What are the responsibilities and job description for the School Counselor- Williamstown Elementary School position at Central Vermont Supervisory Union?
The primary goal of the School Counselor is to promote and enhance student learning through positive behavior intervention and support, character education and personal/social development. The school counselor utilizes a variety of strategies, activities, delivery methods and resources to promote the desired student outcomes. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Implement effective classroom guidance focusing on understanding of self and others; coping strategies; peer relationships and effective social skills; communication, problem-solving, decision-making, conflict resolution, and study skills; career awareness and the world of work; substance education; and multicultural awareness. Provide individual and small group counseling dealing with self-image and self-esteem, personal adjustment, family issues, interpersonal concerns, academic development, and behavior modification, as well as peer facilitation and peer mediation.
Provide assessment by helping students identify their skills, abilities, achievements, and interests through counseling and guidance activities, and interpretation of standardized tests.Work with specialized populations and needs that require special attention, such as culturally diverse populations and students with varying abilities. Develop students career awareness as a lifelong process of forming basic values, attitudes, and interests regarding their future world of work. Coordinate school, community and business resources, school wide guidance-related activities, and extracurricular programs, which promote students personal growth and skill development. Provide consultation with teachers, administrators, school psychologists, school social workers, and outside agencies and social services concerning the welfare of the students.
Make appropriate referrals for special services for students and families within the school and community. Communicate and exchange information with parents/guardians by way of conferences, parent education workshops, and newsletters. Participate as members of the school improvement and interdisciplinary teams.Provide consultation services to teachers and provide staff in-service. Serve on school and community committees addressing the needs of young people.Work to discover and develop special abilities of students.
Work to resolve students educational challenges. Maintain student records and protect their confidentiality. Initiate, assemble, maintain, and interpret accurate health records, attendance records, cumulative progress records, and activity records, for assigned students. Provide career guidance and information to students and parents.
Assist in coordinating and administering annual school wide assessments. OTHER PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES: Approaches problems in a positive manner. Views barriers to learning and post-secondary success as solvable challenges. Able to identify practical solutions to problems.
Able to resolve issues in a fair, equitable and timely manner. Able to identify and implement improvements to practices to increase effectiveness.Able to effectively handle conflict and stress; able to remain calm and professional when challenged or when others disagree. Ability to stay regulated when others are not.Ability to work cooperatively and effectively with peers, subordinates, supervisors, parents, and outside agencies.Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things. Effectively works with others, including those with opinions or beliefs different from their own.
Interacts with others in a friendly, tactful and positive manner. Works through differences in a respectful manner without drama. Sensitive to the feelings of others. Treats others with dignity and respect.
Builds constructive and supportive relationships with peers. Helps to create an inclusive work environment. Attempts to understand others points of view. Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
Ability to use this data and information for effective decision-making.Listen and get clarification; Respond well to questions. Excellent oral and written communication skills (clear, accurate, articulate, concise, proper grammar) Communication is timely, courteous, respectful and tactful. Excellent listening skills. Develops and implements an effective system to maintain accurate, complete and confidential student records including student completion of assignments, student progress in learning, and other non-instructional records.
Prepares and submits accurate, complete, timely and effective reports as required by law, district policy, and/or administrative direction. Strong facilitation, collaboration, interpersonal and written and oral communication skills. Ability to communicate courteously, efficiently and effectively with a variety of individuals, including students, faculty, administrators, parents, and representatives of outside organizations. Ability to work cooperatively and effectively with peers, subordinates, supervisors, parents, and outside agencies.Communicates/collaborates effectively with parents to keep families informed of the instructional programs and individual student progress, and effectively responds to parent concerns and engages families to help meet the educational needs of the student.
Means of communication may include annual open house, observation sessions for parents, conferences, weekly newsletters, sessions for program discussion, making home visits, telephone, email, and other individual meetings as necessary. Works effectively, cooperatively and respectfully with supervisors, colleagues, subordinates, and other professionals and outside agencies. Participates in Data Teams, Universal Teams, and EST/MTSS functions including, but not limited to, meetings, developing referral processes, screening referred students, evaluating data, providing supplemental support, and consulting services as requested. Actively participates in school events, workshops, in-service meetings, teacher trainings, building level staff meetings, district meetings, and other school and district committees/projects, making substantial contributions.
Seeks out and actively participates in opportunities for professional development to enhance content knowledge and teaching skills, to support district goals and school action/strategic plans as may be directed by the School Principal. Keeps abreast of current best practices, research findings, and other developments in the field. Actively participates in assisting and supporting other educators and administrators in the school and/or district. Shows professionalism and considers "What's best for students" in serving and advocating for students, and in decision making.
