SW Cyber Academy School Counselor

South Western School District

Position Description

POSITION TITLE | SW Cyber Academy School Counselor  (In Person position)

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

10 month Professional Faculty Position (191 days) + 15 additional days beyond the SWEA contractual obligations (206 days)

Salary and benefits as negotiated through the Collective Bargaining Agreement

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Masters Degree with PA certification with PA certification 1839 Specialist – Elementary & Secondary School Counselor PK-12 
2. Preferred 3 years classroom teaching experience

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The SW Cyber Academy School Counselor will work closely with all members of the district faculty/staff,  but in close proximity with the K-12 school counselor team led by the Director of Pupil Services.  Additionally, the school counselors work with all those in the Pupil Services department,  including the Student Support and Social Services worker, the school psychologists, all k-12 special education faculty, K-12 Student Achievement Coaches / IST faculty, various district and building administrators, and building and district support staff, specifically the Pupil Services support staff (secretaries).

JOB SUMMARY:

The School Counselor plays a crucial role in supporting students' academic, social, and emotional development within the cyber academy setting. These responsibilities encompass a range of activities, including student support, academic guidance, and post-secondary planning. provide counseling related services for students delivered individually, in small groups, or in large groups, related to educational development, careers, and personal/social growth and emotional adjustments.  The counselor navigates day to day concerns of students at the SW Cyber Academy, and assists in the coordination of support for students as needed to meet the needs of all students, including participation in student concerns and SAP meetings.   

 PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:

Student Support & Resource Coordination

• Resource Connection: Connect students and families to resources and services within and outside of the school, including but not limited to:
  • Student Assistance Programs
  • School Social Worker services
  • Crisis Management support
• Communication: Maintain consistent communication with both parents and students regarding student progress and opportunities.
• 504 Plan Management:
  • Create, update, and monitor 504 Plans for eligible students.
• Student Well-being: Assist students with overcoming challenges related to online learning, such as time management.
• Office Hours & Monitoring: Maintain regular office hours and monitor student work.
• Assist the student crisis counselors across the district as necessary
• Support Safe 2 Say reporting
   

Academic Guidance & Monitoring

• Academic Progress: Track student progress toward grade advancement and graduation, including:
  • Monitoring academic progress.
  • Suggesting strategies for success.
  • Recommending remediation as needed.
• Course Placement: Guide student decision-making regarding course selection by reviewing academic records to ensure appropriate placement.
• Enrollment Support: Coordinate with Cyber Academy administration and the learning support teacher to assess student needs prior to enrollment.
• Graduation Requirements: Ensure that students meet all high school graduation requirements, including Act 158 pathway requirements.
• State Benchmarks: Ensure students meet State Career Benchmarks in grades 5th, 8th, and 11th.
• Schedule Management: Advise students with issues related to dropping courses and changing schedules, working with school counselors on hybrid schedules and ensuring adherence to school policies.
• Record Management:
  • Work with administrative assistants to obtain school records and upload them as needed.
  • Review student transcripts and the entry of credits into the district’s student information system.
• Course and Schedule Creation: Create courses and schedules for students.
• Grade Input: Input grades for students to generate transcripts.
• Student Attendance: Assist with tracking cyber student attendance requirements

Assessment & Testing

• State Testing: Assist in coordinating student participation in PSSA and Keystone Exams.

Post-Secondary & College Preparation

• Post-Secondary Planning: Help students research and understand their post-secondary career and educational options.
• College Preparation: Implement special programs such as Advanced Placement support, SAT, PSAT, and ACT preparation, and general college entrance preparation.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS:

Knowledge

• Understanding the ASCA Professional Standards and Competencies, especially those related to the PA school counselor specialist certification goals in academic, career planning, and social-emotional development standards.  
• Basic knowledge of educational psychology, specifically regarding the developmental needs for children ages 5 - 20.
• A strong understanding of career pathways, labor market trends, and college admission processes
• Familiarity with various school counseling theories and techniques
• Knowledge of school counseling program design principles 

Skills

• Verbal and written communication skills to work with multiple stakeholders including students, staff and families/community members.
• Critical problem solving
• Strong organizational and time management skills 
• Proficiency in using technology tools, such digital software, learning management systems, and student information systems

Abilities:

• Working collaboratively with teachers, administrators, and other school staff to create a supportive learning environment.
• Understanding and sharing in the feelings of others in order to build rapport and provide effective support.
• Able to adhere to confidentiality, privacy and ethical standards and principles for professional and trustworthy relationships with students and their families.
• Adapt and respond to emergency crisis, changing circumstances, and on the spot challenges as they emerge  

Able to hear with 40 decibel loss maximum and see with acuity of 20 inches or less and far acuity of at least 20 feet normal depth perception, field of vision and accommodation.  Must be able to reach above and below the waist, walk and use fingers to pick, feel and grasp objects.  Requires use of both hands for repetitive motion.  Some bending and twisting of the body required.  Lifts/carries supplies and papers weighing no more than 40 lbs.  Typical office environment with the ability to sit eighty percent (80%) of workday.

EEOC

We are an equal opportunity employer.  We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.