The College & Career Readiness Counselor reports to the school's Director of College Counseling and provides comprehensive postsecondary planning support to students who are not on a college pathway at Uncommon Charter High School. Comparable to a traditional college counselor, this role is specifically designed to support students across all postsecondary pathways, including college, career training, and workforce readiness, through highly individualized, strengths-based counseling and instruction.
The College & Career Readiness Counselor teaches a College & Career Readiness course to all 11th- and 12th-grade students in the 15:1 program at UCHS to supports students in exploring their interests, identities, strengths, and goals, while building the academic, social-emotional, and practical skills needed to successfully transition to life after high school.
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Identify personal strengths, interests, and identities, and leverage internal and external supports to pursue postsecondary success.
- Analyze the world around them and articulate informed perspectives through the lens of their lived experiences and values.
- Communicate their academic, professional, and personal assets effectively in writing and in person.
- Evaluate postsecondary environments (college, training programs, careers) that align with their identity, goals, and sense of purpose.
- Understand the costs of postsecondary options and identify funding sources and financial supports.
- Identify the academic skills, credentials, and benchmarks required to access their chosen postsecondary pathway.
Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Teaching College & Career Readiness (35%)
Plan and deliver instruction for 15:1 classes, differentiating curriculum, pacing, and assessments to meet diverse learning needs and ensure access to grade-level and postsecondary-aligned content.
Expose students to a wide range of postsecondary options, including two- and four-year colleges, career training programs, and workforce pathways.
Use student data to tailor instruction and support skill development.
Create a joyful, inclusive classroom culture that promotes engagement, self-advocacy, and excellence.
Maintain accurate grades and attendance records in PowerSchool.
Individualized College & Career Counseling (35%)
Provide 1:1 counseling to support students in developing rigorous, realistic, and personalized postsecondary plans.
Partner with families/guardians through regular communication and individual meetings to support postsecondary decision-making.
Participate in 11th- and 12th-grade team meetings to monitor progress and coordinate targeted supports.
Attend and actively contribute to IEP meetings, with a focus on high-quality transition planning. Support students in aligning their Individualized Education Program (IEP) transition goals with Career Development and Occupational Studies (CDOS) requirements and postsecondary plans.
Collaborate closely with the Special Education Coordinator to align counseling supports with IEP transition goals.
Building and Maintaining Postsecondary & Career Connections (15%)
Plan, promote, and execute college visits, career exploration experiences, and postsecondary knowledge events for 11th and 12th graders (e.g. Progressive Pathways Fair)
Develop and maintain partnerships with external college, career, and workforce organizations to expand students’ access to meaningful postsecondary experiences
Administrative & Programmatic Responsibilities (15%)
Prepare, vet, and send transcripts and supporting documentation to colleges and career partners.
Coordinate and manage the school’s Career Development and Occupational Studies (CDOS) program, ensuring all eligible students meet requirements for credential attainment.
Monitor student progress toward graduation pathways, including CDOS and other diploma options, and intervene to ensure all students have a viable path to high school completion.
Maintain accurate documentation of CDOS hours, work-based learning experiences, and required artifacts in compliance with state guidelines.
Skills
- Postsecondary Advising Expertise: Ability to guide students across multiple pathways (2- and 4-year college, career training, workforce) with an emphasis on fit, access, and persistence.
- Transition Planning & IEP Alignment: Strong skill in supporting IEP-aligned transition goals, participating in meetings, and collaborating with special education teams.
- Differentiated Instruction: Ability to plan and deliver College & Career Readiness instruction tailored to diverse learning needs and cognitive profiles.
- Student & Family Partnership: Skilled at building trust with students and families through clear communication, coaching, and shared decision-making.
- Data-Informed Practice: Uses academic, attendance, and postsecondary data to inform instruction, counseling, and interventions.
- College, Career & Community Partnerships: Ability to cultivate and maintain relationships with colleges, training programs, and community-based organizations.
- Executive Function & Self-Advocacy Coaching: Supports students in goal-setting, organization, time management, and self-advocacy skills needed for postsecondary success.
- Systems & Compliance Management: Strong organizational skills to manage transcripts, documentation, graduation pathways, and state requirements.
- Cultural Competence & Asset-Based Mindset: Centers student identity, strengths, and aspirations while maintaining high expectations.
- Collaboration & Professional Judgment: Works effectively across academic, counseling, and special education teams to drive strong postsecondary outcomes."