Middle School Guidance Counselor~CHMS

Department: CHMS | Reports to: Building Principal/Director of Special Services

About the Role

As a member of the Guidance Department, you will deliver a comprehensive guidance program for students in grades 6–8. The role focuses on activities tailored to your assigned caseload, consultation with teachers, staff, and parents to enhance student support, and collaboration with other educational programs.

Responsibilities

• Counsel groups or individual students through the development of educational and career plans.
• Counsel small groups and individual students with problems; refer severe cases to appropriate community resources.
• Consult with teachers, staff, and parents regarding meeting the developmental needs of students.
• Conduct counseling activities in the classroom in conjunction with administration and teachers.
• Consult with teachers to facilitate the infusion of counseling learning activities into the regular education curricula.
• Respond to crisis situations when appropriate.
• Assist in standardized test administration.
• Attend orientation meetings and other parent information meetings.
• Provide support services for students in academic programs, team teaching, registration, course planning, school rules, and related matters.
• Assess and counsel students based on observations, conversations, and test results.
• Provide personal counseling for students, families, and groups to foster self-understanding, responsibility, and decision-making skills.
• Provide group counseling for interaction, communication, and support skill development.
• Interpret post-high school opportunities and available information regarding career, college, military, and lifestyle decisions.
• Administer tests and diagnose results in areas such as organization, memory skills, aptitude, and preferences.
• Assist students with college, scholarship, and grant applications.
• Maintain professional competence through in-service education and self-selected professional growth activities.
• Serve on faculty and curriculum committees.
• Supervise classroom and students (including volunteers and parent helpers where appropriate).
• Perform general supervisory duties as scheduled.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (Master’s degree required for certain positions).
• Valid Connecticut Teaching Certificate with Endorsement 068.
• Additional credits required for completion of certification.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret professional journals, technical procedures, and governmental regulations.
• Ability to write memos, reports, and correspondence, and to present information effectively to administrators, staff, parents, and the public.
• Basic mathematical skills, including computation of rates, ratios, percentages, and basic algebra/geometry.
• Basic computer skills for email, word processing, accounting, databases, and presentations.
• Ability to solve practical problems with limited standardization and interpret instructions in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Ability to apply current research and teaching competencies to the instructional program.
• Ability to plan and implement lessons based on school objectives and student needs.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with students, peers, and parents.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Awareness of district requirements, Board of Education policies, and the code of professional responsibility for teachers.

Physical Demands

• Frequently required to stand, talk, hear, walk, and sit.
• Occasionally required to push or lift up to 50 pounds (e.g., boxes of books, AV/VCR carts).
• Directly responsible for the safety, well-being, or work output of others.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• Must meet multiple demands from several people and interact with the public and staff.

Work Environment

• Moderate to loud noise levels.
• Duties performed indoors and occasionally outdoors.

Pay

As per negotiated contract (BPS Contracts).