Duties
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: The Guidance Department Chair will provide direct leadership and supervision of Student Services Department which includes, but is not limited to, counselors, social workers, school psychologists, college and career center, and clerical staff.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Development and Management
- Uses data to develop and inform the school counseling program and evaluates the program’s impact on the school’s instructional goals.
- Collaborates with the development and management of the comprehensive school counseling program with the building administration.
- Communicates and shares the goals of the comprehensive school counseling program to stakeholders including students, families and community partners.
- Develops and maintains a written plan for effective delivery of the school counseling programs based on Illinois Administrative Code Section 23.110 and aligned with the American School Counseling Association (ASCA) National Standards for School Counseling Programs.
- Development and implementation of departmental goals, objective, and procedures.
- Facilitates the screening and hiring of department personnel.
- Coordinates articulation with Junior Highs.
- Provides support with the Master Schedule.
- Coordinates course selection and registration.
Preventative and Responsive Services
- Consults with families and staff to appraise student needs and interests and to discuss appropriate recommendations for educational options, when needed.
- Oversees the planning and coordination of classroom sessions to meet the identified counseling competencies in the areas of academic achievement, career and educational development, and personal and social development to assist students in developing decision-making skills and identifying life goals.
- Ensures that the Students Services department has the capacity to assess student needs and makes referrals to appropriate school resource personnel, social agencies, community agencies and alternative programs.
- Builds relationships with outside agencies that assist with supporting students.
- Leads response to crisis management needs as they arise and coordinates student services staff to meet the needs of students, families, and staff.
System Support
- Guides, coordinates and supports school staff in implementing school wide programs.
- Assist with the implementation of staff development and training.
- Provides support for scheduling and support of special populations.
- Uses responsive counseling strategies to establish relationships and collaborate with educators, students, families, and community partners.
- Promotes an understanding and appreciation of diverse population and cultures.
- Establishes systems that assists families in obtaining services for their children through an appropriate referral and follow-up process.
Accountability
- Conducts at minimum a yearly program audit to review the extent and quality of program implementation.
- Prepares and submits a variety of requested reports and data, to ensure fulfillment of established program requirements.
- Builds the capacity of staff so they are able to use all available data, including academic grades, discipline referrals and attendance data, to identify students in need and to deliver services.
- Interprets tests, student data and other assessment results appropriately within the counseling environment for the purpose of developing and implementing systems of support.
- Evaluate department staff.
Desired Qualities
- Commitment to Equity: Passionate about closing the achievement gap and ensuring that every child, regardless of background or circumstance, receives an excellent education.
- Leadership: Coaches, mentors, and challenges others to excel despite obstacles and challenging situations.
- Professionalism: Display the highest ethical and professional behavior and standards when working with students, parents, school personnel, and agencies associated with the school.
- Focus on Data-Driven Results: Relentlessly pursues the improvement of central office performance and school leadership, instruction, and operations, and is driven by a desire to produce quantifiable student achievement gains.
- Innovative Problem-Solving: Approaches work with a sense of possibility and sees challenges as opportunities for creative problem solving; takes initiative to explore issues and find potential innovative solutions.
- Adaptability: Excels in constantly changing environments and adapts flexibly in shifting projects or priorities to meet the needs of a dynamic transformation effort; comfortable with ambiguity and non-routine situations.
- Teamwork: Increases the effectiveness of surrounding teams through collaboration, constant learning and supporting others; sensitive to diversity in all its forms; respects and is committed to learning from others
- Dependability: Does whatever it takes to consistently deliver with high quality under tight deadlines; successfully manages own projects through strong organization, detailed workplans, and balancing of multiple priorities.
- Communication and Customer Service Skills: Communicates clearly and compellingly with diverse stakeholders in both oral and written forms; anticipates and responds to customer needs in a high-quality and courteous manner.
Salary/Benefits
COMPENSATION: Per Teacher Salary Schedule based on education and experience. District 308 grants experience credit on the salary schedule for up to 10 years of prior, verifiable, contractual full-time teaching experience.
UNION MEMBERSHIP: This position is represented by the Oswego Education Association (OEA) and requires payment to OEA of membership dues or fair share of the costs of the services rendered by the Association.
How to Apply
Please visit SD308 Human Resources
Link to District/Third Party Online Application Web Page
https://www.applitrack.com/d308/onlineapp/default.aspx