26-27 Inclusive Education Counselor - Stella High Charter Academy

Position Title: Inclusive Education Counselor

Location: Stella High Charter Academy

Reports to: School Principal

Status: Exempt, Full Time

Who We Are:

Bright Star Schools is a free, publicly funded and open enrollment non-profit organization with nine public charters in urban Los Angeles. Across all of our Bright Star sites, over 90% of our students are eligible for free and reduced lunch.

Our mission is to provide holistic, inclusive support for all students to achieve academic excellence and grow their unique talents so that they find joy in higher education, career, and life. Bright Star students will become leaders who act with integrity and champion equity to enrich our communities and the world. The framework to our success is our core operating principles, which are Integridad, Ubuntu, Kohyang (고향), and Growth.

Our educators join a family that is passionate and committed to developing all students to become well-rounded citizens. We offer small class sizes, comprehensive coordinator support, and numerous collaboration opportunities across the organization and within school sites. We strongly believe in listening to all stakeholders’ voices, and we work to increase teaching practice and effectiveness through our data-driven and feedback-derived professional development.

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Bright Star Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, pregnancy, or veteran status.

Role Summary: Under the supervision of school site administrators, the Inclusive Education (IE) Counselor provides counseling to students receiving counseling education services through their IEPs. The IE Counselor works with students who have Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) to support their social-emotional development, behavioral regulation, and access to learning through direct counseling services and collaboration with educators, parents, and multidisciplinary teams. Responsibilities include collaborating with school staff, preparing for and participating in IEP meetings, maintaining appropriate documentation and compliance, and implementing counseling services aligned with students’ IEP goals. The IE counselor ensures that students receive the support necessary to access their education in the least restrictive environment. The role requires knowledge of special education procedures and compliance requirements, strong collaboration and communication skills, and the ability to effectively support students with a range of learning, behavioral, and social-emotional needs.

What You’ll Do:

(include the following, as well as, other duties and responsibilities that may be assigned)

Student Support & Counseling Services

Provide high-quality, individualized counseling services that support students with disabilities in accessing their education and developing social-emotional skills.

• Deliver individual and group counseling services aligned to students’ IEP goals, focusing on emotional regulation, behavior, self-advocacy, and academic access.
• Deliver counseling services specifically aligned to IEP goals, including measurable targets in emotional regulation, behavioral functioning, and access to instruction
• Develop and implement counseling goals and interventions in alignment with IEPs.
• Support the development and implementation of Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs).
• Provide crisis intervention and immediate support when needed.
• Coordinate with external providers and mental health professionals to ensure continuity of care when appropriate.

Collaboration & Capacity Building

Partner with educators, families, and cross-functional teams to ensure consistent, inclusive, and effective support for students.

• Collaborate with special education teachers, school leaders, and families to develop and implement IEPs with strong social-emotional goals.
• Provide consultation and guidance to teachers and staff on supporting students with social-emotional and behavioral needs.
• Participate in IE team meetings, Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), and Inclusive Education structures.
• Contribute to and facilitate professional development for staff and families on topics such as SEL, trauma-informed practices, and behavior supports.
• Build strong, trusting relationships across stakeholders to ensure alignment and shared responsibility for student success.

Compliance & Case Management

Ensure all counseling services and related processes meet legal, ethical, and organizational standards.

• Maintains accountability for accurate and timely service delivery and documentation of counseling services prescribed in the IEP,
• Maintains accurate and timely progress monitoring and communication with stakeholders.
• Track services and maintain compliance using required systems (e.g., Welligent).
• Monitor student progress toward IEP goals and adjust supports accordingly.
• Manage caseloads and coordinate scheduling of services and meetings.
• Participate in IEP meetings as a related service provider, contributing data and recommendations.
• Stay current on special education law, counseling practices, and compliance requirements, ensuring adherence to all legal and ethical standards.

Family Engagement & Partnership

Strengthen relationships with families to support student growth and well-being.

• Communicate regularly with families regarding student progress and strategies for support.
• Provide resources and guidance to families to support social-emotional development at home.
• Partner with families as advocates and collaborators in the IEP process.
• Conduct home visits when appropriate to strengthen relationships and support student needs.

School Culture & Community

Contribute to a safe, inclusive, and restorative school environment aligned to Bright Star’s mission and values.

• Build strong, restorative relationships with students that promote belonging and trust.
• Support inclusive school culture where students with disabilities experience safety, dignity, and belonging.
• Collaborate with school teams to foster a positive, equitable learning environment
• Model professionalism and uphold high expectations for student behavior and engagement.

Values & Student Experience Alignment

The Inclusive Education Counselor advances the Bright Star Student Experience by ensuring:

• Students with disabilities develop the social-emotional skills necessary to access rigorous learning.
• Students feel physically and emotionally safe in inclusive environments.
• Students experience belonging, dignity, and meaningful participation in school communities.
• Families experience partnership, clarity, and advocacy.

