High School Transition & Counseling Manager

Hired by the Principal and reports to Director of Social Services of Middle School

The role of the High School Transition and Counseling Manager is critical to supporting the High School Placement process for 8th graders. This includes reviewing scholar academic transcripts, developing relationships with Academic Enrichment Programs and High Schools in the Community, engaging and supporting families through the application process and the transition to high school. This individual will also provide mandated and at risk counseling to scholars of the 6th to 8th grade community and support the overall social emotional and academic growth of all scholars.

This Individual Should

• Have a Masters in Social Worker or Guidance Counseling.
• Bilingual Spanish/English required
• Have a strong desire to work within an innovative, urban educational program
• Have a knowledge of High School Application System and New York City Schools
• Have a knowledge of the developmental milestones of 11-13 year olds
• Have knowledge of the counseling needs of that same population and intervention modalities
  
  

Responsibilities

Direct Services (60%)

• Uses the majority of the time to provide direct services to students and families through preventive and responsive services, including individual student planning for high school placement.
• Consults with families and staff to appraise student needs and interests and to discuss appropriate recommendations for educational options.
• Prepare identified for Specialized High School and Gifted and Talented Programs.
• Prepare students for the High School Interview Process and teach students how to request and collect letters of recommendations.
• Assesses student needs and makes referrals to appropriate school personnel, social agencies, community agencies and alternative programs.
• Intervenes during crisis situations by following self harm protocol and trauma protocol.
• Prepares students for the transition to the next level by using group work and individual work.
• Provide individual counseling to mandated and at risk students in 8th grade. Responsible for planning sessions.
• Attends programs such as high school fairs for selected students.
• Advertise and encourage attendance at high school fairs and open houses.
• Assist students in navigating their academic, and community experiences, through the use of individual student planning which includes individual graduation portfolios (IGP), student interviews and other planning tools.
  
  

Systems, Support and Accountability (40%)

• Uses the remaining time in development of high school partnerships, system support and accountability.
• Track all applications through online system to ensure timely completion.
• Collect and write letters of recommendations for students.
• Develop relationships with stakeholders in High Schools around New York City by setting up visits, attending fairs and presenting on Haven Middle.
  
  

School Support Services and Data Collections (on-going)

• Maintain clinical paperwork in timely fashion: MySchool records, clinical notes, collateral information, student folders, SIT forms, group notes.
• Support teachers and staff in completing and understanding DESSA data.
• Participate in meetings that promote overall mission (eg. Social Emotional, SUM, Attendance, Committee).
• Facilitate professional development curriculum for peers and provide support and consultation on social emotional related issues to staff.
• Attend Professional Development opportunities as determined by interest and need.
  
  

Qualifications

• Excellent oral and written communication/interpersonal skills as well as a desire to collaborate with various stakeholders to help develop a whole-school community
• Experience managing and developing family leadership
• Demonstrated ability to create and maintain a warm and orderly environment
• A strong sense of personal accountability for student achievement
• Unwavering conviction that all students can learn at a high level