Counselor, High School (LHS)

REPORTS TO:  Principal and Director of Student Development

DEPT./SCHOOL:  As Assigned  

WAGE HOUR/STATUS:  Exempt

PAY GRADE:  5

NO. OF DAYS:  217

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION:

1. Hold an appropriate Texas counselor’s certificate, or eligible for a permit for a counselor’s certificate
2. Certified at the level of assignment based on a Bachelor’s degree
3. Two years of successful classroom teaching experience
4. Ability to work well with a diverse population

QUALIFICATIONS:

Terms of Contract:  According to district approved calendar

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

     Communication: 

     Guidance Curriculum/Individual Planning/Responsive Services/System      Support  

1. Consistently exhibits effective communication skills when working with superiors, peers, parents, and students so that individuals have confidence in the counselor’s knowledge, concern, and competence. 
2. Interprets and shares information about student achievement and progress with parents, teachers, and other professional personnel.
3. Insures current 4-year plans for all students by scheduling and conducting conferences with parents and/or students, providing accurate information about course offerings, requirements, and suitability.
4. Coordinates a program of new student orientation, both at the beginning of school and for transfer students during the school year.
5. Promptly responds to parent and/or student inquiries through telephone or personal contact.
6. Conducts required classroom guidance activities. 

     Student Placement: 

     Individual Planning/Responsive Services 

1. Exhibits accurate knowledge of the school program and of ways in which specific student needs can and should be addressed through the program, insuring that the testing, scheduling, and placement of students is done in the most efficacious and appropriate manner. 
2. Coordinates all preregistration and scheduling activities at the campus level.
3. Certifies student eligibility for honors, awards, and other appropriate recognition.
4. Participates and contributes information for campus ARD meetings. 

     Information Services:

     System Support/Guidance Curriculum 

1. Ongoing data collection about students is efficiently conducted, student records are current and accurate, dissemination of information is planned and initiated, and request for information are honored quickly and efficiently. 
2. Supervises the maintenance of permanent records and transcripts for all students.
3. Disseminates materials about scholarships and other special student opportunities; supervises the completion of applications in a timely and accurate manner; writes letters of recommendation as requested and appropriate.
4. Provides requested information to other educational institutions or business establishments about current and/or former students.
5. Provides information to the public regarding guidance programs and activities.
6. Collects and disseminates guidance materials that are relevant to the educational, vocational, and personal needs of students. 

     Dual Credit (Concurrent Enrollment)

     Responsive Services/Individual Planning/System Support 

1. Promote dual credit (concurrent enrollment) to high school students and parents during advising/scheduling sessions.
2. Work withMidlandCollegecounselors and registrar to maintain good communication.
3. Advise students regarding dual credit (concurrent enrollment) eligibility and testing status.
4. Provide for distribution of dual credit (concurrent enrollment) information/registration packets.
5. Be responsible for providing Midland College Admissions office with student test scores/transcripts.
6. Complete and sign the dual credit (concurrent enrollment) registration form and return to student for their signature and parent’s signature.
7. Assist in follow-up reminders to faculty and students concerning dual credit (concurrent enrollment) registration deadlines. 

     Counseling Services:

     Responsive Services/Individual Planning/Guidance Curriculum 

1. Students and parents are made to feel welcome by the counselor and are given the kind of academic, personal, and/or vocational counseling which is appropriate or are referred carefully and caringly to other resources so that a variety of student needs and parent concerns can be met. 
2. Is available and accessible to students, on a daily basis in such a way that both planned and casual contact with students is achieved.
3. Provides appropriate career and educational counseling for individuals and student groups.
4. Conferences with parents and/or students regarding student aptitude , achievement, and ability, with particular emphasis on the counseling of students regarding PSAT/SAT testing. 
5. Works effectively with students and/or parents to resolve scheduling conflicts.
6. Conducts failure conferences with students on a regular basis.
7. Is knowledgeable about community agencies and coordinates the referral of students  to those agencies as appropriate.
8. Follows up on teacher and parent referrals for special diagnosis and counseling of student, working closely with MISD and community resources.
9. Conducts support groups for students with alternative educational placement
10. Provide PGP’s for At-Risk students in a collaborative effort to encourage student success. 

    Administrative:

    System Support/Individual Planning 

1. Administrative duties are executed with initiative, organization, and efficiency and are completed in a timely manner. 
2. Contributes appropriately to the development of the master schedule.
3. Assists in the planning and development of college nights, career days, or college personnel visitations.
4. Administers local scholarship and student opportunity programs. 

     Professional Growth:

     System Support 

1. Seeks methods by which a constant renewal, refinement, and acquisition of skills of counseling and guidance can be achieved; improvement and growth are a priority. 
2. Prepares and submits to the building principal an annual performance plan, outlining the guidance and counseling goals for the year, a timeline of activities, and a method of measurement of outcomes.
3. Plans for and engages in professional growth through attendance at state, regional, and/or district meetings and conferences. 

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Emotional – Maintain emotional control under stress

Physical – Moderate carrying and lifting.  Standing, sitting, walking, use of fingers, eyes and ears.

Environment – Inside normal office environment. 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• They have no supervisory responsibilities 

The above statements are intended to describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not intended to represent an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required.