KANSAS CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Job Description 

Job Title:                     College and Career Readiness Counselor         

Job Title Code:              00870

Salary Grade:               TC01-T06 (see Teacher Salary Schedule)

Department:                 Student Support 

Reports To:                   Principal

FLSA Status:                 Exempt

Date Prepared:              August 2011                Revised:  April 2012 June 2020; June 2021

Lincoln College Preparatory Academy is seeking a highly effective College and Career Counselor to join its team. The College and Career Counselor works to provide a seamless transition from high school to college, technical school or into the work force by providing students and families with the tools, resources and opportunities for them to be competitive and ready for the college application and matriculation process or alternative routes.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

College Preparation

• Educate students, families, and team members about basic requirements to be admissible to college for in-state four-year programs, selective four-year programs, and two-year programs
• Support students in creating individualized college plans based on student data and student and family preferences for college options, including setting goals for GPA and ACT based on current standings and long term goals
• Ensure that 100% of students sign up for and complete the ACT before graduation.
• Counsel students to identify the right list of reach, match and safety schools
• Educate families about the application, admissions and enrollment processes. Help families prepare organizationally and emotionally well in-advance
• Work with senior advisors and teachers to develop and implement college preparation curriculum that will teach non-academic skills needed to be successful in college

College Applications and Enrollment

• Create programming differentiated to address the needs of students prepared for in-state four-year programs, selective four-year programs, and two-year programs
• Support students in collecting and crafting documentation needed for college applications: score reports, transcripts, personal statements and other supplemental documents as needed
• Work to prepare students eligible for multicultural school visits and scholarships provided through community based organizations for successful interviews and visits
• Support teachers and advisors in writing meaningful recommendations for students applying to schools where recommendations are needed
• Work with students to ensure that once a college is chosen, all forms and fees – housing application, enrollment form, etc. – are turned in on time for 100% of students

Scholarships and Financial Aid

• Educate students and families about the financial aid application process and the range of finances they can expect to encounter with the different schools to which they have applied
• Work with families to ensure all students apply for the FAFSA successfully. Ensure all colleges receive financial aid information and that all students accept their financial aid packages in a timely manner
• Build relationships with financial aid offices at colleges and universities where students will attend to facilitate a smooth enrollment process for 100% of students
• Track and report students’ scholarship awards during their senior year.

External Stakeholder Management

• Build relationships with admissions officers from in and out-of-state schools to which our students will apply; arrange visits and presentations for those schools on campus
• Create a college profile to disseminate within NACAC, the National Association for College Admission Counseling, and build relationships there to build our brand among colleges who are recruiting
• Build relationships with admissions officials at state and private universities expecting applications to facilitate completed applications
• Work with colleges with multi-cultural visit programs and with other scholarship programs, including Posse, Questbridge, and Gates to ensure they consider our students
• Continue to maintain relationships with admissions officials and officers to advocate for students through their application processes

Building School Culture

• Believe deeply in the mission of the Kauffman School and that all children can meet high academic expectations
• Discuss, celebrate, and reinforce the school’s PREP (Perseverance, Results, Empathy, Passion) values
• Implement school-wide behavior management system consistently with all students
• Embrace feedback and constructive criticism in the spirit of constant improvement
• Demonstrate maturity, humility, professionalism, confidence, and a strong work ethic inside and outside the classroom

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred
• At least three years of relevant experience working with low-income, minority, or historically underachieving students (Preferred: experience teaching in an urban high school and/or multicultural admissions experience)
• At least two years of relevant experience coaching and mentoring students on college application, matriculation and persistence

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

• Able to build positive relationships with students, families and colleagues
• Commitment to and complete belief in Lincoln College Preparatory Academy’s mission to create college graduates as well as in the School’s organizational success
• Personality should project enthusiasm, professionalism and a high level of credibility
• Ability to maintain a calm, professional demeanor in the face of competing demands and external pressures
• Ability to take feedback well and implement changes immediately
• Ambition and desire to grow and to work both autonomously and collaboratively
• Commitment to getting the job done right and willingness to do whatever it takes to create and maintain an orderly, effective school organization
• Acute attention to detail coupled with the ability to think and act strategically
• Demonstrated strong communication and interpersonal skills with students, parents, colleagues and community members
• Must have a strong personal value system that encompasses high integrity, honesty, a solid work ethic, high professional standards and strong moral character

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:  No

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Baccalaureate degree.
• Hold or be eligible for a Missouri School Counselor Certificate (9-12)
• Ability and willingness to continually develop, evaluate, and refine curriculum in collaboration with colleagues.
• Ability to work with a diverse group of students.
• Ability to develop a strong working relationship with the business community.
• Ability to foster student leadership development .
• Excellent communication skills (both written and oral).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Career Readiness
• Familiarity with college readiness strategies
• Middle School Experience
• Prior DECA chapter advisor experience

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

This job requires that the employee be able to: sit, stand, walk, speak, hear, use hands, fingers, reach with hands and fingers; bend, stoop, lift objects of at least ten pounds.  Job requires the employee occasionally to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.  Visual ability requires mono and color vision, close vision, distance vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. 

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

Length of work year:  10-month calendar (185 days)

Benefits:  Retirement Programs, Health, and Dental Insurance are provided.

Budget Holder:

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Human Capital Mgmt:

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Signed by BH 4/24/12