This role embodies Bright Star’s core values:

Integridad – Ensures legal compliance and equitable access to services.
Ubuntu – Cultivates shared responsibility for inclusive student support.
Kohyang – Builds belonging for students with disabilities and their families.
Growth – Continuously improves practice through reflection and learning.

Performance Outcomes

Success in this role is demonstrated through measurable impact, including:

• Increased student progress toward IEP social-emotional and behavioral goals.
• Improved student engagement, belonging, and school culture data for students with disabilities.
• Strong compliance, including accurate documentation and reduced findings or corrective actions.
• High-quality implementation of counseling services aligned to IEPs.
• Increased staff capacity to support students’ social-emotional and behavioral needs.
• Strong family partnership and engagement in student support plans.

What Success Looks Like

• IE Counseling systems are consistent, compliant, and student-centered.
• Students demonstrate improved emotional regulation, engagement, and access to learning.
• School teams effectively implement inclusive and supportive practices.
• Families feel informed, supported, and engaged as partners.
• Strong, trusting relationships are built with students, families, and staff.

Please note:

Effective January 1, 2025: Under Education Code section 44939.5, you must provide a complete list of all prior employment with any school district, county office of education, charter school, or state special school, including part-time and substitute roles. You can provide your complete prior employment history within the work experience section of the application. Failure to disclose this information may be considered dishonesty in the hiring process or during employment.

VALUES & STUDENT EXPERIENCE ALIGNMENT

The Inclusive Education Counselor advances the Bright Star Student Experience by ensuring:

• Students with disabilities develop adequate coping skills that promote academic access and understanding.
• Students feel physically and emotionally safe in inclusive environments.
• Students have equitable access to enrichment and leadership opportunities.
• Families experience partnership, clarity, and advocacy.

This role embodies Bright Star’s values:

• Integridad: Ensures legal compliance and equitable access.
• Ubuntu: Cultivates shared responsibility for inclusive practices.
• Kohyang: Builds belonging for students with disabilities and their families.
• Growth: Promotes continuous instructional improvement and professional learning.

Success in this role is defined by measurable impact, including:

• Increased social-emotional, behavioral, and academic progress for students with disabilities.
• Reduction in compliance findings and corrective actions.
• Improved inclusion rates where appropriate.
• Stronger IEP implementation fidelity.
• Improved belonging and culture data for students with disabilities.
• Increased capacity of school leaders and IE teachers to independently manage compliance and instructional quality.

What Success Looks like

• Inclusive Education systems are compliant, proactive, and sustainable.
• Students with disabilities demonstrate academic growth and increased access and engagement with grade-level content.
• School leaders demonstrate confidence in managing IE systems.
• Families of students with disabilities experience clarity and partnership.
• Inclusive practices are embedded across campuses, not siloed.
• Distinct development of rapport and relationship-building amongst students and colleagues.

What You’ll Bring:

• Two years of school-based experience in special education, counseling, administrative leadership or a closely related field desired
• Master’s degree in School Counseling, Education, Psychology, Social Work, or another related field
• Valid California Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) Credential with an authorization in School Counseling or School Social Work
• Knowledge of Special Education law, FERPA, LAUSD compliance practices, and the Welligent system
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work with students from diverse backgrounds.
• Demonstrated growth mindset, experience with IEPs, experience with students with behavior interventions, and a commitment to continuous learning for self, colleagues, and students
• Intermediate Spanish language fluency desired

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to travel between nine school sites across Los Angeles (Mid City/West Adams, Koreatown, and Valley)
• Normal, routine levels of activity related to bending, carrying, climbing, hearing, lifting, reaching, sitting, standing, vision, and walking, and may also involve above-average levels of activity at times that can’t always be anticipated

What We Offer:

• Demonstrated growth mindset, experience with behavior interventions, and a commitment to continuous learning for self, colleagues, and students.
• Status: Full Time, 11 month position equivalent to an administrative calendar
• Location: Stella High Charter Academy, 1600 W. Imperial Highway

Los Angeles, CA 90047

• Benefits: Health, dental, vision, STRS retirement matching, life insurance, short-term disability, optional 403b plan, gas mileage reimbursement between work sites, sick and vacation paid time off, and holidays.
• Salary Range: BSS salary is commensurate with experience and education. You can find our current IE Counselor salary scale here.

What You’ll Bring:

• Two years of school-based experience in special education, counseling, administrative leadership or a closely related field desired
• Master’s degree in School Counseling, Education, Psychology, Social Work, or another related field
• Valid California Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) Credential with an authorization in School Counseling or School Social Work
• Knowledge of Special Education law, FERPA, LAUSD compliance practices, and the Welligent system
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work with students from diverse backgrounds.
• Demonstrated growth mindset, experience with IEPs, experience with students with behavior interventions, and a commitment to continuous learning for self, colleagues, and students
• Intermediate Spanish language fluency desired

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to travel between nine school sites across Los Angeles (Mid City/West Adams, Koreatown, and Valley)
• Normal, routine levels of activity related to bending, carrying, climbing, hearing, lifting, reaching, sitting, standing, vision, and walking, and may also involve above-average levels of activity at times that can’t always be anticipated