Follows and assists in upholding and enforcing school rules, administrative regulations and procedures, and policies of the CVSU.Assists in training, planning, and directing the activities of assigned paraeducators; plays an advisory role in paraeducator evaluations.Participate in the implementation of the school safety and crisis response plans including training and drill practice.Other duties as assigned.PROFESSIONAL EXPECTATIONS: Interpersonal Skills. Effectively works with others, including those with opinions or beliefs different from their own. Interacts with others in a friendly, tactful and positive manner. Treats others with dignity and respect.
Builds constructive and supportive relationships with peers. Helps to create an inclusive work environment. Attempts to understand others points of view and is open to new ideas. Team Player.
Contributes to building a positive team spirit. Proven ability to work cooperatively and effectively as part of a team. Ability to work cooperatively and effectively with peers, subordinates, supervisors, parents, and outside agencies.Organizational/Planning Skills. Strong organizational skills that reflect the ability to prioritize multiple tasks seamlessly with excellent accuracy & attention to detail.Flexibility/Adaptable: High degree of personal adaptability and flexibility; open to and embraces change towards the improvement of the systems.
Open to new ideas and tasks without resistance; able to deal with new situations well. Versatile and capable of handling diverse assignments. Able to effectively accept constructive criticism.Motivation/Self-Direction: Has a personal drive to succeed. Proven ability to work effectively without specific direction, and with minimal supervision.
Driven to identify and implement improvements to systems and practices to increase efficiency and effectiveness.Emotional Maturity: Able to effectively handle conflict and stress; able to remain calm and professional when challenged or when others disagree.Attitude/Personality/Style: Friendly, helpful and positive disposition; presents a professional image; patient and understanding; takes pride and personal ownership in work; responsive to the needs of others; enthusiastic; good sense of humor; positive outlook and able to see the good in every situation; honest and direct; transparent.Attendance/Punctuality: Is consistently at work and on time; ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; arrives at meetings and appointments on time; commits to working overtime when needed to meet deadlines. Follows established leave requesting and reporting protocols.Problem Solving Skills: Approaches problems in a positive manner. Views impediments as solvable challenges. Able to identify practical solutions to problems.
Able to resolve issues in a fair, equitable and timely manner.Organizational Support: Follows district policies and procedures, rules of conduct, and behavior expectations. Promotes/presents a positive image of the school/district.Dependability: Follows instructions and responds to management direction; Responds to requests for service and assistance; Takes responsibility for own actions. Completes tasks on time or notifies the appropriate person with an alternate plan. Follow through on commitments.Job Knowledge: Demonstrates a working knowledge and understanding in the areas of responsibility.
Acquires needed skills and knowledge with little reluctance, continuing to grow knowledge base to remain current with new developments and industry best practices.QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily, in addition to the following: Education and Experience. Bachelors degree is required. A masters degree with a concentration in guidance or its equivalent is preferred. Ability to communicate and work effectively and respectfully with students, faculty/staff, parents, administrators and the community required.
Meets the American School Counselor Associations Professional Standards and Competencies. Certifications and Licenses. Holds a Vermont Professional Educators license with Guidance Counselor endorsements (3-64) and meets all the basic competencies and qualifications of the endorsement(s) as listed in the Regulations Governing the Licensing of Educators and the Preparation of Educational Professionals. Possession of a valid drivers license.
Fingerprint/criminal justice clearance.Language Skills. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common educational and technical journals, college admissions and financial aid/scholarship applications, periodicals and procedures, and regulations. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from parents, regulatory agencies, or members of the community. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals that conform to school/district standards or regulations.
Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from administrators, parents, peers, board members and the general public. Mathematical/Reasoning Skills. Ability to interpret and use test results by applying math concepts such as standard error of measurement, bands of confidence, standard scores, and percentiles. Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Computer Skills and Experience. Ability to learn and utilize Microsoft Office, Google Suite (email, calendar, docs, sheets), grading, student information, assessment systems, and new software programs as systems upgrade. Communication & Interpersonal Skills.
Ability to effectively, efficiently and regularly communicate and work cooperatively with a variety of individuals, including students, peers, subordinates, supervisors, parents, and representatives of outside organizations. Ability to effectively resolve conflicts and handle stress. Have demonstrated experience successfully supporting diverse students, including students of color, English Language Learners, and LGBTQ students. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Physical ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined above, in addition to the following: Under most circumstances, while performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; and sit.
The employee is regularly required to see, talk and hear. The employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms; climb steps; stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift, carry, move and/or restrain school-aged students.
