DESIGNATED INSTRUCTIONAL SERVICES (DIS) COUNSELOR

The Organization

Camino Nuevo Charter Academy (CNCA) is a community of high-performing public schools that utilizes a comprehensive approach to prepare students from preschool through high school for success in college and in life. We integrate academic rigor, community, family, and wellness to empower students to thrive in a culturally connected and changing world. Founded in 2000, Camino Nuevo Charter Academy students represent the neighborhood of MacArthur Park west of downtown Los Angeles, a community that is one of the most under-resourced and densely populated neighborhoods in Los Angeles. Currently, CNCA has six campuses that serve approximately 3,500 students from TK through 12th grade.

Organizational Leadership Capacities

We believe that every individual who works on the Camino Nuevo Charter Academy School Leadership Team must embody key mindsets and possess foundational skills to contribute to the organizational leadership of the organization.

Mindsets

• Commitment to and belief in CNCA's mission and vision
• Belief in and embodiment the CNCA Anchors in all aspects of the work
• Commitment to the vision of a progressive, socially-just education and is able to inspire others towards that vision
• Solution orientation and belief in supporting others to be the same
• Commitment to an asset-based, capacity-building approach
• Commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion

Skills

• Ability to support an inclusive, positive and high performing culture
• Ability to take ownership in the day-to-day and overall success of the organization
• Ability to think critically, use sound judgment and problem solve
• Ability to work independently and proactively and to seek support and guidance when appropriate
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with an ability to prioritize competing projects in a fast-paced, fluid environment
• Effective collaboration with individuals at all levels of the organization
• Respect, humility and discretion to work effectively with all stakeholders, including colleagues, families and members of the community
• Strong self-awareness and ability to reflect

Intentions

• EXCELLENCE: You take responsibility for our students and staff achieving consistently outstanding results.
• EQUITY: You recognize and value the individuality and experiences of all students and respond to their unique academic, emotional, psychological, and social needs.
• COMMUNITY: You are rooted in our community's richness and in the cultural and environmental context where our students and families live.
• INNOVATION: You continuously learn, are curious, and implement new ideas, perspectives, and evidence-based methods in your work.
• JOY: You build and maintain positive relationships that foster happiness and fulfillment among students, staff and families.

The Opportunity

The Designated Instructional Services (DIS) Counselor, in partnership with the Home Support Office Special Education Team, supports the implementation of a socially just, research-based, innovative instructional approach across our Dynamic Blended Inclusion model to ensure success in CNCA's mission. The DIS Counselor works in partnership with the Content Team to support the overall development and implementation of a coherent horizontally and vertically aligned special education program. The DIS Counselor maintains knowledge of current research, best practices and trends on a national and state level to provide direction and guidance to team. Ultimately, the MSS works strategically at a systems level to implement structures and strategies to close the opportunity and achievement gap.

Essential Functions

Strategy and Vision Setting

• Serve as a member of the Content Team, contributing expertise on Special Education and staff to inform the overall vision and strategy of the Content Team and Special Education program
• Analyze and identify challenges that arise through the context of Special Education, and work with the Content team to inform and improve work
• Support the development and implementation of a data driven plan for Dynamic Blended Inclusion (DBI) in grades pre-K through 12

Administrative Management and Compliance Responsibilities

• Provide DIS-counseling for students TK-12 with IEPs
• Consult with school staff and parents regarding the behavioral, social, and emotional needs of students, and recommend appropriate support strategies.
• Collaborate with teachers, staff members, and/or outside service providers to share best practices and to improve one's own and others' instructional practices.
• Collaborate with community agencies and refer students and families to appropriate community resources as needed.
• Prepare IEP documents as needed including writing present levels of performance, creating appropriate goals, making recommendations for counseling services, and preparing quarterly progress reports.
• Participate in IEP meetings, Annual Reviews, Triennial Reviews, and any other necessary school meetings.
• Provide informal counseling services on an individual and group basis.
• Maintain a professional manner when working with students, staff, and parents/families via both oral and written communication.
• Serve as a member of the Crisis Response Team
• Provide Crisis Intervention Services to scholars as needed.
• Conduct risk assessments and threat assessments as necessary and mobilize appropriate support.
• Collaborate with teachers and staff to provide tiered social/emotional support in the classroom.
• Ensures tier 1, 2, and 3 supports are being appropriately implemented for all scholars.
• Support the development and implementation of social-emotional learning programs.
• Support the implementation of restorative practices across the campus.
• Maintains up to date, accurate, and confidential counseling files, including record keeping in Welligent
• Provide a safe learning environment for students.
• Other duties as assigned

Location:

Home Support Office/Itinerant-All Schools

Supervisor:

Lead Psychologist

Work Period:

Full Time, 12 Months, Exempt

Class:

Certificated

Direct Supervision:

N/A

NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT

Camino Nuevo Charter Academy (CNCA) prohibits discrimination, harassment, intimidation and bullying in educational programs, activities, or employment on the basis of actual or perceived ancestry, age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, parental, pregnancy, family or marital status, military status or association with a person or a group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. Camino Nuevo Charter Academy requires that school personnel take immediate steps to intervene when safe to do so when he or she witnesses an act of discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or bullying.

Questions or complaints of alleged discrimination, harassment, intimidation and bullying, equity or Title IX equity and compliance concerns should be directed to Margarita Domingo, Vice President of Human Resources. She can be reached at (213) 417-3410 or by mail at 3435 W Temple St. Los Angeles, CA 90026.