Counselor

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were written out in this job description.

GRPS MISSION: Our mission is to ensure that all students are educated, self-directed and productive members of society.

School Counselor

Department: Community and Student Affairs

Bargaining Unit: Grand Rapids Education Association (GREA)

Salary: Determine by the collective bargaining agreement and a comprehensive benefits package

JOB SUMMARY

As a member of the instructional team, the counselor provides a comprehensive guidance program for students in grades 9-12. The counselor also provides activities to meet the needs of the students, consults with teachers, staff, parents, and post-secondary institutions to enhance their effectiveness in helping students become college and/or career ready.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Essential functions under the Americans with Disabilities Act may include any of the following duties, knowledge, and skills. This list is illustrative only and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by employees in this position. Regular on time and in person attendance is an essential function of this job. Other essential functions may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Implement the Michigan Comprehensive Guidance and Counseling Program.
• Guide and counsel groups and individual students through the development of educational development plans.
• Counsel small groups and individual students concerning relevant and current issues.
• Consult with teaching faculty, staff, and parents regarding the developmental needs of students.
• Refer students as needed to appropriate community resources in consultation with their parents.
• Participate in, coordinate, or conduct activities which contribute to the effective operation of the school.
• Evaluate and revise the building monthly guidance audits as needed with counselor coordinators and principal’s approval.
• Assist in the transition of students from elementary to middle school, middle school to high school, and high school to post-secondary education or vocational education.
• Pursue professional growth.
• Participate as a member of the school’s “Wheel” of support for students including having an identified caseload of students.
• Collect required data on students being served.
• Work with teachers, the Dean of Accountability, and other support groups for students as needed.
• Keep a weekly log and/or plan of activities as part of documentation for the school improvement plan.
• Collects, organizes, and analyzes information about individual students through records, tests, interviews, and professional sources, to appraise their interests, aptitudes, abilities, personality characteristics, to assist those students and their parents with vocational and educational planning.
• Assist students and families with the high school course selection process according to state requirements and scheduling students into courses.
• Assist with the building of the school’s master schedule.
• Other responsibilities as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

• Master’s Degree in school counseling is required.
• Current or valid Michigan Counseling License is required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Professional experience at the secondary level is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrated understanding of district and state graduation requirements
• Demonstrated understanding of the ASCA school model
• Demonstrated ability to work with students/parents in a large urban district.
• Demonstrated respect for confidentiality.
• Demonstrated excellent computer skills (MS Office)
• Demonstrated excellent communication skills.
• Knowledge and understanding of facilitating small or large guidance groups.
• Demonstrated ability to work as a member of the team.
• Demonstrated ability to problem solve.

ADA REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands, work environment factors, and mental functions described below 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.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, talk, and hear (in a quiet or noisy environment). The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust/focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

MENTAL FUNCTIONS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to compare, analyze, communicate both orally and in writing, copy, coordinate, instruct, compute, synthesize, evaluate, use interpersonal skills, compile, and negotiate.

Non-Discrimination

The Grand Rapids Public Schools will not discriminate against any person based on race, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, height, weight, color, religion, national origin, age, marital status, pregnancy, disability, veteran, or military status.

Americans with Disabilities Act accommodations: Assistance with the application process may be requested through the Human Resources Department at (616) 819-2022 or humanresources@grps.org.