VirtualVocations

Home Based Counseling Services Manager

Company Summary:
Connections Academy, a “school without walls”, is an innovative public virtual educational program serving K-12 students throughout various states in a non-classroom-based environment. A learning team, consisting of Parent/Learning Coach, a Certified Teacher and educational specialists, work collaboratively with students using a standards-based hybrid curriculum that includes both online and offline options. This is a unique opportunity to be part of an exciting new public schooling model that creates alternative teaching and learning options for students, parents and teachers by leveraging the latest technologies, capitalizing on recent policy initiatives and embracing a cutting edge approach to education.
Connections Academy operates one school in Ohio under contract to the Ohio Connections Academy (OCA). OCA is a community school sponsored by the Ohio Council of Community Schools. The school serves students in grades K12 from anywhere in Ohio. OCA is nationally accredited by the Commission on International and Trans-regional Accreditation (CITA) and the North Central Association. 90% of all CA parents rated the program an “A” or “B” for the 2007-2008 school year.

Position Summary and Responsibilities
Working from our office in Worthington, Ohio, the Manager of Counseling Services will establish processes and procedures to implement a high quality school counseling program in the virtual school. The Manager of Counseling Services will provide direction to the counseling staff and will assist students and parents in understanding and meeting graduation requirements, course selection and scheduling, post-secondary school planning, and crisis intervention. The Manager of Counseling Services will support the entire educational program of the school with special emphasis on the secondary school (grades 6 12). The job responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Develop, plan and implement counseling programs for students and families related to academic and career planning and graduation.
• Oversee and maintain the Personal Learning Plan (PLP) of each student.
• Keep abreast of all high school graduation requirements, including special requirements such as community service, and communicate this information to the High School Coordinator and the principal.
• Plan and supervise the secondary school course selection process according to specific state credit and graduation requirements and student needs and interests. An integral part of this process is assisting students and parents to develop a Four Year Plan for meeting graduation requirements.
• Counsel students with issues related to dropping courses and changing schedules.
• Supervise the review of student transcripts and the entry of credits into the online transcript system.
• Develop and implement procedures to ensure that Connections Academy transcripts are accurate and up-to-date.

• Supervise efforts to secure complete and accurate records for Connections Academy students.
• Generate and authorize official transcripts for families upon request.
• Counsel families through the school withdrawal process, assisting with data collection regarding withdrawal.
• Develop, plan and implement counseling programs for students and families related to interpersonal adjustment issues.
• Design and implement crisis prevention and management plans for the school and provide leadership to the Crisis Management Team.
• Report and refer critical incidents that jeopardize student well-being as obligated by law, administrative regulations, or ethical standards.
• Lead school teams in identifying school and community resources and maintain an up-to-date list of those resources, making them available to school teams and to families.
• Develop and implement processes to regularly and frequently review the status of each secondary school student related to attendance, participation, and performance.
• Ensure that the counseling staff is able to assist teachers when students enroll mid-semester, making sure that teachers receive guidance on integrating the students into their coursework, and ensuring that previous grades, credits, and evaluations are handled appropriately.
• Work closely with teachers to review the content of secondary school courses, making recommendations for enhancement to the Curriculum Team related to content and state requirements.
• Research, develop and implement special programs such as Advanced Placement support, SAT and ACT Preparation, and college entrance preparation.
• Understand the requirements for and facilitate the administration of all high school testing, including exit exams, PSAT, SAT, ACT, and AP exams.
• Design and implement professional development activities for teachers and school staff members.
• Design and coordinate high school graduation ceremonies.
• Coordinate a team of middle and high school teachers, helping to identify students who are at risk or in crisis. The Advisory Teacher will be the main point of contact for parents and students for these issues. 

Requirements
• Masters Degree in School or Guidance Counseling
• Minimum 3 years of counseling experience in a secondary school setting preferred
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
• Customer focused approach
• High degree of flexibility
• Occasional travel
• Demonstrated ability to work well in fast-paced environment
• Team player with demonstrated leadership skills
• Technologically proficient (especially with Microsoft Office products)

 

Employer Posted:Tuesday, August 26, 2008