What are the responsibilities and job description for the Counselor position at Carlsbad Municipal Schools?
School Counselor
A General Education Counselor is an individual who provides guidance to students in meeting graduation requirements and preparing for post-secondary career and/or college opportunities. This individual will also be responsible for implementation of activities that facilitate student’s social and emotional growth within the school setting.
A General Education Counselor is an individual who provides guidance to students in meeting graduation requirements and preparing for post-secondary career and/or college opportunities. This individual will also be responsible for implementation of activities that facilitate student’s social and emotional growth within the school setting.
- Guidance Counselor- Secondary Duties and Responsibilities
- Provide guidance to students in meeting graduation requirements and preparing for post-secondary career and/or college opportunities.
- Maintain accurate and complete records and reports as required by federal and state law and regulation, department guidance, and district and charter school policies.
- Support students in meeting the requirements for a New Mexico diploma of excellence by:
- Providing guidance on coursework and demonstrations of competency
- Analyzing transcripts
- Data entry for student class schedules
- Guiding student and parent decision-making regarding courses and graduation pathways
- Supporting attendance monitoring and intervention.
- Supporting and implementing the Next Step Plan requirements.
- Analyzing and interpreting test results
- Providing support in ordering dual credit books.
- Supporting students in college and career exploration and planning by:
- Supporting students with the college application and admission process, including preparation for college admission tests.
- Arranging for dual or concurrent enrollment, career technical education, and advanced placement course offerings.
- Informing students about postsecondary financing options such as the free application for federal student aid (FAFSA) and scholarships that can be used to support advanced education and training.
- Supporting student documentation of career preparedness, including industry-recognized credentials or certificates, test results, grades, samples of student work, resumes, and cover letters to prospective employers.
- Planning and conducting activities focused on increasing career awareness.
- Implementation of a comprehensive school counseling program that functions within the Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) framework
- Implement developmentally appropriate and prevention-oriented group activities to meet student needs and school goals.
- Serve as an advocate for students’ social and emotional needs in the school setting.
- Support in the implementation of schoolwide Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum.
- Accurately and appropriately use assessment procedures for determining and structuring individual and group counseling services.
- Provide group and individual counseling to students in need.
- Provide peer conflict resolution services to students in need.
- Assist in completion of threat assessments and serve as a member of the threat assessment team.
- Attend and participate in Student Assistance Team (SAT) meetings, as a resource for information and referrals to additional services.
- Assist in completion of Functional Behavior Assessments and Behavior Intervention Plans.
- Support students through crises and work with families to determine the next level of support.
- Connect students and their families to resources that will support the student’s social, emotional, and academic growth in the school setting.
- Serve as liaison for students in need of additional resources and/or that have received community donations, including but not limited to those related to homelessness, food insecurity, holiday meals, holiday gifts, winter clothes, and school supplies.
- Maintain communication with families in need of access to food distribution services and assist with distribution of these resources.
- Refer students to social service and governmental agencies, support groups, and other community agencies as appropriate.
- Maintain current knowledge of community resources.
- Assist in the identification of students with special needs and make referrals for testing when a disability is suspected.
- Serve as a resource to staff regarding social, emotional, and behavioral issues of students in the school setting.
- Provide training to school staff regarding topics of social emotional well-being, mental health, suicide prevention, and related policies/procedures.
- Provide consultation to school staff regarding social, emotional, and behavioral issues occurring in the school setting.
- Support administration in implementation of Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS).
- Support administration in implementation of restorative justice practices.
- Maintain a high level of ethical behavior and confidentiality of information regarding students, parents, and staff.
- Maintain and execute the role as a mandatory reporter as required by law.
- Maintain accurate and complete documentation of services provided in the Student Information System and in accordance with Medicaid School Based Services standards, when applicable.
- Pathway 1
- Official sealed transcripts Master’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university, must have 36-42 graduate hours in school counseling to include a practicum in a school setting; and
- Passage of the Content Knowledge Assessment in School Counseling.
- Pathway 2
- Licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) or licensed professional clinical mental health counselor (LPCC) issued by the New Mexico Counseling & Therapy Practice Board and a minimum of 6 semester hours of graduate credit in school counseling course work; and
- Passage of the Content Knowledge Assessment in School Counseling.
- Pathway 3
- National Certified School Counselor credential issued by the National board for certified counselors Passage of the Content Knowledge; and
- Assessment in School Counseling
