The posting
Esperanza Cyber Charter School (ECCS) is located in North Philadelphia and is seeking mission-driven Guidance Counselor applicants. The ideal candidate will align with ECCS’s mission and enthusiasm for an excellent and equitable educational experience for all students.
Esperanza Cyber Charter School Mission
Esperanza Cyber Charter School (ECCS) prepares students in grades first through 12 to meet the challenges of living creatively and productively in an increasingly technologically sophisticated and interconnected world. ECCS will provide students with an academically rigorous yet flexible online learning program that tailors learning experiences to each child through curriculum choices and virtual and in-person tutoring and counseling. ECCS targets underserved and at-risk students who have not always found success in traditional schools. ECCS places students on a pathway to post-secondary success.
The Student Support / Social-Emotional Guidance Counselor provides comprehensive social-emotional, behavioral, crisis, and supportive services to students. This position focuses on identifying and addressing barriers that impact students' ability to attend school, feel safe, engage in learning, and successfully participate in the school community.
The counselor serves as a primary resource for students experiencing emotional, behavioral, family, housing, pregnancy/parenting, safety, trauma, or other significant life challenges. The position works collaboratively with students, families, school staff, administrators, community agencies, and outside service providers to connect students with appropriate supports and resources.
This position will have a particular emphasis on student wellness, crisis response, suicide prevention, mandated reporting, homeless and housing support, pregnant and parenting students, bullying prevention, trauma-informed support, and monitoring student safety and well-being.
BENEFITS:
- Ability to work 2 days a week from home
- Technology provided
- Professional Development
- Training for the cyber environment
- Paid time off
- 403b contribution matching
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Life and disability insurance
- Flexible spending account
- Tuition Reimbursement
QUALIFICATIONS:
- A passion for education and a belief that your zip code does not dictate your destiny.
- Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree in Education or School Counseling
- PA teaching certificate: School or Guidance Counselor
- Bilingual (Spanish and English) preferred
- Minimum of two years of experience in an urban setting with high percentages of ELD and SPED students.
- Best practices for online teaching and learning and digital curriculum development
- Ability to communicate well in a group/team environment
- Ability to craft well-written, data-rich reports
- Able to build relationships with students and families
Student Social-Emotional Support
- Provide individual and small-group counseling and support focused on students' social-emotional and behavioral needs.
- Develop supportive relationships with students and serve as a trusted adult and advocate within the school.
- Identify students experiencing emotional distress, trauma, family challenges, behavioral concerns, or other barriers to school engagement.
- Conduct appropriate student check-ins and wellness assessments.
- Assist students in developing coping skills, self-advocacy skills, conflict-resolution strategies, and healthy decision-making skills.
- Provide short-term intervention and support, and make referrals to appropriate school-based or community-based services when needs exceed the scope of the position.
- Maintain appropriate documentation of student contacts, interventions, referrals, and follow-up.
- Collaborate with teachers, administrators, families, and support personnel to develop appropriate interventions for students experiencing social-emotional or behavioral challenges.
- Support the development and implementation of student support plans when appropriate.
Crisis Intervention and Student Safety
- Serve as a primary school-based resource for students experiencing emotional or personal crises.
- Respond appropriately to concerns involving suicidal ideation, self-harm, threats, abuse, neglect, bullying, harassment, violence, or other student safety concerns.
- Coordinate and document suicide prevention, intervention, and follow-up procedures in accordance with school policies and applicable laws.
- Monitor and respond to reports received through Gaggle and other student safety-monitoring systems.
- Manage or coordinate referrals and follow-up associated with Safe2Say Something reports.
- Participate in crisis response teams and other school safety initiatives.
- Provide appropriate follow-up with students following a crisis, safety concern, hospitalization, or other significant event.
- Collaborate with parents/guardians, administrators, mental health providers, emergency services, and other appropriate agencies when student safety requires additional intervention.
- Follow all applicable mandated reporting requirements and school policies.
- Maintain confidentiality while recognizing and acting upon circumstances in which information must be shared to protect student safety.
Homeless and Housing Support
- Serve as a school-based resource and advocate for students experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
- Assist in identifying students and families who may qualify for support under applicable federal, state, or local requirements.
- Coordinate with the appropriate school personnel and community agencies to connect students and families with housing, transportation, food, clothing, medical, mental health, and other available resources.
- Assist students experiencing housing instability with maintaining school enrollment, attendance, and access to educational services.
- Maintain appropriate documentation and follow-up regarding identified students and services provided.
- Establish relationships with community organizations and service providers that can assist students and families experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity.
Support for Pregnant and Parenting Students
- Serve as a primary support and resource for pregnant and parenting students.
