Student Success Counselor

MISSION
YouthBuild DC Public Charter School (YouthBuild PCS) is an alternative high school for young people seeking to transform their lives by re-engaging in their education in a non-traditional school environment. YouthBuild PCS prepares students for post-secondary education and the workplace by offering, in English and Spanish, academic, vocational and workforce development programs. YouthBuild PCS believes that service to the community is an essential part of the transformative process. Therefore, students serve their community through volunteer projects and by creating housing for low-income residents in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.

For more information about YouthBuild PCS, visit youthbuildpcs.org.

RESPONSIBILITIES
Every student at YouthBuild PCS is assigned a Student Success Counselor/Coach to help them with overcoming challenges that impede their ability to be successful in school and in life. Through a combination of one-on-one counseling and group and community programming, a Student Success Counselor enables students to set and achieve goals and overcome obstacles to student success such as mental and physical health, transportation, housing, childcare, etc.

The Student Success Counselor’s primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Counseling

Provide one-on-one counseling to students for the purposes of:

• setting personal and school goals
• assisting students with problem-solving and critical thinking to include self -analysis and self-management
• supporting students with short term crisis intervention
• increasing social skills, anger management, self-esteem, and conflict resolution,
• systematically coaching students in the process of barrier identification and problem-solving, and;
• ultimately ensuring sustained engagement and persistence in school and success in life
• Create an environment that is supportive while reinforcing the need for individual student accountability
• Maintain an effective system of record keeping and documentation which ensures confidentiality

Collaboration and Coordination

• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings including Student Support Team and IEP meetings as needed
• Meet with academic and construction program teachers regularly to discuss counseling case reviews, behavior plan progress, social emotional curriculum planning as well as other concerns
• Collaborate with outside agencies to share information and ensure creation of seamless service delivery plans for students
• Meet with students and their families to effectively interpret the services of public and private agencies whose programs and services may meet their needs

Leadership and Training

• Serve as an active member of the School Culture and Student Support team working closely with other departments to ensure student success
• Advocate for students both at YouthBuild and as they navigate challenges outside of school
• Conduct home visits when necessary
• Co-facilitate student and family workshops
• Co-facilitate teacher and staff professional development sessions

QUALIFICATIONS
Successful candidates will possess the following qualifications:

• Demonstrated passion for and commitment to YouthBuild’s mission to transform lives of DC opportunity youth
• Master’s in social work, counseling, psychology or related field required
• Valid professional license in the District of Columbia or eligibility to obtain licensure
• Minimum of two years of clinical experience required; experience working as a school counselor or social worker in school-based settings, preferably urban or alternative school settings
• Expertise in positive youth development principles and alternative high schools
• Exemplary listening and interpersonal skills
• Strong cultural competency skills, including excellent ability to communicate with diverse students and staff
• Experience using data and data systems to make programming decisions and ability to coach others in the use of data to ensure service delivery meets the needs of all students
• Ability to plan strategically and maintain a focus on results
• Energetic, flexible, creative, innovative individual who can develop strengths-based, student-centered support plans
• Extraordinary interpersonal skills and desire to work as a team player with teachers and staff
• Ability to partner and create relationships with parents and community members
• Ability to thrive in a highly collaborative work environment, and flexibility to navigate complex situations, tasks, and challenges
• Energetic, flexible, creative, innovative individual who can develop strengths-based, student-centered support plans
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Proficiency in Spanish strongly preferred
  

YouthBuild PCS is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not allow discrimination with respect to employment or any of the terms or conditions of employment because of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, sexual identity, marital status or religion.

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Education:

• Master's degree

Experience:

• clinical counseling: 2 years+
  

Language:

• Spanish (preferred)

License/Certification:

• DC clinical license