26-27SY Teacher, Full-time-Behavioral Health Counselor

The School District of Philadelphia is committed to becoming the fastest improving District in the country, transforming the educational opportunities it offers to over 198,000 students. We seek leaders passionate about working with schools and communities to ensure all students achieve.

About the Role

Advises students at an assigned secondary or middle school, providing counseling services that foster academic, personal, social, and career development. Offers individual and group counseling, implements broad-based programs on decision-making, conflict resolution, self-esteem, and coping strategies, and serves as a resource for dropout prevention, substance abuse, pregnancy, homelessness, and crisis intervention. Acts as a liaison between the school and community/governmental agencies.

Responsibilities

• Provides general school counseling and guidance programs, including individual and group counseling.
• Implements programs on decision-making, conflict resolution, self-esteem, coping strategies, and related issues.
• Plans and delivers classroom guidance on post-high school planning, career exploration, and interpersonal relationships.
• Provides counseling to students and parents on issues affecting academic achievement and personal development.
• Serves as the primary agent for addressing issues impacting students at risk of underachievement.
• Acts as a school-based resource for dropout prevention, substance abuse, pregnancy, homelessness, and crisis intervention.
• Participates in team interventions to support students.
• Collaborates with parents, teachers, and staff to plan and implement comprehensive educational programs.
• Makes referrals to outside agencies and provides follow-up services.
• Gathers and disseminates information on critical issues such as substance abuse, suicide prevention, teen pregnancy, and homelessness.
• Stays current with techniques and trends in school counseling for secondary and middle school students.
• Prepares and maintains student-counseling records, reports, and statistical summaries.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with students, families, and staff.

Bilingual Specialty

• Provides counseling and guidance in a specified world language and English.
• Creates an environment with access to bilingual counseling materials.
• Stays current with techniques and trends in bilingual school counseling.

Middle College Specialty

• Serves as a liaison between the college and school to plan college visits and facilitate postsecondary achievement.
• Monitors students to ensure they are on track for college during junior and senior years.
• Works with teachers to provide necessary academic interventions and supports.

Sign Language Specialty

• Provides counseling and guidance in American Sign Language, Signed English, and English.
• Creates an environment with access to specialized materials for deaf/hearing-impaired students.
• Stays current with techniques and trends in counseling for the deaf and hearing impaired.

GEAR UP 3 Specialty

• Provides academic, college, and career counseling to GEAR UP students.
• Offers career and college entrance information and assistance to students, teachers, and parents.
• Collaborates with school counselors to schedule college visits, workshops, and career-related events.
• Plans and implements career events and publications.
• Counsels students on state/district tests and college entrance exams.
• Provides financial aid counseling and FAFSA completion support.
• Supports students in mentoring, job shadowing, and internship programs.
• Participates in developing the annual action plan and submits required documents.
• Enters program and student data weekly and maintains accurate records.
• Provides monthly program updates and attends GEAR UP meetings and conferences.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in school counseling from an accredited college or university.

Qualifications

All Specialties

• Demonstrated knowledge of:
  • Principles, practices, and theories of individual/group counseling.
  • Principles, practices, and theories of developmental/educational guidance.
  • Current techniques and trends in counseling and guidance at the secondary/middle school level.
  • Theories and principles of adolescent development, group dynamics, and interpersonal interactions.
  • Communication skills and techniques.
  • Health, economic, and social problems experienced by urban families.
  • Functions and resources of community/governmental agencies supporting students and families.
• Demonstrated ability to:
  • Provide counseling and guidance on an individual/group basis.
  • Employ tact, diplomacy, and sound judgment in sensitive situations.
  • Work effectively with students and families to address specific problems.
  • Identify signs of substance abuse and students at risk for suicide.
  • Understand and interpret standardized test scores and promotional policies.
  • Participate in crisis intervention.
  • Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
  • Prepare and maintain records, reports, and statistical summaries.
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Bilingual Specialty

• Demonstrated knowledge of both English and the specified world language, including history and culture.
• Demonstrated ability to fluently speak, read, and write both English and the specified world language.

Sign Language Specialty

• Demonstrated knowledge of:
  • Social and emotional issues related to deafness/hearing impairment.
  • Diagnostic and assessment instruments for deaf/hearing-impaired students.
  • History and culture of the deaf/hearing-impaired community.
• Demonstrated ability to use and understand Signed English and American Sign Language.

Certificates/Licenses

• Regular, Sign Language, and GEAR UP 3 Specialty: Valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania instructional specialist certificate endorsed for Secondary Counselor (or Guidance Counselor Certificate issued prior to July 1, 1969) OR valid Elementary and Secondary School Counselor (PreK-12) certificate.
• Bilingual Specialty: Original, signed letter from the Certification Officer of an accredited college or university verifying current enrollment in an approved School Counselor certification program.

Primary Location: Roxborough High School (6030). Union Affiliation: Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT).