9th-10th Grade Counselor/ SGE Director

POSITION TITLE: 9th/10th Post-Secondary Counselor + SGE (Summer Growth Experiences) Director

REPORTS TO: MANAGING SCHOOL DIRECTOR

POSITION: The Soulsville Charter School, full-time regular exempt

As a CAST (College and Alumni Support Team) member, this person is responsible for curriculum
development of the Summer Growth Experience (SGE) Program. This person leads and manages the implementation of the SGE program for the entire High School. The SGE program is integral to HS students’ exposure and mindsets and requires an individual with a vision and detail-oriented approach to the program’s implementation. Along with leading our SGE program, this person will serve as the 9th & 10th grade student post-secondary counselor. These duties involve quarterly, in-person meetings with all 9th & 10th grade students along with their parents/guardians. These quarterly meetings will focus on cumulative GPAs, transcripts and post-secondary pathway options.

KEY RESULT AREAS:
College and Alumni Support Team
Summer Growth Experience (SGE) Director
9th & 10th Post-Secondary Counselor

SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE/ SKILLS

1. Commitment to the growth and development of young people and passion for helping students to reach their potential
2. Understanding of difficulties associated with transitioning from high school to college for TSCS’s students
3. Strategic thinker
4. Self-starter with strong entrepreneurial drive: takes initiative; comfortable operating in growth mode; can operate self-sufficiently, but also collaboratively as part of a team
5. Ability to design and build a program to meet specified goals
6. Strong knowledge of Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Google Drive with the ability to learn new software applications and systems
7. Excellent written and oral communication, planning, and organizational skills
8. Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to set expectations and follow up with coworkers
9. Ability to work urgently in a fast-paced and results-oriented environment
10. Ability to facilitate various size student groups using facilitative leadership skill
11. Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines under pressure
12. Ability to work independently and manage-up when needed

RESPONSIBILITIES:

College and Alumni Support CAST Member

1. Work with CAST (College and Alumni Support Team) to ensure that all strands of CAST (SGEs, Junior Seminar, Senior Seminar, and Alumni Support) are aligned with schools’ mission and the department’s vision and goals.
2. Participate in CAST department meetings and retreats
3. Oversee collection of SGE materials for 10th-12th in August; work with English teachers to collect materials and norm on the grading process
4. Oversee grading of August SGE materials
5. Plan and execute fall SGE meetings for highest academic performers in the 9th, 10th and 11th grades and their parents/guardians for competitive SGE programs (MS Squared, REACH Memphis, Governors School)
6. Oversee Governor’s School, MS Squared, and REACH Memphis Program application process in the fall
7. Plan and execute SGE advisory lessons for 9th-11th in the spring
8. Continuously update database of available SGEs
9. Work with advisors to manage flow of spring SGE process and help advisors match their advisees with potential

SGEs

1. Research and advertise year-round opportunities in the community in which students can participate (Bridge Builders, theater auditions, volunteer opportunities, etc)
2. Spearheads outreach to national programs and local community organizations to gather
   new, exciting opportunities for student 9th & 10th Post-Secondary Counselor
3. Works with the Managing School Director (MSD) & HS School Director to coordinate 9th & 10th grade individual meetings each quarter
4. Tracks all 9th & 10th individual meeting notes and shares with MSD, HS SD & CAST
5. Partners with HS LT to intervene with 9th & 10th graders at risk of course and/or grade level failure
6. Works with MSD to create four year graduation plans for all 9th & 10th grade students
7. Partners with CAST to facilitate rising 9th and 10th grad level and family meetings

Professional Practices

• Demonstrate trustworthiness in dealing in confidential student and family matters.
• Serve as appropriate role model for TSCS colleagues, students, staff, and parents.
• Engage in all TSCS meetings in a professional manner.

Characteristics and Other Qualifications:

• Commitment to The Soulsville Charter School and its values; an understanding of The Soulsville Charter
• School’s mission and unwavering commitment to fulfill it
• Commitment to TSCS’s organizational success
• Relentless commitment to high academic achievement and high expectations of all students.
• Entrepreneurial spirit
• High level of personal integrity and professionalism
• Bothered by things not going well
• Strong administrative background that reflects strong management and communication skills
• Strong leadership skills and a demonstrated capacity to work with urban youth
• Experience managing and leading adults
• Knowledge of public education and charter schools highly desirable but not required
• Experience in an educational setting preferred
• Knowledge of applicable federal and state regulations and statutes
• Ability to work well in a team and enhance cooperative working relationships
• Openness to feedback, a willingness to take personal responsibility for the affairs of the school, and the ability to learn from one’s mistakes
• Ambition and desire to grow as a leader
• Demonstrated strong written and verbal communication skills, including technical and persuasive writing and excellent customer service
• Ability to handle and prioritize multiple complex tasks within a deadline and with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail
• Excellent attention to detail and strong follow-through skills for completing projects
• A strong sense of protocol, tact, and diplomacy and ability to work well with a variety of people and personalities and a willingness to take and utilize constructive feedback
• Enthusiastic self motivation, the ability to motivate others, and little need for direct supervision
• An understanding of non-profit organizations, events, and especially youth development missions
• An appreciation of music and various musical styles
• Availability to work flexible hours, including some weekends and holidays
• Ability to stand or sit for long periods of time; ability to lift boxes weighing up to 25 lbs; ability to stoop and reach; ability to climb stairs
• Knowledge of computers and software program (i.e. Microsoft Office, especially Excel, and aptitude and willingness to learn new software programs through hands-on use and self study
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and be able to show proof of liability insurance coverage as required by the laws of the State of Tennessee
• Demonstrated ability to function as a “team player”

Tagged as: Business, High, Middle