Big Picture Philadelphia | El Centro de Estudiantes
Position: Resilience Specialist

Position Description

A Resilience Specialist at El Centro must have a strong sense of self. A Resilience Specialist must be able to work with high

school students with educational and emotional trauma. It is very important to have a creative approach to healing and

counseling when working with students who face daily challenges. A Resilience Specialist must guide students to

overcome issues in a caring, respectful and creative way as to ignite the fire in them in making educational, career, and

personal decisions that hold promise for their personal fulfillment as mature and responsible men and women.

Responsibilities

General

● Provide individual and group counselling to students.

● Develop intense high impact behavior intervention strategies for students with complex issues.

● Demonstrate the use of developmentally appropriate small group and individual techniques that are relevant to

students’ needs and concerns.

● Provide prevention and intervention services using Restorative Practices.

● Conduct counseling and guidance learning activities in the classroom.

● Provide counseling to families to assist students with school and social adjustment problems.

● Refer students to various programs: social services and governmental agencies, support groups and other

community resources as appropriate.

● Consult with law enforcement agencies regarding students as necessary.

● Conduct behaviour assessments for students with complex behavioural issues.

● Maintain appropriate student - counselor relationships.

● Demonstrate positive interpersonal relations with educational staff in guiding student success.

● Work cooperatively with the school administration to implement policies and regulations.

● Participate in weekly team meetings with the Director of Resilience and/or the Principal regarding student

progress and next steps.

Parent/Community Involvement

● Maintain productive working relations with community organizations and collaborate with outside agencies as

needed.

● Promote outside community involvement with the school

● Create opportunities for the restorative process among parents, students and the school in the best interest of

the student.

● Guide and foster a climate that promotes communication with parents.

● Handle all conflicts in a constructive manner

● Assist Advisors and the Post-secondary counselor in encouraging parents to participate in student education and

career planning.

Student Planning

● Work with Advisors to assist students in establishing goals, developing and using planning skills, and determining

their abilities, passions, achievement, interests, and goals.

● Assist Post-Secondary Counselor in developing post-secondary plans.

Confidentiality/ Reporting Policy

● Attend to the confidential and private nature of individual assessment data.

● Use discretion in handling and releasing confidential information.

● Adhere to laws of Mandating Reporting of suspected child abuse and neglect.

Qualifications

● Bachelor’s Degree required; Master’s Degree in School Counseling preferred

● 3-5 years of extensive experience working in an alternative high school with a diverse population, between the

ages of 15-20.

● Must have previous experience working with youth with a range of traumas within a school setting.

● Strong individual and group counseling background in areas of youth and family

● Some knowledge or background working with Restorative Practices

● Understanding of and enthusiasm for the Big Picture Philadelphia mission

● Commitment to practices that foster diversity, equity and inclusion

Skills and Abilities

● Enthusiasm for establishing and promoting effective working relationships with staff across all levels and

functions of the organization, as well as with outside consultants and vendors, and members of the larger Big

Picture Philadelphia community of partners and stakeholders

● Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in a diverse, complex, and fast paced work environment

● Understanding of federal, state, and local school law

● Knowledge of public education is highly desired

● Commitment to communicate proactively and regularly with supervisors and colleagues around progress,

obstacles, and needs

● Proficiency in common computer software applications and willingness to learn new applications and systems as

needed

● Strong analytical, oral, and written communication skills

● Excellent organizational skills, including time management, attention to details, and the ability to balance

competing priorities and meet deadlines

● Strong problem solving and strategic thinking skills

● Willingness and desire to participate in unexpected projects

● Ability to adapt to student issues daily with patience, compassion and respect

● Commitment to professional growth

Required Clearances

Successful applicants will be required to complete and submit the following as a condition of hire:

● PA State Police Background Check (EPATCH)

● Childline Clearance

● FBI Fingerprinting

● Act 71

● Act 126

● Act 168

Compensation

The Resilience Specialist is a full time employee eligible for a comprehensive benefits package that includes health,

vision, dental, optional long term disability insurance, and a 401k retirement plan with employer matching. Salary is

commensurate with experience. Big Picture Philadelphia provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all

employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender

identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $50,000.00 - $60,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off

Physical Setting:

• School

Ability to Commute:

• Philadelphia, PA 19134 (Required)

Work Location: In person