Alliance College-Ready Public Schools is one of the largest and most successful nonprofit public charter school networks in the nation, operating 25 high-performing, middle and high schools that educate nearly 13,000 scholars who make up the heart of Los Angeles’ Latinx, Black, and recent immigrant communities. Alliance schools have been recognized as among the best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, Newsweek, the U.S. Department of Education, and the California Department of Education. Since opening our first school in 2004, 95% of Alliance scholars have graduated from high school. We strive to uplift our scholars and their communities by fostering unparalleled educational opportunities that encourage scholarly thought, resilient learning, powerful communication, mind-body wellness, and community advocacy. To learn more, visit www.LAalliance.org.
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ROLE SUMMARY
School Counselors are responsible for providing a comprehensive school counseling program grounded in the ASCA national model that is preventative in design, developmental in implementation, and supports Alliance scholars through a coherent, data-informed college readiness and postsecondary planning approach in the areas of academic achievement, college readiness, planning, and matriculation, career exploration, and personal and social development. School Counselors serve as advocates on campus who provide support and assist in the consistent communication between each scholar and their teachers, administrators, parents, coaches, and prospective supplemental/enrichment programs to promote successful postsecondary transitions and long-term outcomes.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Provide Guidance to Support Middle/High School Completion
Use data to develop and inform the development of the school counseling program and evaluate the program’s impact on the school’s instruction and operating goals.
Provide resources and information to assist scholars in developing a rigorous academic course schedule, aligned with scholars’ skills and interests.
Assist in ensuring proper and accurate scholar transcripts, schedules (making appropriate schedule changes as needed), and accurate course placements, using data to support scholar planning.
Ensure academic records are accurate and monitor scholars’ progress towards graduation, A–G completion and UC/CSU eligibility, using data to identify early interventions.
Provide direct preventative and responsive services to scholars, including individual scholar planning and evaluating and informing scholars of their graduation status. Ensure equitable academic planning and graduation pathways for scholars experiencing homelessness, scholars in foster care, and Multilingual Learners, in alignment with state and federal requirements.
As necessary, develop or support the development of 504 plans, participate in Individual Education Plan (IEP) meetings, and contribute to the development of scholars’ Individual Transition Plan (ITP).
Facilitate and/or participate in Student Support and Progress Team (SSPT) meetings, Grade Level Team meetings, and Culture Team meetings.
Counsel, motivate, and work with scholars who are underachieving or need additional support academically.
Coordinate across middle and high school counseling teams to ensure scholars experience seamless transitions, with aligned interventions, course sequencing, and college readiness planning.
Provide Guidance to Support College Matriculation and Completion Aligned with Scholar's Personal Interests and Strengths
Create a college-going culture across the school at all grade levels to guide scholars through a structured postsecondary planning process that emphasizes college match, academic readiness, and long-term success.
Coordinate career awareness activities across all grade levels such as career fairs and guest speakers.
Support scholars in identifying paths towards post-secondary options, developing a list of colleges and universities to which to apply, applying to colleges, and matriculating to college.
Develop and implement programs related to financial aid literacy and readiness for all grade levels, including opportunities for scholarships and financial aid completion.
Use Alliance-adopted college planning platforms to monitor scholar progress, completion of milestones, and postsecondary outcomes.
Contribute to alumni data collection and reporting efforts to inform college persistence strategies and continuous improvement.
Support the Personal Development of Scholars
Conduct structured, goal-oriented, data-driven guidance to meet the identified needs of individuals or groups of scholars.
Support in assessing scholars’ social and emotional needs and make referrals to appropriate Alliance resources, social agencies, community agencies, and alternative programs in consultation with their parents/guardians.
Consult and coordinate the referral process with school and Alliance personnel including School Psychologists, Social Workers, administrators, teachers, and other community resources.
Plan, coordinate, and/or implement classroom guidance sessions to meet the identified counseling competencies in the areas of academic achievement, career and educational development, and personal and social development to assist scholars in developing decision-making skills and identifying life goals.
Consult and collaborate with teachers, staff, and parents/guardians regarding the developmental needs of scholars.
Adapt to the varying needs of scholars, parents, and stakeholders, including but not limited to the ability to work in high-pressure situations and environments.
Provide Systems Support
Use Alliance technology platforms (e.g. PowerSchool, Overgrad, Californiacolleges.edu, Parchment) to inform and support the counseling program.
Build community resources to promote scholars’ academic, personal/social emotional, college and career success.
Act as an advocate for scholars as appropriate in conjunction with other staff.
