Academic Counselor

HomeLife Academy; Jackson (TN); Remote; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A premier homeschooling organization in Jackson, TN is seeking a Counselor to work directly with families. The role includes phone counseling, participation in events, and effective communication with the team. Candidates should have 5 years of homeschooling experience, strong communication skills, and proficiency in relevant tools. The position values adaptability and organizational skills, contributing positively to a remote work environment.

Qualifications

• 5 years of homeschooling experience required.
• Ability to work independently and finish tasks to completion.
• Knowledge of HLA and/or homeschooling is mandatory.

Responsibilities

• Provide phone counseling to homeschooling families.
• Participate in HLA-sponsored events and assist families.
• Communicate effectively with Counseling Leadership Team.

Skills

Excellent telephone and listening skills

Verbal/written communication skills

Customer service skills

Adaptability

Organizational skills

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Gmail

Slack

Microsoft Office

Job description

Description

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: This position will be working directly with the Counseling Team.

• Phone Counseling to help homeschooling families - all grade levels - all types/styles of families.
• Emails, Live Chat, Request Manager - Customer Service (as needed)
• Completing Transcript Reviews and helping families with messy transcripts, etc.
• Involved and/or connected in the homeschooling community.
• Knowledge of different curricula; different HLA paths; unschooling or out-of-box planning; etc.
• Comfortable on the phone and also enjoy task-related work and organization.
• Good communication and customer service skills.
• Critical thinking and problem solving skills.
• Someone that enjoys doing workshops or webinars is a big plus.
• Cross-training on tasks as needed.
• Keeping up to date on changes and following processes to complete tasks.
• Contributing ideas on new and better ways to make your job more efficient.
• Taking initiative to assist where needed.
• COMMUNICATION - staying connected and checking in is crucial to working remotely with HLA.

Participation in HLA-sponsored Events

Counselors shall attend and participate in HLA sponsored events as needed. This includes but is not limited to: curriculum fairs, staff meetings, and other HLA sponsored events. Counselors shall demonstrate interest in and actively participate in these activities. Counselors are expected to tend the booth, answer questions, assist families, and review any new curriculum at the fair.

Team Participation

The counselor shall work as a team player and communicate effectively with the staff, helping others and sharing resources in order to best serve others. Needs to communicate effectively with the Counseling Leadership Team concerning workload, trends noticed, etc. Counselors shall share knowledge gained, as well as knowledge of their specific area of responsibility, with other counselors and employees for the primary purpose of cross utilization of staff. Experienced, veteran counselors are expected to mentor and train new counselors.

Work Responsibility Initiative

Counselors think of ways to improve services, improve ministry to families, stay informed with changes in the homeschooling community, take on additional tasks as needed to better serve families and HLA. Finds the answers to questions and help determine solutions to difficult situations as they arise.

Individual Development Initiative

Proactively seeks knowledge in the operations within other departments, educating self on new developments within the homeschooling community and within HLA. Takes initiative to learn about the policies and procedures involving counseling of other age groups as well as your own area. Educating self when new questions arise and you do not know the answer. Counselors shall be trainable/moldable as HLA changes and as options in homeschooling change.

Requirements

• Education and/or Work Experience Requirements:
• Excellent telephone and listening skills are required for this position.
• Excellent verbal/written communication skills including ability to communicate well with families and staff.
• Computer proficiency - any of the following are a plus...Gmail, Slack, Microsoft Office especially Word and Excel
• Must be able to work under pressure, while maintaining a positive attitude and exemplary customer service.
• Ability to work independently and finish tasks to completion.
• Ability to adapt to change.
• Knowledge of HLA and/or homeschooling is mandatory.
• 5 years of homeschooling experience required.
• Organizational skills are a plus.
• High school diploma or equivalent.