Employees are regularly required to handle stressful situations and resolve conflicts. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. WORKING CONDITIONS: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: Central Vermont Supervisory Union is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender identify, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, we prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose such discrimination and harassment or who particiapte in an equal opportunity investigation.Our organization is committed to building a diverse team that represents the students we serve. We welcome applications from people of color, people from the LGBTQ community, and people withdisabilities.DISCLAIMER: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. This is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required.
All employees may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.Last Revised 7.1.2022
Provide assessment by helping students identify their skills, abilities, achievements, and interests through counseling and guidance activities, and interpretation of standardized tests.Work with specialized populations and needs that require special attention, such as culturally diverse populations and students with varying abilities. Develop students career awareness as a lifelong process of forming basic values, attitudes, and interests regarding their future world of work. Coordinate school, community and business resources, school wide guidance-related activities, and extracurricular programs, which promote students personal growth and skill development. Provide consultation with teachers, administrators, school psychologists, school social workers, and outside agencies and social services concerning the welfare of the students.
Make appropriate referrals for special services for students and families within the school and community. Communicate and exchange information with parents/guardians by way of conferences, parent education workshops, and newsletters. Participate as members of the school improvement and interdisciplinary teams.Provide consultation services to teachers and provide staff in-service. Serve on school and community committees addressing the needs of young people.Work to discover and develop special abilities of students.
Work to resolve students educational challenges. Maintain student records and protect their confidentiality. Initiate, assemble, maintain, and interpret accurate health records, attendance records, cumulative progress records, and activity records, for assigned students. Provide career guidance and information to students and parents.
Assist in coordinating and administering annual school wide assessments. OTHER PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES: Approaches problems in a positive manner. Views barriers to learning and post-secondary success as solvable challenges. Able to identify practical solutions to problems.
Able to resolve issues in a fair, equitable and timely manner. Able to identify and implement improvements to practices to increase effectiveness.Able to effectively handle conflict and stress; able to remain calm and professional when challenged or when others disagree. Ability to stay regulated when others are not.Ability to work cooperatively and effectively with peers, subordinates, supervisors, parents, and outside agencies.Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things. Effectively works with others, including those with opinions or beliefs different from their own.
Interacts with others in a friendly, tactful and positive manner. Works through differences in a respectful manner without drama. Sensitive to the feelings of others. Treats others with dignity and respect.
Builds constructive and supportive relationships with peers. Helps to create an inclusive work environment. Attempts to understand others points of view. Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
Ability to use this data and information for effective decision-making.Listen and get clarification; Respond well to questions. Excellent oral and written communication skills (clear, accurate, articulate, concise, proper grammar) Communication is timely, courteous, respectful and tactful. Excellent listening skills. Develops and implements an effective system to maintain accurate, complete and confidential student records including student completion of assignments, student progress in learning, and other non-instructional records.
Prepares and submits accurate, complete, timely and effective reports as required by law, district policy, and/or administrative direction. Strong facilitation, collaboration, interpersonal and written and oral communication skills. Ability to communicate courteously, efficiently and effectively with a variety of individuals, including students, faculty, administrators, parents, and representatives of outside organizations. Ability to work cooperatively and effectively with peers, subordinates, supervisors, parents, and outside agencies.Communicates/collaborates effectively with parents to keep families informed of the instructional programs and individual student progress, and effectively responds to parent concerns and engages families to help meet the educational needs of the student.
Means of communication may include annual open house, observation sessions for parents, conferences, weekly newsletters, sessions for program discussion, making home visits, telephone, email, and other individual meetings as necessary. Works effectively, cooperatively and respectfully with supervisors, colleagues, subordinates, and other professionals and outside agencies. Participates in Data Teams, Universal Teams, and EST/MTSS functions including, but not limited to, meetings, developing referral processes, screening referred students, evaluating data, providing supplemental support, and consulting services as requested. Actively participates in school events, workshops, in-service meetings, teacher trainings, building level staff meetings, district meetings, and other school and district committees/projects, making substantial contributions.
Seeks out and actively participates in opportunities for professional development to enhance content knowledge and teaching skills, to support district goals and school action/strategic plans as may be directed by the School Principal. Keeps abreast of current best practices, research findings, and other developments in the field. Actively participates in assisting and supporting other educators and administrators in the school and/or district. Shows professionalism and considers "What's best for students" in serving and advocating for students, and in decision making.
Follows and assists in upholding and enforcing school rules, administrative regulations and procedures, and policies of the CVSU.Assists in training, planning, and directing the activities of assigned paraeducators; plays an advisory role in paraeducator evaluations.Participate in the implementation of the school safety and crisis response plans including training and drill practice.Other duties as assigned.PROFESSIONAL EXPECTATIONS: Interpersonal Skills. Effectively works with others, including those with opinions or beliefs different from their own. Interacts with others in a friendly, tactful and positive manner. Treats others with dignity and respect.
