Cardozo Education Campus is looking for highly motivated and skilled Bilingual School Counselor (Spanish) to join our team at District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS). We seek an individual who are passionate about transforming the DC school system and making a significant difference in the lives of our students, families, and greater DC community.
DCPS serves 50,000 students in the nation's capital through the efforts of approximately 4,000 educators in 118 schools. As part of a comprehensive reform effort to become the preeminent urban school system in America, DCPS intends to have the highest-performing, best paid, most satisfied, and most honored educator force in the nation and a distinctive central office staff whose work supports and drives instructional excellence and significant achievement gains for DCPS students.
Position Overview
The Counselor, (Elementary, Middle School, High School) is responsible for providing a comprehensive school counseling program that is preventative in design, developmental in implementation, and supports DCPS students in the areas of academic achievement, career and college planning, and personal and social development. The Counselor also serves as consultant to educators, families, and community partners. The Counselor receives technical assistance, support, and instruction from the Principal while working in coordination with the School Counseling Manager. Additionally, the Counselor works closely with faculty and staff of local school, DCPS central office, various social services agencies (i.e., D.C. Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA)), the Superior Court, personnel from other public school systems, and parents.
This is an 11‐month position. The Counselor, High School is required to report for duty for the two weeks immediately following the end of the school year and the two weeks immediately preceding the start of the school year.
This position has been designated as Safety Sensitive. Pursuant to section 410 of Chapter 4 of the D.C. Personnel Regulations; in addition to the general suitability screening, individuals applying for or occupying security sensitive positions are subject to the following checks and tests: Criminal background check; Sex Offender Registry check; Pre-employment drug and alcohol test; Traffic record check (as applicable); Reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol test; and Post-accident or incident drug and alcohol test.
The Counselor (High School) will report to the Principal.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The below statements are intended to describe the general nature and scope of work being performed by this position. This is not a complete listing of all responsibilities, duties, and/or skills required. Other duties may be assigned.
Working independently but under the supervision of the school Principal or their designee, the Counselor is responsible for designing, developing, and implementing a comprehensive school counseling program to serve the academic, career, and social/emotional needs of students enrolled in DCPS. The primary purpose of the comprehensive school counseling program is the support of the instructional and academic goals of DCPS.
More specifically, the Counselor performs the following:
Development and Management
- Uses data to develop and inform the development of the school counseling program and evaluates the program’s impact on the school’s instructional goals.
- Coordinates comprehensive school counseling program at the high school level.
- Supports the transition of student records and data between school years related to the secondary school counseling program, i.e., ensuring proper and accurate student schedules, supporting the registration process, and using data to support student planning.
- Collaborates on the development and management of the comprehensive school counseling program with the school administrator or instructional leader.
- Communicates and shares the goals of the comprehensive school counseling program to education stakeholders, including students, families, and community partners.
- Develops and maintains a written plan for effective delivery of the school counseling programs based on the DCPS standard course of study and aligned with the ASCA National Standards of School Counseling Programs.
- Uses 80% of time to provide direct services to students through preventative and responsive services, including individual student planning, and uses 20% of time in development and management, system support and accountability.
Preventative and Responsive Services
- Designs, implements, and assesses the counseling curriculum.
- Utilizes responsive counseling, initiating individual and group sessions for students’ academic, social, and personal concerns.
- Consults with families and educators to assess student needs and interests and to discuss appropriate recommendations for educational options.
- Plans, coordinates, and provides classroom lessons to meet the identified mindsets and behaviors in the areas of academic achievement, career and educational development, and personal/social development to assist students in developing decision‐making skills and identifying life goals.
- Assesses student needs and makes referrals to appropriate school resource personnel, social agencies, community agencies, and alternative programs.
Individual Student Planning
- Prepares students for the transition to the next level: middle school, high school, college, career, post-high school activities, and post-secondary options.
- Advertises course offerings to students and supports the scheduling process.
- Completes the course selection process, including updating and editing student course selections.
- Plans and coordinates programs such as career and college fairs, test skills preparation, improved attendance activities, and other extensions of the counseling program to support students’ knowledge of post‐secondary options.
- Assists students in navigating their academic, workplace, and community experiences through individual student planning (this includes individual graduation portfolios (IGP), student interviews, letters of understanding (LOU), and other planning tools).
- Collaborates with parents/guardians and educators to assist students with educational and career planning.
- Collaborates with school management teams to advocate for students' needs and to provide support for school staff.
System Support
- Supports other school staff in implementing school-wide advisory programs.
- Uses responsive counseling strategies to establish relationships and collaborate with educators, students, families, and community partners, which reflects recognition of and respect for each individual and promotes an understanding and appreciation of diverse population and cultures.
- Assists families in obtaining services for their children through an appropriate referral and follow‐up process.
- Serves as liaison between the social services agencies (i.e., D.C. Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA)) and personnel from the various school systems where wards of the District of Columbia are attending school.
- Assists teachers in understanding their students, including providing and interpreting student data.
- Provides in‐service training on topics related to the school counseling program and supporting student achievement.
Accountability
- Conducts, at a minimum, a yearly program audit to review the extent and quality of program implementation.
- Prepares and submits a variety of reports and data to ensure fulfillment of established program requirements.
- Uses all available data, including academic grades, discipline referrals, and attendance data, to identify students in need to deliver services.
- Interprets tests, student data, and other assessment results appropriately in the counseling environment for the purpose of developing and implementing academic plans for individual students
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree.
- Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university in school counseling.
- Previous exposure to or experience in the education sector a plus.
- Retains a current and valid OSSE-issued certification as a professional school counselor.
- Ability to learn the student information system (ASPEN).
- Familiarity with Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), District of Columbia Municipal Regulations, Title 5
- Education, The ASCA National Model: A Framework for School Counseling Programs, ASCA National Standards, ASCA
- School Counselor Competencies, ASCA Ethical Guidelines, and ASCA School Counselor Performance Standards.
- Ability to learn and follow Directives of the Chancellor, internal operating procedures, and other guidelines established
- by the Office of the Chief Academic Officer.
- Ability to analyze data to inform work and decision making, analyze and evaluate available data, assess student needs, and develop and implement procedures and policies to support student achievement
DCPS Values
STUDENTS FIRST: We recognize students as whole children and put their needs first in everything we do.
COURAGE: We have the audacity to learn from our successes and failures, to try new things, and to lead the nation as a proof point of PK-12 success.
EQUITY: We work proactively to eliminate opportunity gaps by interrupting institutional bias and investing in effective strategies to ensure every student succeeds.
EXCELLENCE: We work with integrity and hold ourselves accountable for exemplary outcomes, service, and interactions.
TEAMWORK: We recognize that our greatest asset is our collective vision and ability to work collaboratively and authentically.
JOY: We enjoy our collective work and will enthusiastically celebrate our success and each other.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $73,231.00 - $118,227.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- This role primarily focuses on supporting students with academic planning, college and career readiness, and navigating middle/high school requirements. While providing social-emotional support as part of the overall student experience is important, this is not a clinical or therapy-focused position. Please describe your experience and approach in helping students with academic planning, college/career preparation, and general guidance support
Education:
Language:
License/Certification:
Work Location: In person
