Head Counselor (0796) - Counseling & Post-Secondary, College & Career Readiness - SY 25-26

Job Class: 0796, Head Counselor

Department: Central Office- Counseling & Post-Secondary, College & Career Readiness

Salary Range: $90,540.00-$123,662.00/annually

Appointment Type: School Term

Length of Appointment: Temporary Contract SY 25-26’

Calendar: Full Time

Who We Are

The San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) is the seventh largest school district in California, serving more than 50,000 students who speak more than 44 documented languages across 121 schools in the city of San Francisco every year. We aim for every student who attends SFUSD schools to discover his or her spark, along with a strong sense of self and purpose, and that all students graduate from high school ready for college and career, and equipped with the skills, capacities and dispositions outlined in SFUSD’s Graduate Profile. Every day in our quest to achieve this mission we provide each and every student the quality instruction and equitable support required to thrive in the 21st century.

What It Means to Work Here

The SFUSD community is unified by our Core Values:

• Student-centered: We put students’ needs first
• Fearless: We persist through challenges
• United: We celebrate and build on each other’s strengths
• Social Justice: We stand with those most vulnerable in our community
• Diversity-driven: We respect and seek to understand each person

We are also inspired by Vision, Values and Guardrails which captures our aspirations and vision for the future of public education in San Francisco. Alongside the District’s strategic plan. SFUSD is reimagining how public education will change over the next decade to meet the dynamic future of San Francisco. As a CORE district, SFUSD is also a leader in critical systems change for more comprehensive school accountability and innovations that help strengthen the instructional core, which is the foundation of our strategic plan and Vision 2025.

Who We Want

We want talented people from diverse backgrounds and experiences, who are inspired by our mission, steeped in equity, and who are motivated to unleash our children’s potential. We want people who are strong collaborators, skilled communicators, and problem solvers who are comfortable in a community of continuous learning.

The Lead Counselor in SFUSD plays a crucial and multifaceted role, focused on leadership, collaboration, and equity. Lead Counselors provide direct and indirect services to students, educators, and families, all while fostering a culture of belonging, readiness for both college and career, and emotional well-being. The services provided are done so with an astute awareness of various focal groups and the barriers to access they may face. With their involvement in professional development, coordination of district-wide programs, and data-driven practices, Lead Counselors are instrumental in ensuring that the school environment is inclusive and supportive. This aligns with the ASCA National Model and Multi-Tiered Multi-Domain System of Supports (MTMDSS), which focus on providing comprehensive services across different tiers of need for students. Lead Counselors understand the importance of personal and professional growth, and they are dedicated to cultivating change, leading transformative work, and upholding policies and practices that are in the best interest of our students.

Essential Duties

The duties specified below are representative of the range of duties assigned to the job code/class and are not intended to be an inclusive or exhaustive list.

As the Lead Counselor (Central Office), you will:

Program Leadership

• Lead the design, implementation, and evaluation of a data-informed program that meets the academic, career, and social/emotional needs of all students.
• Collaborate with a team to develop and implement curriculum
• Ensure that program goals align with MTMDSS and district priorities, focusing on preventative, developmental, and intervention strategies.
• Manage program systems including calendaring, communication, use of technology and district platforms, and development of public facing materials.

Student Advocacy and Support

• Engage with and are knowledgeable about Board Policies, Administrative Regulations, and Education Code for purposes of accountability in program design, services and decision making.
• Advocate for equitable access to resources, enrichment opportunities, advanced coursework, and interventions for historically underserved student populations.
• Collaborate with school site counseling teams, site administrators and teachers to maximize college access and postsecondary opportunities.
• Direct student support to access programs and services if applicable to scope of work.

Staff Collaboration and Development

• Facilitate site based meetings with Student Support Teams and/or Teachers to coordinate services, use data informed practices and accountability of deliverables.
• Serve as a resource to promote student engagement, access to services and culturally responsive practices by providing consultation and coaching to counselors, other support staff, and/or teachers for program development, curriculum implementation, case management, implementation of interventions, and technical support.
• Provide/facilitate training and professional development for counselors, other support staff, and/or teachers to develop strategies and strengthen practice.
• Partner with administrators to develop and implement school wide initiatives that promote college access and student well-being.
• Provide training and consultation to site Coordinated Care Teams.

Community Engagement

• Serve as a liaison between district departments to coordinate programs and services to students and families.
• Serve as a liaison and collaborative partner with schools and community partners to:
• Cultivate partnerships with families, community organizations, and external agencies to ensure comprehensive student support and strengthen school-community ties.
• Coordinate outreach efforts to engage parents and caregivers as partners in their child’s education and development.

Cultural Competence and Inclusivity

• Provide professional development, partner with site and district leadership, and consultation with staff and facility to:
• Promote cultural understanding and inclusion through district and schoolwide programs that celebrate diversity and foster a sense of belonging.
• Lead initiatives to reduce barriers to success for marginalized groups, ensuring all students have the opportunity to thrive.
• Ensure programs, goals and services are driven by and measured with an equity focused lens.

