School Counselor 24-25 School Year
The 504 Counselor supports the social, emotional, and academic needs of students with disabilities. This role involves developing individualized support plans, providing direct counseling services, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, and engaging with families to ensure that students in the special education program can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. The Counselor advocates for an inclusive environment and equips students with the skills they need to navigate school successfully and transition to postsecondary opportunities.
Key Responsibilities
- Direct Student Support
- Provide individual and group counseling to students with special needs, focusing on social-emotional development, coping strategies, and behavior management.
- Develop, implement, and monitor Individualized Education Program (IEP) counseling and social skills goals.
- Assist students with disabilities in developing self-advocacy and self-regulation skills.
- Support students in navigating academic, social, and emotional challenges, including transitions from middle school to high school and post-graduation.
- Collaboration and Teaming
- Work closely with special education teachers, general education teachers, school psychologists, and administrators to provide holistic support.
- Participate in IEP meetings, student support meetings, and intervention planning.
- Coordinate with community resources, agencies, and external providers to supplement student support.
- Family and Community Engagement
- Communicate regularly with parents and guardians about student progress, challenges, and interventions.
- Provide resources and workshops to families on topics such as coping strategies, resilience, and navigating post-secondary options for students with special needs.
- Act as a liaison between the school and families to promote understanding and collaboration in supporting students with disabilities.
- Behavioral and Academic Interventions
- Conduct assessments to identify student needs and develop personalized behavior intervention plans.
- Implement evidence-based interventions, including positive behavior support, conflict resolution, and crisis intervention.
- Monitor and report on the effectiveness of interventions, adjusting strategies as necessary.
- Documentation and Compliance
- Maintain detailed records, ensuring compliance with state and federal guidelines for special education services.
- Document all counseling sessions, progress, and communications as required.
- Ensure that IEP goals and accommodations are implemented consistently and updated in collaboration with the special education team.
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.
Working Conditions
- Primarily works in a school setting with students, staff, and parents.
- Occasional evening or weekend hours may be required for events or meetings.
- Regular interactions with students who may exhibit challenging behaviors.
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
- Education: Master’s degree in School Counseling, Social Work, Counseling or a related field.
- Licensure/Certification: State certification in School Counseling, Special Education credentials, licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) preferred.
- Experience: Prior experience working with students with disabilities, ideally in a high school setting.
- Skills:
- Strong understanding of IDEA, Section 504, and other regulations related to special education.
- Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
- Proficiency in conflict resolution, de-escalation techniques, and crisis intervention.
- Ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams and effectively with students, families, and the community.
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.