Guidance Counselor

Role and Responsibilities

Reporting to the Principal, the PSOE School Guidance Counselor provides support services to students, staff, and parents. Support services include referrals, counseling, assessment, diagnostics, and report writing. This work takes place at the school site, in other public buildings, and in private residences.

• Supports students, staff, and parents through referrals, counseling, assessment, diagnostics, and report writing.
• Oversees implementation of behavioral programs.
• Consults with other professional staff and outside agencies and organizations as needed.
• Makes home visits and assessments as delegated.
• Develops and maintains family outreach programs and community partnerships.
• Serves as a member of the FACT team and other school-based behavioral/outreach teams.
• Completes written reports as needed or as requested by Principal.
• Provides direct service as needed to students in the classroom.
• Completes reports and follow-up documentation as required by Federal, State, and local agencies.
• Prepares to make oral presentations of assessments, diagnostics, home visits, and observations.
• Keeps updated and documented evidence as case files for all active counseling cases.
• Contributes to a strong administrative team: serves on school committees; seeks participation and involvement with direction for both ongoing local operations as well as state and federal counseling obligations.
• Serves as a professional advisor to the Principal on all aspects of school counseling activities.
• Identifies, assesses, and informs the Executive Director of internal and external issues that may affect the organization.
• Fosters effective teamwork between the culture team and administration, and between the administration and school staff.
• Absorbs all roles as delegated for a variety of administrative functions to manage the administrative workload more efficiently.
• Actively engages and energizes PSOE volunteers, board members, event committees, stakeholders, partnering organizations, and funders.
• Utilizes effective systems as delegated to troubleshoot problems, track progress, and regularly evaluate workflow components, so as to measure progress in a way that can be effectively communicated to the Principal.

Program Planning and Management

• Oversees the K-8 behavioral education program development, integration, and implementation with the assistance and direction of the Curriculum Director and Principal.
• Contributes to the organization's mission and reflects the priorities of the school.
• Assists in the planning, implementation, execution, and evaluation of special projects.
• Oversees high school placement and 21st Century Learners program.
• Aids in family assistance programs, especially surrounding Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Human Resources Planning and Management

• Establishes a positive, healthy, and safe work environment in accordance with all appropriate legislation and regulations including FERPA, Section 504, and Special Education.
• Assists all staff with elements of behavioral orientation and organization.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• Thoroughly committed to the PSOE mission.
• Proven leadership and relationship management experience.
• Concrete demonstrable experience and other qualifications include: Masters degree (preferred) in field of social services, including certification in middle school counseling.
• Unwavering commitment to quality programs and production.
• Excellence in organizational management, with the ability to manage multiple tasks, and set and achieve strategic objectives.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; a persuasive and passionate communicator with excellent interpersonal and multidisciplinary project skills.
• Action-oriented, entrepreneurial, adaptable, and innovative approach to planning.
• Ability to work effectively in collaboration with diverse groups of people.
• Passion, idealism, integrity, grit, positive attitude, mission-driven, and self-directed.

Preferred Skills

• Proficiency in technology.
• Knowledge of leadership and management principles as they relate to charter schools.
• Knowledge of current community challenges and opportunities relating to the mission of the organization.

Additional Notes

• Working Conditions and Physical Requirements: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
• The Guidance Counselor usually works in standard workplaces, but will frequently be required to complete tasks in a wide variety of locations within the school campus.
• The School Counselor works a standard workweek, but additionally may work evenings, weekends, and any additional hours necessary to accommodate activities such as committees, home visitations, fundraisers, public meetings, and representing the organization at public events.