Data and Program Evaluation

• Use data to assess student needs, measure program effectiveness, and drive continuous improvement in alignment with the ASCA National Model.
• Collaborate with district departments, counselors and administrators to annually review and refine programs based on identified trends and outcomes.

Professional Growth

• Attend district in-service training and other professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices in school counseling and MTSS implementation.
• Actively engage in ongoing professional learning to enhance leadership and counseling skills.
• Engage in professional development to facilitate adult learning spaces.
• Collaborate with the supervisor to engage in leadership and decision making spaces.

Additional Responsibilities

• Contribute to districtwide leadership and planning efforts.
• Perform other related duties as assigned*, with a focus on promoting student achievement and wellness and/or program development.
• Collaboration or coordination of districtwide events or activities related to scope of work.

Duties Unique to SFUSD Department- Counseling & Post-Secondary, College & Career Readiness:

• Deliver and co-deliver professional development to our middle and high school counselors at least three times per year
• Plan and facilitate professional learning communities for specialized roles or topics quarterly
• Provide technical assistance and workshop trainings for CCGI implementation
• Provide consultation to sites via email, phone or in person meetings on counseling related topics, and a-g/graduation requirements in consultation with supervisor as needed
• Provide school sites direct support with post secondary workshops and planning as needed
• Cross departmental collaboration including but not limited to Student and Family Services Division, Multilingual Pathways, and Special Education
• Link Line support/consultant for counseling and post secondary related tickets as needed
• Manage and distribute counselor newsletter, biweekly
• Collaborate with supervisor to maintain CPSS website
• Maintain SFUSD School Counselor Toolkit and Counseling Manual Google Drive
• Maintain School Counselor PD Google Classroom
• Update annual calendars and maintain throughout the year
• Provide Student Course History and Synergy Counselor Support and training
• NPS transcript reviews

• 
  Guidelines for Other Duties as Assigned:

• Supervision in accordance with fair share responsibilities (limited time per week, ONLY if needed, does not conflict with primary duties or matters of safety or specialization)
• Emergency Coverage should be limited to extenuating circumstances, temporary and within certificated credential.

The strongest candidates will have:

• Knowledge of San Francisco’s public schools/urban public schools and a passionate belief in SFUSD’s commitment to instructional leadership as a lever toward delivering on the SFUSD Graduate Profile
• Strong analytics and systems thinking necessary to interpret data to inform goals and strategy, as well as build infrastructure where none exists
• Ability to work effectively across multiple functions and roles within a complex organization
• A proven record of effectively planning, organizing and using resources to take action and achieve goals
• The ability to learn quickly and adapt as needed in a fast-paced environment
• Outstanding organizational skills and exceptional attention to detail
• A flexible, “can do” work ethic with a focus on identifying challenges and proactively working to find solutions while maintaining a bigger picture lens and focus on what can be delivered instead of what cannot be done
• Excellent data analysis skills and experience synthesizing data to drive action steps
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build effective working relationships with senior level district staff and colleagues
• Effective written and verbal communication and the ability to clearly communicate complex, bureaucratic processes to a variety of audiences
• Ability to define and implement effective HR business practices
• Ability to work effectively in difficult situations that involve confidential and sensitive matters
• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and GSuite (Google Docs, Slides, Sheets, Forms)

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Valid California Pupil Services Credential in School Counseling, as mandated by the California Education Code, Section 44860.
• Master’s Degree in School Counseling or a related field and relevant training

Additional Qualifications

• Minimum of three years of site based school counseling experience
• Experience with curriculum development and leadership roles strongly desired

What We Offer

SFUSD offers a competitive salary of $90,540.00-$123,662.00/annually commensurate with experience in a similar position. We offer a comprehensive benefits plan including dental and vision plans, a defined benefit pension plan, disability, life insurance, flexible spending account options and vacation time. We also offer an inclusive and equity-centered environment where we encourage staff to bring their whole selves to work.

How to Apply

• Visit https://jobs.redroverk12.com/org/sfusd and create a new account to begin your application.
• Visit careers.sf.gov and begin the application process.
• You will be prompted to electronically attach a letter of interest, resume, list of professional references and any applicable credentials or licenses
• Our Human Resources team will then review your entire application to determine your eligibility statusand contact you directly should you move forward in the process

Verification

Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. If education verification is required, information on how to verify education requirements, including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found at http://sfdhr.org/how-verify-education-requirements.

Note: Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification from this and future job opportunities with the San Francisco Unified School District.

Non-Discrimination Policy

San Francisco Unified School District programs, activities, and practices shall be free from unlawful discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying based on actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, national origin, ethnic group identification, age, religion, marital or parental status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or gender expression; or on the basis of a person’s association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. This policy extends to San Francisco County Office of Education, including community school programs and activities.

For more information about the District's non-discrimination policy, please review Board Policy 4030.