High School Counselor

Mission Statement

Through the use of social and restorative justice principles, Five Keys provides traditionally underserved communities the opportunity to improve their lives through a focus on the Five Keys: EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT, RECOVERY, FAMILY, COMMUNITY.

Five Keys Overview

Five Keys is a nonprofit organization that operates an extensive network of programs across California. With a presence in 14 counties and over 120 locations, Five Keys focuses on various initiatives aimed at empowering individuals and families to overcome poverty and inequity. The organizations programs encompass a wide range of services, including public charter schools, restorative justice programs in jails and prisons, shelters, permanent supportive housing, and the development of new housing and support programs. At Five Keys, the overarching objective is to uplift individuals and families by providing them with essential resources. This includes education, housing, employment, and the necessary tools to sustain their progress. By offering these fundamental elements, the organization aims to create positive and lasting change in communities, making them better places for everyone.

Our Core Competencies

A well qualified candidate has the capacity to communicate effectively, collaborate with others while building positive relationships, demonstrates strong problem solving skills, has a dynamic learning mindset, and remains committed to a high level of cultural and social awareness. A successful candidate will work well under pressure, observe appropriate boundaries and operate with a high degree of emotional intelligence.

What it's really like to join our agency…

At Five Keys, culture matters. Culture is at the very core of everything we do and impact on a daily basis. We've made a commitment to building an inclusive culture that seeks collaboration over hierarchy to create empowered work teams. We serve vulnerable populations daily and we strive to approach everyone with compassion, patience and a trauma informed approach. We choose to push past discomfort to have difficult conversations to impact the greater good. This allows us the opportunity to collaboratively create an inclusive culture and transform the world around us.

BENEFITS

We offer very low monthly costs for medical insurance! Dental, vision and life insurance premiums paid by Five Keys and various pre-tax flexible spending accounts and retirement account 403b. Generous time off. Annual reimbursement up to $100 towards gym membership, smoking cessation and weight loss programs. Annual reimbursement up to $50 towards annual athletic event participation and annual massage after 6 months of employment. FREE access to wellness-related apps, Employee Assistance Program and a comprehensive mental health care platform for you and your dependents.

JOB SUMMARY

The High School Counselor position reports to the Chief Academic Officer and is accountable for providing a comprehensive academic and counseling program designed to address the educational, social, emotional and occupational needs of all students. The High School Counselor will work in coordination with the site teachers and principals to guide and counsel individuals and groups of students through the development of educational and career plans.

We are looking for someone who insists on maintaining a positive attitude and enjoys supporting a diverse group of people. This job is for you if you will support the Five Keys mission by creating a work environment of mutual respect and fairness, while encouraging creative and critical thinking through an equity lens. In addition, you will contribute to our appreciation of diversity and foster a climate of multicultural understanding.

This position supports the Five Keys Alameda Academic Programs, plus multiple sites and counties throughout the NorCal region; hours may vary from 7am - 8pm.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Advises and counsels students regarding academic, educational, and career planning
• Ensure all prospective students have been assessed prior to placement to appropriate credentialed teacher
• Collaboration with student and teacher to complete Master ISP Agreement
• Assists online students with account activation
• Provides individual student planning and responsive services to support students and their families regarding academic matters
• Consults, facilitates, and maintains communication with parents, teachers, principals, administrators, and pertinent agents on specific student and parent academic and educational matters including academic modifications and/or accommodations
• Collaborates with the attendance team to assure students are attending classes regularly and participates in all intervention meetings on the students' behalf
• Participates on a Student Success Team, identifies students who may need targeted or intensive services, and coordinates with behavioral health specialists
• Teaches Academic classes and provides Academic counseling to students through planned activities in small group or classroom settings to convey educational, social, and important school information
• Provides feedback and recommends appropriate action and solutions to individual student's academic and educational needs and abilities
• Assists students/parents in understanding school policies and procedures
• Remains universally accessible and makes an effort to know every Canvas student for whom they are responsible

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Working familiarity with student assessment tools, especially in evaluating and interpreting standardized test results
• Advanced proficiency in MS Office, Google Workspace, and databases
• Knowledge of educational software

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE

• PPS credential required
• Teaching credential preferred
• BA/BS degree preferred or combination of education and experience
• Minimum 2 years of strong administrative experience, preferably in education

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• To promote the health and safety of its employees, those we serve and our local communities, Five Keys requires that all employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and/or adhere to all weekly testing and safety measures. Employees may also request and receive approval for an exemption from this policy. Exemptions are granted to accommodate a medical condition or sincerely held religious belief.
• Must wear provided PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and adhere to all safety guidelines and requirements, when needed
• Frequent talking and hearing conversations
• Long periods of walking, sitting at a desk and/or computer station
• Lifting items that weigh up to 25 lbs.; reaching, bending, carrying and stooping within the daily routine of tasks and activities

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

This position is contingent upon:

• Satisfactory results of a Live Scan (criminal background investigation)
• Successfully obtaining jail clearance for positions working in county jails or probation locations
• Submitting proof of clear TB results. Results dated within 60 days prior to hire date are acceptable

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Hybrid, must live in Northern or Southern California where Five Keys operates
• Must be willing and able to work in a correctional facility, travel throughout the area to community sites, and travel state-wide to various locations or meetings as needed
• Work environment varies from site to site
• Moderate to high noise level
• Some personal safety risk working in underserved communities

GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES

At Five Keys, we understand that when our employees grow, the agency has a greater capacity to thrive and accomplish its mission. It is for this reason that we remain committed to providing ongoing professional development opportunities for all of our employees. These include but are not limited to: conferences, staff development training, and coaching plans that allow incumbents to grow into new positions within and across programs within the agency (i.e., programs, schools, housing).