General description of the position: A CTECS School Counseling & Admissions Department Head is a school counselor who provides leadership, advocacy, and collaboration at the school level to ensure the development, implementation, and assessment of a school counseling framework and programming that benefits all students in the school. The Department Head collaborates with the Director of Admissions to participate in recruitment and admission activities as appropriate. Qualifications required, (e.g., education, degrees, certification, licensing, skills, knowledge, abilities, specialized training): * State of Connecticut teaching certificate * Active State of Connecticut teaching certificate (#105 Department Chairperson or #092 Intermediate Administration or Supervision AND #068 School Counselor) * Minimum of a Master's degree from an accredited four-year university or college. * Professional experiences related to the field of school counseling, * Demonstrate knowledge and expertise of the ASCA National Model and the CT Comprehensive School Counseling Frameworks. * Ability to work with the School Counseling Department and Administration to ensure a successful implementation of a Comprehensive School Counseling Program that meets the needs of all students. * Demonstrate knowledge and expertise of best practices and methodologies in school counseling that are aligned with the state and national standards. * Ability to organize a department in a manner that meets the needs of the student population. * Experience with varied assessments and data collection to inform the comprehensive school counseling program; data disaggregation and data-driven decision making. * Experience planning and implementing professional development. * Ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with administrators, staff, parents, students, and community members. * Effective, active listening, organizational and problem solving skills. * Excellent public relations skills. * Entry-level computer skills including Microsoft Office and Google Products. Supervisor: School Principal Hours/Time Requirements: 188 days per school year, 7 hours daily. Review SVFT bargaining unit contract for more information. Working Conditions: * Interaction among adolescents and colleagues * Repetitive hand motion, e.g., computer keyboard, typing, calculator, writing * Regular requirement to sit, stand, walk, read, hear, see, speak, reach, stretch with hands and arms, crouch, kneel, climb, and stoop * Frequent interruption of duties by staff, students, visitors and/or telephone * Occasional requirement to lift, carry, push and/or pulling various supplies and/or equipment up to a maximum of 20 pounds * Frequent responsibility for tasks requiring the use of executive functioning skills such as planning, organization, attention to detail, and task initiation. Responsibility Area #1: Instructional Support * Assists with and monitors with the systematic delivery of school counseling services (short term counseling, curriculum, small groups, individual planning, stakeholder programs) that are aligned with the CT Comprehensive School Counseling Framework (CCSCF) and the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Model for School Counseling. * Manages counselor caseload distribution to assure school counselors follow their students for the duration of the time students are enrolled and that students have access to a school counselor in the event their counselor is absent for an extended period of time. * Models and shares with all departments: current laws, research and best practices related to academic, social-emotional, and career development that improves student outcomes. * Integrates school counseling programs within the total educational curriculum of the school. * Advocates for the elimination of barriers to access and equity to a rigorous education for all students. * Assists school counselors in preparing and delivering school counseling curriculum that are aligned wo the CCSCF Student Standards to all students in all grades. * Uses student, program, and school-wide data (i.e., climate, discipline, attendance, needs assessments, etc.) to monitor student progress, evaluate the framework and adjust CCSCF programming to improve student outcomes. * Assists with identifying professional development needs of the department to support counselor professional growth. * Introduces and supports the use of instructional technology in school counseling programming and curriculum. Responsibility Area #2: Leadership * Assures the School Counseling Department is following the ethical guidelines as outlined by ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors. * Plans and leads PLCs within the department, with other departments, and with administration. * Assists in the school's implementation of district and school initiatives as appropriate to promote success for all students. * Communicates and serves as a liaison between the department, administration, and Central Office * Adheres to procedures set forth by Central Office. * Serves on committees as department representative when requested. * Consults on cases with school faculty, administration, families, student support personnel, other school counselors, and community agencies as necessary. * Advocates for student's needs based on school and district data. * Advocates for equity in policies and procedures that have an impact on students * Advocates for policies supporting equitable access to school counseling services for all students. Responsibility Area #3: Operational * Manages departmental budgets, prepares and submits OF-95s. * Assists in the student course selectin process. * Assures school counseling records are kept in accordance with state and federal laws, and with ethical standards. * Assures all school counselors keep appropriate student documentation (i.e., grades, remediation plans, credit information) in student files and that parent/student contacts are documented. * Maintains and submits department records, student data reports, and PLC minutes. * Assists building administration and Central Office with recruitment and retention events as appropriate. INTERNAL CANDIDATES ONLY Closing date is September 11, 2024 Internal Candidates who are eligible for transfer/promotion must submit a transfer/promotion request form by the closing date. The form can be accessed by clicking the following link: https://www.cttech.org/transfer/