Counselor (26-27 SY)

Job Purpose

In keeping a tradition of excellence, the purpose of the Counselor is to provide a comprehensive developmental guidance and counseling program for all students at all grade levels, from pre-kindergarten through grade 12; to consult with parents/guardians, teachers, and other school staff members to enhance their effectiveness in guiding and supporting students in progressing through the grade levels and in planning their careers; and to provide support for the other education programs in the individual schools.

Goals, Objectives, and Activities

Goals, objectives, and activities of the guidance program are developed using the results of needs assessments.

Organization of Guidance Committee

Organize a guidance committee that functions in an advisory capacity.

Guidance Calendar

Develop a guidance calendar of activities that lists on-going and regular events and activities.

Information and Material Availability

Secure and makes available to students information and material on further educational opportunities, personal growth and development, and occupational opportunities and trends.

Guidance Curriculum Implementation

Develop and/or implement program for conflict resolution; Provide time in the daily schedule for individual counseling of students; Plan and implement group guidance activities.

Consultation and Collaboration

Consult with families, teachers, administrators, and other appropriate individuals regarding services and programs available to/for students; Prepare a list of contact personnel in agencies, programs, and services external to the school setting for collaboration and referral; Interpret test results to appropriate individuals; Assist in identifying students who need interventions/special services; Assist in reviewing students' progress at the end of each grading period.

Student Services

Assist with registering and orienting new students; Provide orientation to students from "feeder" schools; Conduct course selection using ISP guidelines; Provide students with information on school district policies regarding counseling services, student activities, competency and grade-level testing, graduation, and college admission; Provide students with materials and information regarding career and post-high school educational opportunities; Assists with college applications, scholarships, and employment applications including the writing of letters of recommendation; Inform families of student-related career and educational opportunities; Consult with administrators and teachers in the planning of course offerings that meet the needs and interests of students.

Referrals and Collaborations

Receive and acts upon referrals from administrators, teachers, families, agencies, and other professional staff; Serve in coordination of behavior interventions; Provide crisis intervention and preventive counseling; Assist families in effective use of community and school resources such as (a) identification of students needing special assistance, (b) maintaining a current file of alternate programs and schools, (c) counseling families and students about alternatives available, and (d) following up on students' progress.

Office Organization and Documentation

Organize office for most effective use; Prepare/submit reports, records, lists, and other paperwork accurately and in a timely manner.

Professional Development and Communication

Participate in meetings on the local, district, state, or national level as required or appropriate; Keep informed of developments within the profession by maintaining active membership in appropriate organizations, attending professional meetings, reading professional journals and other publications, and networking with other professionals; Educational consultation and collaboration with teachers, administrators, and community; Adhere to Rankin County School District board policies and procedures and administrative directives; Communicate effectively using standard oral and written English; Abide by the American School Counseling Association's Code of Ethics; Lead and attend staff meetings/trainings as applicable; Serve on staff committees; Assume responsibility for own professional growth and development, for keeping current with literature, new research findings, for attending appropriate professional meetings and conferences, and to maintain any credits and/or continued education for maintenance of licensure/qualifications required for the position.

Confidentiality and Attendance

Maintain confidentiality; Regular, dependable, punctual, in person attendance is an essential function of this position.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, use hands for fine manipulation, handle or feel and reach with hands and arms using equipment such as a keyboard and video display terminal. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, reach, crouch or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and move up to 35 pounds and occasionally up to 75 pounds.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The work environment is not a standard office setting; but rather encompasses the entire active school campus both inside and outside the facilities. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate and occasionally high.