Department Chair School Counselor

BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

JOB TITLE: Department Chair School Counselor - 12-MONTH - Ridgely Middle

REPORTS TO: School Principal

DEFINITION: Serves as a coach and leader for teachers as they implement instruction. Under the direction of the school principal, plans and provides appropriate learning experiences for students. Instructs and supervises students in a variety of school-related settings. Monitors and evaluates student outcomes using multiple data sources. Acts as a liaison between the school building and curriculum office(s). Develops and provides relevant professional development. Performs other duties as assigned.

Department Chair positions are selected and renewed on a year to year basis.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Meets and instructs assigned classes at designated locations and times. Maintains a safe and orderly learning environment.
• Plans and implements instructional programs that adhere to system wide goals and priorities and meet the needs, interests, and abilities of students.
• Prepares and documents appropriate lesson plans, based upon adopted curricula, to teach instructional objectives.
• Creates an instructional environment that is conducive to the intellectual, physical, social, and emotional development of students.
• Communicates standards, achievements, and deficiencies to students and parents. Meets with students and parents.
• Maintains complete and accurate student academic, attendance, and disciplinary records. Monitors and assesses students’ academic progress.
• Oversees the appropriate use and care of textbooks, instructional materials, facilities, and equipment.
• Collaborates with school administrators, other teachers, paraeducators, parents, and community members in the education of students.

Department Chair Duties:

• Serves as an instructional leader in implementing, coordinating, and overseeing curriculum. Serves as a liaison between the school building and curriculum office(s).
• Serves as a coach for teachers as they implement instruction. Provides leadership in preparation for Maryland state testing programs.
• Build trusting relationships with teachers to allow for engaging conversation, reflection, and inquiry around teaching practices while recognizing that listening and learning are the keys to developing a successful coaching relationship.
• Acts as a content and pedagogical expert in the observation process and/or works collaboratively with the content expert or curriculum office(s) to provide support.
• Assists teachers in analyzing multiple sources of student data and designing differentiated instructional programs to meet the needs of all students.
• Oversees and ensures that appropriate documentation is accurately maintained in compliance with guidelines for the content area(s).
• Serves as a change agent who promotes and fosters a professional learning culture grounded in adult learning theory and research based instructional strategies. Assists to determine, develop, and provide relevant professional development.
• Collaborates to ensure that work is aligned to the School Progress Plan and the Superintendent’s priority areas.
• Works with the department budget and facilitates requests for needed supplies. Manages and maintains inventory to ensure materials are available for instruction.
• Attends ongoing content and leadership training, which may be held after school hours. Attends staff meetings. Serves on various committees.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education, Training, and Experience:

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in an applicable field.
• Three years effective and verified teaching experience (within or outside of BCPS) to include specialized areas such as guidance, speech pathologist, psychologist, PPW, etc.).

Licenses and Certificates:

• Possession of, or eligibility for, a Maryland Certificate commensurate to the position.
• Advanced Professional Maryland Certificate and requisite course content required for an endorsement in the subject field.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of pedagogy. Knowledge of curriculum. Knowledge of effective instructional techniques. Knowledge of instructional materials and equipment.
• Knowledge of current issues and trends in content area. Skill in instructing students. Skill in preparing and implementing lesson plans.
• Skill in communicating with students, their parents, administrators, and others.
• Coursework and/or experience which supports knowledge of curriculum development and supervision. Demonstrated expertise in appropriate content area.
• Technology competency. Knowledge of and skill in the use of database, internet, spreadsheet, word processing, and related applications.
• Outstanding communication, leadership and organizational skills.
• Ability to implement and model effective instructional strategies in the classroom.

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:
The work of this class is generally performed in a school environment. Work may require the ability to move around the school and classroom.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
Requires attendance at after-school and evening meetings and events.

Eligible for membership in the Maryland State Retirement Agency.

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

This document describes the duties and responsibilities of a position. It shall not be held to exclude duties not referenced nor limit the right of management to assign work to employees.

Citizenship, residency or work VISA in United States required

Application Instructions
Please read and carefully follow the instructions provided below.

• Applicants are required to have a completed application on file for employment with the Baltimore County Public Schools, and a separate completed application must be submitted for each position and location in which you are interested.
• Professional references must be submitted to complete your application. Examples of professional references include current and former principals, supervisors, managers, mentor teachers and university/college supervisors. Personal references from colleagues, friends, community members, etc will not be accepted.
• Be sure to account for all periods of employment and unemployment, including student teaching and internship experience, and include names, addresses, and telephone numbers of employers.
• Be sure to answer all criminal background questions. If you answer "yes" to any of the criminal background questions you must provide a written explanation. A criminal offense does not necessarily exclude an applicant from employment with BCPS. Factors such as passage of time since the offense, the nature of the violation, and the extent of rehabilitation will be taken into consideration.

Before you can be considered for employment, you MUST have the following items attached to your application:

• A copy of your TEACHER CERTIFICATION (if applicable)
• A copy of your TRANSCRIPTS
• A copy of your PRAXIS or other state test scores
• A copy of your MARYLAND IN-SERVICE COURSE SLIPS (if applicable)

Pre-Employment Requirements:

• All persons employed by the Baltimore County Public Schools, regular and temporary, are required to be fingerprinted and have a criminal background investigation (State of Maryland, Senate Bill 315, effective October 1, 1986) completed. The fee charged for fingerprinting is $109.00. An identification card will be issued which must be shown prior to employment.
• Anyone offered employment is required to provide proper identification and documentation of eligibility for employment in the US.
• If you have military experience you will be asked to provide a copy of DD214.
• Official transcripts for all higher education must be received prior to contract signing.
• Some positions will require employees to undergo a physical examination and/or drug testing.
• All newly hired personnel must attend a Badges and Benefits session.
• Additional job verification will be required for salary credit.

Non-Discrimination Statement:
The Board of Education of Baltimore County does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability, or veteran status in matters affecting employment or in providing access to educational programs or activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Inquiries regarding the Board’s nondiscrimination policies should be directed to: EEO Officer, Office of Equal Employment Opportunity, Baltimore County Public Schools, 6901 Charles Street, Building B, Towson, Maryland 21204 (443-809-8937). There is a compliance officer responsible for identifying, preventing, and remedying prohibited harassment concerning students. Complaints of harassment should be directed to the executive director, Department of School Safety and Security, 9600 Pulaski Park Drive, Suite 118, Baltimore, MD 21220 (443-809-4360).

Contact Information:
Wendy Gigler
Secondary Staffing Team
6901 Charles Street, E Building
Towson, Maryland 21204
Phone: 443-809-6009
Email: wgigler@bcps.org