Director Of High School Counseling

METROPOLITAN SCHOOL DISTRICT WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, MARION COUNTY

8550 Woodfield Crossing Boulevard, Indianapolis, IN 46240

DATE: 2024-2025

POSITION: Director of High School Counseling

LOCATION: North Central High School

CALENDAR LENGTH: 215

CLASSIFICATION: Building Level Administrator

SALARY: Competitive Salary and Benefits Package

MSDWT OVERVIEW:

The Metropolitan School District of Washington Township (MSDWT) is located in the northern section of Indianapolis, Indiana and Marion County. It is a dynamic community with broad diversity in cultures, religions, ethnic groups, races, and socioeconomic levels.

The district has been an educational leader in Indiana for the last 60 years and offers a comprehensive educational curriculum with special activities and programs geared to provide enrichment, exploration, and instructional support for students. It also provides excellent opportunities for students to participate in outstanding performing arts, fine arts, academic teams, publications, athletics, and other student activities.

MISSION AND VISION:

MSDWT provides quality education in award winning schools built on a foundation of outstanding educators, administrators, school board members, and supportive parents. Our mission to develop lifelong learners and globally-minded citizens by fostering the academic, creative, and social skills needed to achieve excellence in a multicultural environment.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

The Director of School Counseling reports to the Coordinator of School Counseling & Student Wellness (primary) and Associate Principal (secondary).

The Director of School Counseling provides leadership, management, and supervision of the school counseling program and student services staff at North Central High School. This includes overseeing the academic, career, personal/social counseling, college/career development, and social-emotional learning for all students. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience working with diverse student populations.

Primary Responsibilities:

● Develop and implement a comprehensive school counseling program aligned with ASCA National Model

● Oversee social-emotional learning (SEL) initiatives and support SEL curriculum development and implementation for homeroom

● Create systems to support counselors & social workers working on separate grade-level support teams

● Develop consistent documentation and procedures for:

○ Enrollment aligned with the district enrollment procedures (during school year and summer)

○ 4-year academic plans

○ Student scheduling

○ Curriculum blitz

○ New course development

○ Ensuring course coding aligns with state guidance

● Oversee college and career development initiatives

○ Support state/district procedural demands

○ Organize college fairs including emphasis on HBCUs

○ Coordinate implementation of Xello college/career readiness curriculum

○ Provide professional development

○ Partner with College/Postsecondary Counselor on engagement plan for students/families

● Support student achievement of the Indiana College Core (ICC)

● Collaborate with the Associate Principal as well as the Indiana University Pathway Specialist and Indiana College Core Program Manager to increase opportunities for students to meet the ICC requirements.

● Support GLSTs in marketing the ICC and identifying students for the ICC pathway.

● Partner with Assistant Principals and Department Chairs to identify and advocate for ICC courses to be proposed during the annual new course proposal process based on student need and interest.

● Supervise and evaluate: College/Postsecondary Counselor, Graduation Coach, two registrars, and two Counseling Administrative Assistants

● Oversee testing schedules, procedures, and security (SAT, ILEARN, ASVAB, ACT, PSAT)

● Oversee cohort management, including enrollment and withdrawal

● Support diploma completion for a diverse student population

○ Monitor diploma completion trends

○ Propose locally created pathways to meet student needs

○ Support local implementation of Indiana High School Redesign

● Serve as liaison with school-based mental health providers

● Oversee substance misuse supports

● Collaborate with School Social Workers to:

○ Align the role with the National School Social Work Model

○ Coordinate community partnerships

○ Provide SEL and mental health supports to students

○ Support Family Engagement Strategies

○ Support the attendance office personnel and grade level support teams in promoting positive school attendance strategies and supporting interventions in response to excessive absences and truancy

○ Serve as building liaisons to the Department of Child Services

● Plan and implement professional development for counselors/social workers

● Oversee Section 504 implementation

● Provide supports for Professional Learning Communities (PLCs)

● Additional supervision duties as assigned

● Coordinate Open House, shadowing, tours

● Serve as liaison for 8th to 9th grade transition

● Plan new student orientation and transition supports

Other Responsibilities:

● Identify, collect, and analyze appropriate subgroup data in order to assess and develop key strategies for improvement

● Support MSDWT students with their post-secondary goals

● Increase student achievement and decrease gaps in achievement, participation, and overall engagement

● Counsel students/parents on complex situations

● Interpret data, evaluate programs, implement improvements

● Manage program budget and resources

● Ensure documentation and compliance

● Participate in student meetings on an as-needed basis(success, IEP, behavior)

● Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

● Master's in School Counseling; State Certification

● 5+ years' experience as professional school counselor

● Extensive counseling, mental health, child development, college/career, and SEL knowledge

● Outstanding communication, leadership, organization & interpersonal skills

● Skilled in data management, technology, and partnerships

● Leadership experience preferred

Physical Requirements:

(1) Seldom = Less than 25%

(2) Occasional = 26 to 50%

(3) Often = 51 to 75%

(4) Very Frequent = 76% & above

Ability to stand for extended periods of time. (1)

Ability to lift 25 lbs. (1)

Ability to carry 25 lbs. (2)

Ability to work at a desk, conference table or in meetings of various configurations. (4)

Ability to see for the purpose of reading laws and codes, rules and policies and other printed matter. (4)

Ability to hear and understand speech at normal levels. (4)

Ability to communicate so others will be able to clearly understand a normal conversation. (4)

Ability to operate office equipment. (4)

Ability to reach in all directions. (4)

Reasonable Accommodation: MSDWT is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. MSDWT is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities.