School Counselor (updated 6/15)

Duties And Responsibilities

Provides a full range of professional student services/activities in the areas of academic, personal/social, and career development for students at the elementary and/or secondary level.

Selects, organizes, and assists with the utilization of educational, occupational, and personal development information.

Plans, schedules, and organizes sequential counseling activities consistent with the academic, career, and personal/social needs of all students.

Provides a sequential grade and/or age appropriate program of academic, career development, and/or personal counseling for students.

Provides activities to help students understand themselves and their relationships with others, and seeks to develop in students increased competency in decision-making and problem solving.

Affords assistance with the coordination of testing sessions and in the interpretation of standardized tests.

Interprets data from the cumulative records for students, their parents, and others who are professionally concerned.

Affords assistance in the identification of students with special needs and develops appropriate counseling.

Affords assistance to parents in obtaining resources available to them, both within and outside the school system, and serves as a resource person to parents and staff on the growth and development of children.

Collates and disseminates to students and their parents information on educational and career opportunities.

Affords assistance to students in the process leading through secondary education to appropriate post-secondary educational placement.

Participates in school based and non-school based staff development and in-service training opportunities.

Collaborates within a professional learning community in order to nurture and sustain a school culture and programs conducive to accelerated student achievement.

Counsels students individually or in groups regarding peer/parent relationships, personal problem solving, communication skills, and appropriate social behavior.

Affords supportive counseling for students at high risk to develop adjustment problems, e.g., families in crisis, families undergoing separation or divorce, and single parent families.

Counsels students about the management of time within a school setting, study skills, and problem solving techniques.

Participates in a variety of programs aimed at providing services to students; i.e., SIT, Special Ed, 504, FAPT, etc.

Job Requirements

Completion of a master's degree from an approved school counselor education program.

Possession of or eligibility for a Pupil Personnel Services or Postgraduate Professional license with an endorsement in School Counseling.

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Excellent organizational, planning and human relations skills.

Good knowledge of school counseling, career education methods, materials, procedures, and practices.

Good knowledge of child/adolescent growth and development and career education counseling theory.

Ability to apply knowledge of contemporary guidance and counseling practices to the needs of assigned students.

Ability to develop cooperative working relationships with students, parents, and instructional staff.

Ability to maintain accurate records and confidentiality, to include filing of academic records.