The Kairos Middle School Counselor, reporting to the principal, plays a pivotal role in implementing the school's comprehensive counseling program. The counselor's responsibilities span four key areas: 1) Social Emotional Learning, 2) Individual Student Planning, 3) Responsive Services, and 4) System Support. They will collaborate closely with the Kairos team to ensure students are well-prepared for their high school journey, empowering them to shape their future.

Key Responsibilities:

Social Emotional Learning (Direct Student Services) 

• Design and evaluate social emotional learning and college and career counseling programs.
• Conduct identity-affirming social emotional learning activities in collaboration with administrators and teachers.
• Provide structured counseling sessions addressing self-awareness, self-identity, and academic success barriers.
• Deliver individual and group counseling sessions covering a range of topics.

Individual Student Planning 

• Develop educational and career plans for groups and individual students.
• Assist with middle school to high school transition, including orientation activities.
• Guide students in evaluating their current status and graduation requirements.
• Maintain accurate records and support high school student scheduling.

System Support

• Participate in support team processes for designing, monitoring, and adjusting educational plans.
• Review and modify the comprehensive counseling program in collaboration with staff and administrators.
• Advise students and families on course selection and post-secondary options.
• Participate in student-focused meetings and develop special programs to support student transition.

Responsive Services

• Collaborate with stakeholders to support educational and socio-emotional issues.
• Assist with student McKinney-Vento identification and crisis prevention and response.
• Support career pathways and identify at-risk students for credit recovery planning.

Job Success Metrics

• Social Emotional Learning: 90% student-reported acquisition of skills or concepts during quarterly assessments; 10% increase in one social emotional learning area from semester 1 to semester 2.
• Individual Student Planning: 100% of at-risk students for credit deficiency have individual plans created and progress monitored.
• System Supports: 100% of students have credit progress tracked each semester.
• Responsive Services: 100% completion and documentation of referrals.

Who We Are

Now is the opportune moment (the kairos) to reimagine education for the 21st century. Our schools have been recognized by Forbes, Bellwether Education, NBC Today, Education Week, and others as among the most innovative and highest performing in the nation. That's why we replace lectures with engaging projects and dictatorial "behavior managers" with 1-1 executive functioning mentors who help students learn how to manage their own schedule and work habits. Kairos students practice navigating real-world choices (such as when, where, how, and with whom to work) within a safe, supportive school environment. Kairos develops students not just into freethinkers, ready to thrive in a modern economy, but self-governing citizens, ready to lead both themselves and their communities.

Technology Skills 

Competence in Microsoft Office applications and ability to use a variety of computer applications and platforms. Ability to use basic office equipment. Knowledge and experience in using a computer-based student Information Management system.

Safety Duties & Responsibilities 

Every employee of the School has an obligation to know our safety rules and procedures; to teach what they know to others; to recognize unsafe actions and situations; to warn others of unsafe situations; to react to emergency situations and to report hazardous or unsafe practices to those in a position to correct them.

Qualifications and Requirements 

• Bachelor’s degree in related field.
• Master’s degree or higher in education, school counseling, social work, counseling, counseling psychology, or a closely related mental health discipline preferred
• Missouri Certification in School Counseling or Licensed Professional Counselor. Bachelor’s degree Required
• Must be eligible to work in the United States and provide work authorization.
• Satisfactory completion of criminal records check, pre-hire and annually thereafter, if applicable.

Starting Salary: $50,000 annually based on experience To learn more, check out our career pathways!

Benefits:

• Our commitment to you includes a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package that covers health, dental, and vision. In addition, we offer performance-based stipends, opportunities for education advancement, and a dedication to fostering work-life balance. Our school community is built on diversity and support, with small class sizes and a cozy co-working atmosphere. You'll have access to a range of professional growth opportunities, both on and off-campus, and you'll become part of a network of schools that are fully committed to upholding Love, Equity, Agency, and Diversity.

Schedule:

• In-person teaching Monday through Friday 7:30am 4:00pm 
  • Some weekends and evenings will be required. 

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Saint Louis, MO 63118: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required). Please note, this is not a remote position. All Kairos teachers are required to deliver in-person instruction onsite, in our school in St. Louis.