Provide professional development programs for school staff on topics related to the school counseling program and supporting scholar achievement.
Collaborate with Parent Engagement Specialists and Community Schools Coordinators to provide opportunities for parent education programs.
Participate with the administration and faculty as a team member in school committees.
Participates in ongoing professional growth opportunities to keep current with trends and practices in the field, including those offered through the Home Office.
Supervise School Counselor interns as appropriate.
Perform additional related duties as assigned.
IDEAL CANDIDATES
Belief: Hold the belief that all scholars, regardless of their economic or social demographics, deserve a quality education and can earn a four-year college degree.
Social Justice: Desire to work in systemically underserved communities in Los Angeles and be a part of Alliance’s social justice mission by integrating anti-racist, pro-Black, student-centered instruction.
Culture: Demonstrate an ability to develop a positive, achievement-oriented, supportive, and collaborative culture of high expectations that motivates and inspires scholars to learn at college-preparatory levels.
Data: Knowledge of psychological and educational techniques, tests, materials, methods, theories, and trends in assessing and identifying scholarly learning and behavioral characteristics. Familiarity with Welligent or similar systems of documentation.
Expertise: Have strong and comprehensive school counseling expertise to drive scholars' academic and personal development. Thrive in an environment of high expectations and collaboration.
Mindset: Hold a growth mindset and commit to continuously honing their craft.
Relationship-Building: Have strong interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills with both children and adults.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
California Pupil Personnel Services credential in School Counseling. Applicants will be required to provide a copy of the credential.
Equivalent Out-of-State Credential transferring to California. Applicants will be required to provide a copy of their out-of-state credential and official transcripts verifying completion of an equivalent school counseling program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
Master’s Degree in School Counseling, Education, Psychology, Social Work, or another related field from an accredited college or university.
BENEFITS
In alignment with our commitment to equity for our scholars, Alliance is dedicated to promoting equity and transparency within our team, offering competitive salaries commensurate with experience, as well as generous retirement and health benefits. This position is Exempt.
We strive to be the best employer possible by offering excellent benefits for our employees and their families. Please click HERE for more information about our health benefits, retirement options, as well as our paid holidays and leave.
Professional Development: At Alliance, we believe in supporting school leadership growth and providing substantial school-based and network-wide professional development support.
Leadership Opportunities: Leadership opportunities are extensive at Alliance, and those interested in growing their leadership skills are invited to join our Emerging Leader Cadre program.
Recognition: The Counseling & Wellness Provider of the Year provides special recognition and compensation to a provider who demonstrates their dedication and exceptional ability to engage scholars.
COMPENSATION
$75,000.00 - $154,155.00
APPLICATION PROCESS
Interested candidates should submit an application. If you advance to the next step, you will be contacted for a phone screen and/or interview. Only candidates who advance will be contacted.
If you would like to view the progress of your application, you can log in to your Candidate Home Account by signing in at the top right of our jobs page.
Unfortunately, we are not able to sponsor or support applicants on visas at this time or in the foreseeable future.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION
Alliance College-Ready Public Schools is dedicated to fostering an inclusive, anti-racist, pro-Black community that celebrates diversity, equity, and the unique identities of all scholars and staff. Nearly two-thirds of our teachers and administrators identify as people of color, reinforcing our commitment to representation and the power of diverse role models. We recognize the richness of the cultures and communities we serve, and we believe that embracing and empowering these identities is essential to the success and pride of our scholars. Working at Alliance means joining a movement to drive transformative change, nurture resilience, and build lifelong, meaningful connections with scholars and their communities.
Champion Alliance’s Anti-Racist, Pro-Black Mission: The strongest candidates will bring a commitment to Alliance’s mission of building an anti-racist, pro-Black community that prioritizes the success and well-being of Black and Brown scholars. Candidates should have a passion for promoting equity through anti-racist, student-centered teaching practices that celebrate racial and cultural identities. This role is rooted in service to systemically underserved communities in Los Angeles, helping scholars graduate “college-ready” with pride in who they are.
This job description is subject to change at any time based on the evolving needs of the organization.
Alliance College-Ready Public Schools are tuition-free public charter schools that do not discriminate against any scholar, parent, community member, or staff member based on actual or perceived ancestry, age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.
Alliance College-Ready Public Schools requires that all team members complete a LiveScan background check and TB clearance.
Research shows that while men apply to jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the requirements, women and other underrepresented people tend to only apply when they match every criterion. If you think you meet some of the qualifications, but don't necessarily check every box in the job description, we encourage you to still apply. If you have questions contact the Talent Acquisition Team at [email protected].
