College and Career Counselor

College and Career Counselor

The Portage School of Leaders

Job Title: College and Career Counselor

Job Classification: Licensed Instructional

Reports to: Head of School The Portage School of Leaders

Work Schedule: Calendar Year / Times TBD by Direct Supervisor

The Portage School of Leaders seeks a College and Career Counselor for the 2025-2026 year. The ideal candidate will be interested in designing academic records that showcase student learning and durable skills more effectively than traditional transcripts and will be committed to supporting students in being prepared for postsecondary opportunities.

General Description:

The College and Career Counselor at the Portage School of Leaders plays a vital role in guiding students toward their postsecondary goals and helping them navigate pathways that align with their interests and aspirations. This position supports the schools mission by designing innovative academic records that reflect student learning and durable skills; they also foster connections with colleges career programs and community resources. With a focus on personalized support and advocacy the counselor collaborates across departments to ensure students are prepared for meaningful contributions to college career and life.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of bachelors degree in appropriate field of study
• Preference will be given to candidates with relevant experience.

Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and coordinate college and career plans for all students at the Portage School of Leaders; Spearhead reporting of academic records to colleges and universities
• Advocate for our approach to learning records assessment and reporting at the local regional and national level; leverage partnerships with the Mastery Transcript Consortium
• Support our team by becoming a power-user of PowerSchool Headrush and the Mastery Transcript Learning Record and other learning and student information systems
• Alongside the Academic Lead construct and design course schedules and graduation plans
• Navigate the new Indiana diploma requirements in an innovative learning environment; support students who choose to be early adopters of the new diploma requirements
• Co-design and update student transcripts and academic records including our academic transcripts (which use a standards-based assessment and 4-point scale) and our competency-based learning record (which use a portfolio method and draw from our Portrait of a Leader)
• Connect students with college preparation resources and spearhead partnerships with programs like 21st Century Scholars Trio Programming etc.
• Connects and communicates with parents/caregivers about postsecondary preparation and admissions
• In partnership with the Academic Lead Work-Based Learning Coordinators and teammates in the Career & Technical Education (CTE) department coordinate the management of dual-enrollment/dual-credit work certifications and other credentials of value for students
• Organize and maintain a system for accurate and complete record-keeping and reporting for all student activities achievement attendance test data IEPs and other data as required by district procedures applicable laws and/or the Head of School
• Partner with students and parents/caregivers communicate effectively with students and parents and encourage parental involvement in students education and graduation plans
• Support the administration of standardized tests in accordance with district testing programs and use of testing feedback
• Collaborates with colleagues on interdisciplinary project-based learning that inculcates students in the Portrait of a Leader and related competencies and essential skills
• Serve on committees as assigned by the Head of School
• Keep student parent and family information confidential
• Adhere to School Board policies Corporation policies and procedures and building guidelines

Serves as a Wayfinder (Advisor) to a group of approximately fifteen students.

School Activities

• The College and Career Counselor is required to attend and/or participate in such other activities as directed by the Head of School such as: faculty meetings (before or after school hours) open houses commencement exercises chaperone student activities provide guidance for students participate on faculty committees study and help resolve school problems

Essential Skills and Abilities

• Competency in the administration and interpretation of academic ability testing
• Ability to use technology for documentation and preparation of professional materials
• Ability to teach and assist students in the use of computer applications
• Ability to communicate assessment results in written and oral forms to parents and professionals
• Ability to develop implement and evaluate behavior plans for use in general and special education settings
• Ability to prioritize tasks allocate time and maintain schedule flexibility

About the Portage School of Leaders

At the Portage School of Leaders we emphasize a competency-based education promoting durable interdisciplinary skills alongside content mastery. Teachers here prioritize deeper learning differentiated instruction and academic and personal growth. Located in a stunning state-of-the-art facility in downtown South Bend the Portage School is designed for collaboration connection and creation and our relationship-focused environment encourages student agency fosters wonder and helps students develop skills for life and a passion for lifelong learning.

Please visit our website at or reach out to our Head of School Dr. Andrew Hoyt () for further information.