Elementary School Counselor

  • Full-time

Company Description

Who We Are:

Wonderful College Prep Academy is a charter network in California's Central Valley committed to providing a world-class education for all students. The Academy's mission is to graduate students prepared to earn a college degree and to put them on a promising career path for life. We believe this begins with a nurturing, engaging, community-centered school environment where students develop a strong and well-rounded academic foundation. Ultimately, this will prepare generations of leaders in the Central Valley who are critical thinkers and life-long learners.

The Academy's first school opened in Delano in 2009, serving students from across the Central Valley in grades 6-12. In 2016, we moved to our new, state-of-the-art college prep campus in Delano, and in the Fall of 2017, added an elementary school in Delano and opened a second charter school in Lost Hills. In Delano, we serve over 1,800 students in grades TK-12, while in Lost Hills, we serve almost 400 students in grades K-9 and will grow to serve students through 12th grade over the next four years. Our fully equipped science labs and makers spaces ensure students engage in hands-on learning with access to state-of-the-art technology.

Our comprehensive art, music and athletic programs provide students with the opportunity to pursue passions outside of academics, and we prioritize health and wellness as a critical life skill from outdoor classes in learning gardens and our farm-to-table cafeterias, to our on-campus student health centers. The Academy aims to provide every opportunity for our students that often is not found in public or charter schools, including the ability to graduate from high school with a free Associate Degree. In addition, all graduates are eligible to earn a four-year renewable college scholarship through the generous support of Lynda and Stewart Resnick.

We seek thoughtful, inclusive, skilled communicators, and creative problem-solvers who value continuous learning and who are excited to serve our students and families. Now is the time to join a team making enduring change within the Central Valley of California and beyond.

Wonderful College Prep Academy has a unique partnership with the Wonderful Company. Click here to learn more about the Wonderful Company's other great philanthropic partnerships.

Job Description

THE ROLE:

Reporting to the Elementary Principal, the Counselor will provide school counseling to further the goals of academic achievement, vocational direction, and personal-social development. The counselor contributes to the achievement of these goals in ways that are appropriate and unique to him/her because of his/her position and special training. The principal goal of the counselor is to provide services that will enable the student to become aware of his own potential by utilizing his own resources as well as those of his environment so that he can maximize his efforts to become a more self-directed, fully functioning individual.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Works with students who are faced with decisions regarding school adjustment and achievement, the determination of long-range educational planning, the investigation of vocational pursuits, and effective personal-social adjustment.
  • Uses various preventive techniques, rather that punitive ones, to help students develop self-discipline. Assists staff and students in finding ways to change students’ behavior that is inconsistent with the goals of the school or the students’ own long-range goals.
  • Creates through group counseling and peer counseling a friendly atmosphere in which students may meet together and explore common problems and relationships.
  • Serves as a resource to the school’s I.A.P. in evaluating and up-dating the school’s curriculum.
  • Provides input into the curriculum to reflect student abilities and needs.
  • Understands and provides curriculum information to students. Schedules students into proper classes after consultation with parent and student, keeping in mind the student’s abilities and needs.
  • Inform students about promotion, graduation requirements, college entrance requirement, and entry-level job requirements.
  • Interprets standardized test scores to students, their parents, and staff members.
  • Arranges for special testing for students and for those students whose behavior and/or progress indicates a need for special diagnosis.
  • Disseminates information about and assists students with post-school opportunities.
  • Informs students about all available sources of scholarship and financial aid and encourages and assists them in obtaining all financial awards for which they are eligible.
  • Assists in providing for smooth transition between schools and levels of schools (elementary to junior high, junior high to high school, high school to college) by providing information regarding registration, program, and orientation.
  • Coordinates all information concerning an individual student for use by teachers, other staff members, parents, social welfare workers, probation agencies, and community agencies.
  • Refers students and parents, through the appropriate channels, to either outside agencies or specialized services within the school system.
  • Writes letters of recommendation as requested by the student to other institutions or to prospective employers.
  • Assist in improving unsatisfactory attendance and tardiness on the part of students by conferring with students and parents.
  • Assists in exploring alternative solutions for those students who may not succeed in the regular school program.
  • Other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Your contribution to Wonderful: 

  • Credential: Possession of a valid California Teaching Credential and services credential in a specialization in Pupil Personnel Services required
  • Experience: At least 2 years of demonstrated successful K-12 teaching experience as a fully credential teacher is preferred.
  • Education: Masters Degree in Counseling or related field from an accredited college or university.
  • COVID vaccination will be required for this position unless candidate has a legally valid exemption.

Additional Information

Working Conditions:

  • Environment: Office environment; fast paced work, constant interruptions.
  • Physical requirements: Hearing and speaking to exchange information, make presentations and communicate over the telephone; seeing to read, prepare, and proofread documents and view computer monitors; sitting or standing for extended periods of time; dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard and other office equipment; kneeling, bending at the waist, and reaching overhead, above the shoulders and horizontally, to retrieve and store files and supplies; lifting light objects; ability to go to sites apart from primary office to conduct business.

Wonderful's dedication to you:

  • Free access to the Wonderful Wellness Clinic
  • Free access to the Wonderful Fitness Center
  • Company-paid health/vision/dental for self
  • Voluntary 403b
  • Positions are bonus eligible

Quality of Life in the Central Valley:

Framed by the Sierra Nevada to the east and the Coast Ranges to the west, California's Central Valley is one of the world's most productive agricultural regions and the base of The Wonderful Company's agricultural operations. This vast area enjoys a moderate climate and offers residents a high quality of life, low cost of living, and a host of diverse cultural and recreational activities. From wine tasting and hiking to rafting, fishing, skiing, and surfing -- all within a two-hour drive -- the family-friendly Central Valley has much to offer.

Wonderful College Prep Academy is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics

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