Disclaimer: This position is a 3 year maximum grant funded position and will end on or before June 30, 2024

　　Job Summary:

　　School counselors are uniquely qualified to address the academic, personal/social, and career development needs of all students by designing, implementing, and evaluating a comprehensive school counseling program that promotes and enhances student success.

　　Propel schools operate with an extended school year to increase learning time and opportunities for our scholars. We have 190 instructional days (10 more than traditional school districts) and 30 professional development days to better support our teachers and staff for a total of 220 work days annually.

　　Compensation: Propel provides a competitive salary for teachers. Based on relevant prior work experience, our salary range for this role is $49,000 - $98,500. Relocation Allowance: A relocation allowance for new hires moving to the area from 60 miles away or further. Health Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision plan options at a low cost for individual employees and families. Retirement: New hires participate in a 403(b); Propel contributes 5% automatically and matches up to 4%. This increases after 5 years. Paid Leave: In addition to 2 paid Wellness Days annually, all teachers receive 5 sick days and 10 Personal DaysTuition Assistance: Reimbursement of up to $3,000 annually upon completion of course and receipt of grades for coursework that meets our eligibility requirements. Wellness Benefit: Reimbursement of $20 per month for wellness activities including Gym Memberships, health programs, etc. Additionally, staff have the ability to earn up to $300 for participation in a Wellness Program each year.Professional Development: At Propel, we believe in supporting teacher growth and provide substantial school-based and network-wide professional development support for teachers, including an extensive onboarding process called Induction for new teachers with on-going annual support during the school year called Immersion. All teachers receive 11.5 network-wide Professional Development days annually in addition to school-specific Professional Development.Leadership & Career Development: Leadership opportunities are extensive at Propel, both in and outside of the classroom. Staff have the opportunity to apply for Leadership Pathways as content, grade level or other school-based support roles which allow for experience in many different areas including Content, Wellness, Technology and more.

　　Roles and Responsibilities:

　　School Leadership

　　Support the school's character development program and ensure it builds and reinforces positive self-identity and necessary character strengthsSupport school culture initiativesProvide leadership to all staff and students in supporting a positive, structured, and achievement- oriented classroom cultureModel the school's core values in daily interactions with staff, students, and familiesCollaborate with fellow members of the school leadership team to implement and sustain programs for students and families that recognize and celebrate achievement and continuous growthParticipate in and deliver professional development and training on issues related to school counselingCollaborate with fellow school counselor or culture coach to enforce a system to accurately monitor student attendance; create Scholar Attendance Improvement Plans (SAIPs) for students with difficulty attending school; collaborate with school principals regarding attendance information in preparation of enforcement of truancy chargesMaintain compliance with the Pennsylvania Department of Education's mandate of the Career Education and Work Standards, including documenting and reporting all CEW evidence and ensuring each scholar has 100% completion of the required number of artifacts/evidence.

　　Academic Skill Building and Collaboration

　　Develop and lead class guidance lessons, small groups, and individual counseling sessions related to academic skill building (including, but not limited to: emotional regulation, organization, study skills, etc.)Participate as a member of intervention teams, such as SAP and MTSS to support student successCollaborate with staff and parents to help students overcome academic barriersSupport teachers, administrators and other school personnel, as needed, to develop, implement and monitor progress of behavior interventions for students and groups of studentsFacilitate the creation of student's 504 Service Agreements

　　Career Awareness/Preparedness

　　Prepare and teach classroom lessons related to career awarenessCollaborate across the counseling department to improve school-wide career awareness initiativesFacilitate career awareness activities, including, but not limited to, coordination of student visits to colleges/universities/technical schools, arrangement of college/career awareness activities for students and families, and arrangement financial aid information sharing activities for students and families

　　Student Support

　　Develop and lead class guidance lessons, small groups, and individual counseling sessions related to social/emotional needs (including, but not limited to: social skills, coping, friendships, conflict resolution, changing families, self-awareness, self-esteem, etc.)Conduct risk assessments, monitor student safety, and coordinate additional support services for students/families as neededEnforce the school's bully prevention program by supporting classroom lessons and individual student needs as neededObserve student behaviors and assist in the development of positive behavior support plans and behavioral intervention strategies in the classroom and school environmentServe as the building 504 Service Agreement Coordinator; facilitate 504 Service Agreement meetings and coordinate the development of a plans to determine aids, services, and accommodations required by studentsAct as building Homeless Liaison: monitor and support students who are in transition or displaced, report required data to Propel's Homeless Liaison Participate in team and parent meetings to discuss social/emotional/behavioral barriers to student success and develop intervention strategies to support achievementSupport the transition of students (e.g.: entering kindergarten, new students, transitioning from elementary to middle school to high school to post-high school)Coordinate service learning and work-study opportunities Facilitate post-secondary planning with students to include administration of career interest surveys, review of student transcripts, development of career/vocational plans, and assistance to students in the completion of college entrance, financial aid and scholarship applications

