School Counselor (200 Days)

Position Title: School Counselor, Secondary Level
Department: School

SUMMARY:
Provides appropriate services to all secondary students which will enable each student to achieve optimally and assists students in preventing and/or coping with problems or concerns which interfere with academic achievement and appropriate behavior.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develops and initiates a plan for identifying guidance needs of students.
• Develops, implements and updates a written guideline-by-objectives plan based on the needs of students.
• Assists school staff in implementing activities to meet students’ needs and interests; such as a substance use and abuse, work ethics, career education.
• Supports the development of a career information center in the school.
• Facilitates the development of a comprehensive career education program.
• Utilizes community resources to help students explore career interests and provide information to help them make decision.
• Conducts group guidance sessions on topics such as study skills, communication skills, interpersonal skills, and decision-making.
• Initiates individual or group conferences with new student and parents to explain and encourage use of counseling services along with an orientation to the school.
• Provides appropriate counseling for students who show evidence of personal and social problems.
• Assists students in developing skills for preventing and/or resolving problems.
• Helps students to take a realistic look at their abilities, interests, life goals, and values.
• Assists students in becoming aware of their academic potential and to develop motivation for optimum achievement.
• Assists in proper placement of students.
• Provides in-service for teachers in areas of communication skills, self-concept, classroom behavior management, parent conferences, and intra-school relationships.
• Assists in making effective use of test data.
• Provides appropriate guidance materials to teachers for classroom/reference use.
• Assists teachers in developing a plan to incorporate responsible student behavior.
• Facilitates referrals to appropriate services or agencies.
• Provides parenting information through conferences and/or study groups.
• Assists in promoting effective communication among parents, community, and school personnel.
• Keeps informed of current publications, materials, and guidance information.
• Submits to principal a budget for guidance materials needed in the program.
• Maintains working schedule to include 30 minutes before school begins and 30 minutes after school to be available to students and teachers.
• Assists with monitoring student records for completeness and accuracy.
• Participates in activities to insure program articulation among schools.
• Performs other duties as may be assigned by the principal.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:
Master of Education degree in counseling, counselor endorsement.

Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board may find appropriate and acceptable.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:
Valid South Carolina Teaching Certificate in secondary counseling.

Counselor should have a CDF or GCDF credential within one year of the hire date.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:
Ability to read, analyze and interpret professional journals, technical procedures and instructional manuals. Ability to design and write professional development plans, reports and data entry procedures. Ability to effectively present professional development and training and respond to questions from groups of educators, trainees, media, administrators and organization members.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in units of measurement, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference and in the display and interpretation of data. Ability to apply basic concepts of statistical analysis, fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

REASONING ABILITY:
Ability to interpret and carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form. Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to analyze information and use logic to address work related issues and problems.

Ability to identify student adjustment and/or academic problems, provide counseling and/or recommend appropriate remedial action to parents. Ability to supervise students and maintain order in various classroom and instructional activities and situations.

OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES:
Ability to perform duties with awareness of all district requirements and Board of Education policies.

Ability to operate a personal computer and related software. Knowledge in the methods for developing lesson plans and materials, and classroom activities which stimulate learning. Ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory to instructional program; ability to plan and implement lessons based on division and school objectives and the needs and abilities of students to whom assigned.

Ability to develop effective working relationships with students, parents, and the school community. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Ability to develop effective working relationships with staff and district employees. Ability to implement a flexible work schedule to meet the reporting deadlines. Proficiency with Microsoft applications such as Excel, Word, and PowerPoint required. Ability to perform duties with a high level of detail and accuracy. Ability to self-monitor and manage multiple tasks while working individually and with members of a group.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee will occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds such as boxes of materials. The employee will sometimes push/pull items such as furniture or boxes of materials.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, listen and/or reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision. Some driving required. Duties of the job require frequent use of a computer monitor and related equipment.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Office environment with limited exposure to environmental conditions. The noise level in this environment is quiet to loud depending upon the activity in the particular part of the day. Frequent interruptions and immediate attention to unexpected situations are expected.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:
Determined by allocations
Teacher Pay Scale

The terms of employment detailed in this job description are based on full time employment during the school year. Conditions of employment adjusted for part time employees or individuals who are hired for less than an entire school year.

EVALUATION:
Performance of this job evaluated annually according to Board Policy.

DISCLAIMER STATEMENT:
The information contained in this job-description is for compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.