Job posted: 12-1-23

Calvary Christian School (CCS) seeks a dynamic and forward-thinking individual to help launch and grow our high school course selections to prepare our students for success in their career paths. The High School Guidance Counselor maintains a positive, safe, and orderly campus for all 9th - 12th-grade students, staff, families, and visitors.

The HighSchool Guidance Counselor is committed to fulfilling our mission within our community of students and families by overseeing CCS's college counseling, academic advising, and standardized testing programs. In addition to embracing the school's mission and values, he or she develops strong relationships with students and faculty to effectively guide and support them through the college selection and application process and academic advising.

The following list of duties reflects the primary responsibilities of the Guidance Director/School Counselor. Other secondary duties may be assigned as needed.

Main Job Tasks and Responsibilities of Secondary School Guidance Counselor

• Creates an environment where adolescents from diverse backgrounds are comfortable and experience success
• Responsible for creating, communicating, and enforcing school policies and procedures, which foster a culture of honor
• Plans, designs, and implements college counseling programs and events for students and families to assist them in proper planning for college
• Develops and implements successful new college counseling strategies and programs and assists the 11th and 12th grade students with college search and application process
• Communicate regularly and frequently with students and parents regarding the college admission process.
• Identifies and establishes contact with schools that may be good matches for students through visits with college reps and campus visits
• Coordinates visits to colleges and college fairs for students
• Oversees visits from college representatives to Calvary Christian School
• Manages all college counseling office data, systems, and records, while ensuring the confidentiality of all information
• Stays current with trends in college admission, higher education, and national testing
• Oversees and guides the faculty in writing requested recommendations for students applying to college
• Manage all aspects of the Guidance Department with integrity, professionalism, and an intentional mission focus.
• Proactively communicate and respond on behalf of the school utilizing objective, professional, and mission-supported interpersonal skills.
• Ensure compliance with Illinois State Recognition, ACTS accreditation, and government regulations for high-school standards.
• Creates and updates high school handbook(s), procedure manuals, and course descriptions and communications.

Academic Advising

• Advises high school students on academic and extra-curricular choices
• Educates students and families about the high school courses; manages student schedules through the year, balancing their course load between AP and college track classes
• Creates and delivers multiple workshops throughout the school year, such as parent nights, understanding the PSAT/ACT, financial aid presentations, and speaker series
• Assists in administering on-campus standardized testing, such as the PSAT, ACT, and AP exams
• Serves as the testing coordinator for ACT, PSAT, and AP exams. Oversees the scheduling and coordination of all standardized test pre-administration preparations, training of proctors, and post-testing needs as outlined by the College Board.
• Serves as coordinator for dual credit and AP courses
• Creates and balances the High School student schedules for grades 9-12
• Maintains up-to-date records and transcripts through FACTS SIS.
• Prepares and delivers high-quality and compelling communication through various modalities, including public speaking, Freshman Seminar classes, written communication, and presentations.
• Attends meetings with parents, students, and faculty as needed.
• Assists registrar with course registration, scheduling, course conflict resolution, etc.
• Serves as a supportive resource for teachers in their work with students.
• Effectively uses time to meet with students individually and with families building a relationship of trust.
• Respects students’ rights to privacy, confidentiality, self-determination, and autonomy
• Collaborate to ensure entry, academic, and exit programs best support students and families. This includes but is not limited to working with Enrollment Management; ensuring the smooth transition of students from middle to high school and high school to college; collaborating to ensure students are academically informed and appropriately placed; and completing administrative recommendations for high school applications.
• Attend and lead relevant parent and family events such as Coffee Hours, Connect & Talks, grade-level, and division-wide student-centered sessions.
• Work closely with the counselors, nurses, Academic Services, and Grade Level Team Leaders to provide programming and restorative practices to uphold the mission and values.
• Serve on the Admissions Committee and assist with Open House Events.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Principal.

Key Competencies

• Be in whole-hearted agreement with the school’s Statement of Faith
• Be a "born-again" Christian who knows the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior (John 3:3, 1 Peter 1:23)
• Be a Christian role model in attitude, speech, and action toward others. This includes being committed to God’s Biblical standards for sexual conduct.
• Have the spiritual maturity, academic ability, and personal leadership qualities to “train up a child in the way he should go.”
• An active Christian testimony and church involvement
• A desire to join a Christ-centered education community in ministry as a transformational leader
• Excellent management skills
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
• Excellent organizational skills
• Ability to execute long-range plans and manage the details of implementation

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or above in education or a related field
• 2+ years working in education as an educator or 4+ years working in a field related to the position’s job responsibilities
• Computer proficiency: Google Suite, Microsoft

Relationships
People supervised: Students

Physical Demands
An employee must meet the physical demands described here to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; and stand; The employee is occasionally required to walk and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.