaching pace to assure maximum student understanding
13. Provide appropriate remedial and/or enrichment material whenever necessary
14. Communicate high expectations for student performance

INSTRUCTIONAL PLANNING

15. Establish a positive and safe learning environment
16. Revise lesson plans as needed
17. Plan instructional examples, illustrations, and time for questions into lessons
18. Address different styles of learning by employing a variety of instructional techniques and materials
19. Be creative and innovative in the use of curricular and instructional materials

SUBJECT MATTER

20. Demonstrate command of subject areas crucial to instructional effectiveness
21. Demonstrate knowledge of contemporary instructional research related to the subject area and to the teaching of diverse students
22. Remain current in the assigned content area and in the profession
23. Demonstrate enthusiasm about subject matter

CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT COMPETENCIES

24. Develop, communicate, and enforce a set of classroom rules, policies, procedures, and expectations which are consistent with school and department policies and with learning outcomes
25. Monitor student behavior for compliance with classroom rules
26. Reinforce/reward appropriate social and academic behavior
27. Respond to behavior problems quickly and appropriately
28. Have necessary material and equipment available and ensure their appropriate use and care
29. Provide and distribute necessary classroom materials in an orderly and efficient manner
30. Interact with students in ways which are respectful and friendly, and which reflect an understanding of cultural differences
31. Provide students feedback on their knowledge and skill
32. Use effective methods to manage student behavior

PROFESSIONALLY RELATED COMPETENCIES

33. Participate in review and updating of curricular programs
34. Perform promptly the responsibilities stipulated in Board of Education policies and administrative procedures
35. Adhere to all personal absences procedures and provides appropriate plans and materials for use by the substitute
36. Model and enforce classroom and school rules, policies, and procedures; exemplify the district’s mission and beliefs
37. Be punctual in arrival times to the building, to classes, and to meetings
38. Report promptly student behavior, attendance, and performance to family or guardians and when necessary, refer students to appropriate school personnel; stay in regular communications with parents.
39. Cooperate with other educational personnel
40. Implement recommendations made in the evaluation and supervisory process

Application Procedures:
Apply online at https://www.applitrack.com/pths209/onlineapp/default.aspx
 
Selection Process:
All applicants must complete a District application to be considered for employment.  Applications will be reviewed.  Interviews of selected qualified applicants will be conducted, and a qualified candidate will be recommended by the hiring supervisor to the Office of Human Resources. District 209 ensures equal employment opportunity, as outlined in Board Policy 5:10. The Superintendent is responsible for making final hiring recommendations to the Proviso Township High Schools Board of Education.  Employment is subject to the recommendation of the Superintendent, the approval of the Board of Education and the results of required processes outlined in Board Policy 5:30. No individual shall begin work until receiving written approval from the Office of Human Resources. It is the responsibility of the individual who has sought employment to ensure that official approval from the Office of Human Resources has been granted prior to beginning any type of employment.
 
* Disclaimer:
This job description describes duties and responsibilities which are representative of the nature and level of work assigned to the position. The identified duties and responsibilities and other information contained in this job description are intended only as examples of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification.  The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the school district and employee and is subject to change by the school district as the needs of the school district and requirements of the job change.  The information contained in this job description is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position.  Other duties may be required and assigned.  The site of employment is subject to change based on the needs of the school district.  As outlined in Board Policy 5:32 Nepotism, no person with an Interested Relationship with any member of the Board of Education, the Superintendent or a District-level administrator shall be eligible for employment in the District.
 
For Additional Information Contact:
Office of Human Resources
Proviso Township High Schools District 209
8601 W. Roosevelt Road
Forest Park, IL 60130
708-338-5900
 
Job Description Creation / Revision Date:  03.25.2024