　　Systems Support

　　Lead behavior MTSS grade level meetings in collaboration with instructional leadership and support the implementation of research-based behavioral responsesWork in collaboration with support staff and leadership team to support a positive school culture and develop and maintain a system for collecting and tracking behavior MTSS data Prepare and present formal reports to support PBIS and school culture efforts; submit formal reports as required for continued participation in the Pennsylvania Positive Behavior Support NetworkAccurately monitor and analyze daily discipline records to proactively address school's needs and to evaluate the effectiveness of behavior management strategiesSupport teachers in establishing effective classroom management systems and developing students' positive social behaviorsAssist teachers in establishing effective classroom management systems and developing students' positive social behaviorsAttend and participate in staff and other school activities and meetings as appropriateLiaise with the leadership team in carrying out organizational goals as necessaryMaintain records and deadlines in a timely fashionBe highly present and visible during school hours relentlessly ensuring a positive school environmentCoordinate Mentoring Program: enroll students, assign mentors, supervise mentoring, plan and supervise large group events throughout the year, etc.Participate with leadership team and building staff to plan, problem solve, and support one another on an ongoing basisParticipate in building activities to support School-Based Mental Health Partnership and serve on the Student Assistance Team, participate in monthly meetings, and bridge communication and supports to school staffCollaborate with specialists on school-wide initiatives such as internet safety, drug and alcohol prevention curriculums, bully prevention initiatives, etc.

　　Family and Community Engagement

　　Communicate regularly with families to develop a supportive home-school relationshipCoordinate and participate in parent meetings to support student behavior and achievementProvide referrals to community support agencies as neededDevelop and coordinate collaborative partnerships with outside organizations that support student needsInform parents of counseling updates and initiatives through newsletters, website, email, etc.Actively engage with the school community by attending annual events Articulate Propel's Promising Principles to the greater community

　　Qualifications & Skills:

　　Required:

　　A valid Educational Specialist I Elementary School Counselor K-6 (1836) or Educational Specialist I Elementary & Secondary School Counselor PK-12 (1839)*High level of personal organization and planningAbility to develop rigorous lesson plans and assessmentsStrong communication and relationship building skillsWillingness to participate in on-going Professional DevelopmentA commitment to the Promising Principles of Propel. Strong interpersonal skills, cultural competency, high degree of emotional intelligence and self-awareness with the ability to reflect and adapt to diverse environments.Skilled in the use of Google Suite and willingness to experiment and work with new technologies.

　　Essential Mindsets

　　Own It. Our teachers are instructional experts who hold high expectations for themselves and their scholars. We work hard, set goals, and take responsibility for our scholars learning. Walk Through the Door. Our teachers are professional with their scholars, families, and colleagues. We show up on time with a positive mindset and never give up on what's possible for our scholars. Look in the Mirror. Our teachers value feedback and work to continuously improve for our scholars. Our staff is accountable, dedicated and honest. Treat Others the Way You Want to be Treated. Our teachers are culturally competent. In all interactions they are courteous, engaged and empathetic. Do Your Part. Our teachers are relationship builders. We make connections with our scholars, our families, our colleagues and our community and realize that education is a team effort.

　　Physical Demands:

　　Must be able to walk around the classroom at least 75% of the time while engaging with scholars.The person in this position constantly operates a computer and other technology in the classroom to support instruction.The person in this position frequently communicates with various internal and external stakeholders regarding curriculum, instruction and assessment. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situationsWhen deemed age and/or developmentally appropriate, assist students in daily personal tasks (i.e.-tying shoes, assisting with coats, escorting to busses, and etc.)

　　Disclaimer:

　　This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

　　Organizational Overview

　　Propel Schools is the largest network of public charter schools in Allegheny County consisting of 13 schools and approximately 4,000 scholars. Our mission is to provide high-quality schools to underserved communities. Each of our schools provide a rigorous academic environment and small class sizes where educators focus on providing each scholar with support and individualized attention. With one of the top starting teacher salaries in Allegheny County, a customizable benefits package and extraordinary career and professional development opportunities, Propel Schools is one of the area's premier education organizations.