Builds constructive and supportive relationships with peers. Helps to create an inclusive work environment. Attempts to understand others points of view and is open to new ideas. Team Player.
Contributes to building a positive team spirit. Proven ability to work cooperatively and effectively as part of a team. Ability to work cooperatively and effectively with peers, subordinates, supervisors, parents, and outside agencies.Organizational/Planning Skills. Strong organizational skills that reflect the ability to prioritize multiple tasks seamlessly with excellent accuracy & attention to detail.Flexibility/Adaptable: High degree of personal adaptability and flexibility; open to and embraces change towards the improvement of the systems.
Open to new ideas and tasks without resistance; able to deal with new situations well. Versatile and capable of handling diverse assignments. Able to effectively accept constructive criticism.Motivation/Self-Direction: Has a personal drive to succeed. Proven ability to work effectively without specific direction, and with minimal supervision.
Driven to identify and implement improvements to systems and practices to increase efficiency and effectiveness.Emotional Maturity: Able to effectively handle conflict and stress; able to remain calm and professional when challenged or when others disagree.Attitude/Personality/Style: Friendly, helpful and positive disposition; presents a professional image; patient and understanding; takes pride and personal ownership in work; responsive to the needs of others; enthusiastic; good sense of humor; positive outlook and able to see the good in every situation; honest and direct; transparent.Attendance/Punctuality: Is consistently at work and on time; ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; arrives at meetings and appointments on time; commits to working overtime when needed to meet deadlines. Follows established leave requesting and reporting protocols.Problem Solving Skills: Approaches problems in a positive manner. Views impediments as solvable challenges. Able to identify practical solutions to problems.
Able to resolve issues in a fair, equitable and timely manner.Organizational Support: Follows district policies and procedures, rules of conduct, and behavior expectations. Promotes/presents a positive image of the school/district.Dependability: Follows instructions and responds to management direction; Responds to requests for service and assistance; Takes responsibility for own actions. Completes tasks on time or notifies the appropriate person with an alternate plan. Follow through on commitments.Job Knowledge: Demonstrates a working knowledge and understanding in the areas of responsibility.
Acquires needed skills and knowledge with little reluctance, continuing to grow knowledge base to remain current with new developments and industry best practices.QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily, in addition to the following: Education and Experience. Bachelors degree is required. A masters degree with a concentration in guidance or its equivalent is preferred. Ability to communicate and work effectively and respectfully with students, faculty/staff, parents, administrators and the community required.
Meets the American School Counselor Associations Professional Standards and Competencies. Certifications and Licenses. Holds a Vermont Professional Educators license with Guidance Counselor endorsements (3-64) and meets all the basic competencies and qualifications of the endorsement(s) as listed in the Regulations Governing the Licensing of Educators and the Preparation of Educational Professionals. Possession of a valid drivers license.
Fingerprint/criminal justice clearance.Language Skills. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common educational and technical journals, college admissions and financial aid/scholarship applications, periodicals and procedures, and regulations. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from parents, regulatory agencies, or members of the community. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals that conform to school/district standards or regulations.
Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from administrators, parents, peers, board members and the general public. Mathematical/Reasoning Skills. Ability to interpret and use test results by applying math concepts such as standard error of measurement, bands of confidence, standard scores, and percentiles. Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Computer Skills and Experience. Ability to learn and utilize Microsoft Office, Google Suite (email, calendar, docs, sheets), grading, student information, assessment systems, and new software programs as systems upgrade. Communication & Interpersonal Skills.
Ability to effectively, efficiently and regularly communicate and work cooperatively with a variety of individuals, including students, peers, subordinates, supervisors, parents, and representatives of outside organizations. Ability to effectively resolve conflicts and handle stress. Have demonstrated experience successfully supporting diverse students, including students of color, English Language Learners, and LGBTQ students. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Physical ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined above, in addition to the following: Under most circumstances, while performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; and sit.
The employee is regularly required to see, talk and hear. The employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms; climb steps; stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift, carry, move and/or restrain school-aged students.
Employees are regularly required to handle stressful situations and resolve conflicts. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. WORKING CONDITIONS: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: Central Vermont Supervisory Union is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender identify, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, we prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose such discrimination and harassment or who particiapte in an equal opportunity investigation.Our organization is committed to building a diverse team that represents the students we serve. We welcome applications from people of color, people from the LGBTQ community, and people withdisabilities.DISCLAIMER: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. This is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required.
All employees may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.Last Revised 7.1.2022