- Help identify barriers that may affect attendance, academic engagement, health, or continued enrollment.
- Connect students and families with appropriate medical, mental health, childcare, parenting, and community resources.
- Coordinate with school staff to support appropriate educational access and successful school participation.
- Provide regular check-ins and follow-up with pregnant and parenting students.
- Maintain appropriate confidentiality and documentation while ensuring required school procedures are followed.
At-Risk Student Support
- Assist with the identification, intervention, and ongoing monitoring of students who are considered at risk due to attendance, behavioral, social-emotional, family, safety, or other concerns.
- Participate in the Student Assistance Program (SAP) and other student-support processes.
- Coordinate appropriate interventions and referrals based on individual student needs.
- Monitor student progress following interventions and referrals.
- Collaborate with school staff and families to identify barriers and develop appropriate support strategies.
- Participate in multidisciplinary meetings concerning students requiring additional support.
Family and Community Engagement
- Establish positive, respectful, and culturally responsive relationships with students and families.
- Communicate with parents/guardians regarding student social-emotional needs, concerns, interventions, and available resources.
- Assist families in navigating school and community resources.
- Develop and maintain relationships with community mental health providers, social service agencies, healthcare providers, housing agencies, and other organizations serving students and families.
- Coordinate referrals to outside providers and follow up as appropriate.
- Advocate for students and families when additional resources or services are needed.
School Programs and Compliance
- Establish and maintain compliance with applicable local, state, and federal requirements related to student support and safety.
- Support school programs and initiatives related to: Suicide prevention and intervention Self-harm prevention Safe2Say Something Gaggle/student safety monitoring Mandated reporting Homeless and housing-insecure students Pregnant and parenting students Crisis and trauma response Drug and alcohol prevention/intervention Bullying and harassment prevention Mental health awareness At-Risk student identification and intervention Student Assistance Program (SAP) Other student wellness and safety initiatives
- Assist with the development, implementation, and evaluation of policies and procedures related to student wellness and safety.
- Maintain accurate and confidential records in accordance with school policies and applicable laws.
Collaboration and School Leadership
- Serve as a resource to teachers, administrators, and school staff regarding student social-emotional, behavioral, and safety concerns.
- Provide consultation to staff regarding appropriate responses to student needs.
- Participate in IEP, ESL, SAP, At-Risk, crisis response, and other student-support meetings as appropriate.
- Collaborate with school leadership to identify trends and emerging student needs.
- Assist in developing school-wide strategies that promote student well-being, belonging, safety, and positive school culture.
- Provide or coordinate staff training related to student wellness, crisis response, suicide prevention, trauma-informed practices, mandated reporting, and other relevant topics.
- Participate in school activities and initiatives that promote positive relationships and a supportive school community.
Student Wellness Programming
- Assist in developing and implementing age-appropriate social-emotional and wellness programming.
- Support classroom and school-wide initiatives related to mental health, coping skills, conflict resolution, healthy relationships, bullying prevention, substance-use prevention, and personal safety.
- Coordinate student wellness activities, support groups, workshops, and awareness initiatives as appropriate.
- Help identify gaps in student support services and recommend additional resources or programming.
Professional Responsibilities
- Maintain professional boundaries and ethical standards appropriate to school-based counseling and student support.
- Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential records.
- Participate in required professional development and maintain appropriate credentials, certifications, and training.
- Remain knowledgeable about current best practices in school-based counseling, trauma-informed care, suicide prevention, crisis intervention, and student support services.
- Perform other duties related to student support, safety, wellness, and school programs as assigned by school administration.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in counseling, social work, psychology, human services, school counseling, or a related field, as appropriate to the position and applicable requirements.
- Experience working with children or adolescents in a school, counseling, social service, mental health, or related setting is preferred.
- Knowledge and experience in social-emotional support, crisis intervention, trauma-informed practices, and community resource coordination.
- Experience working with students and families experiencing homelessness, housing instability, pregnancy/parenting, mental health concerns, or other significant barriers preferred.
- Strong communication, interpersonal, organizational, and crisis-management skills.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment.
- Ability to work collaboratively with students, families, educators, administrators, and community agencies.
- Current training/certification in required areas such as mandated reporting, suicide prevention, and other school-required safety programs.
- Ability to respond appropriately and calmly in crisis situations.
SKILLS:
- Communicate effectively and maintain strong relationships with students, families, and colleagues.
- Commitment to supporting and empowering students with diverse backgrounds, including an understanding of at-risk children, gifted children, and children with disabilities
- Possess effective decision-making, managerial, communication, and organizational skills
All applicants must have current FBI fingerprints, PA Criminal, and Child Abuse background checks, as well as the appropriate instructional certification.
