Middle School Counselor

2025/2026 School Year

POSITION TITLE: Middle School Counselor

POSTING DATE: April 14, 2025

INTERNAL CLOSING DATE: April 21, 2025

GENERAL CLOSING DATE: April 25, 2025/Until filled

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENTS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. The following is a list of qualifications for the position, any one of which may be waived by the Board in exercising its prerogative to determine qualifications.

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE:

• Possess Master's Degree in Guidance and Counseling from an accredited institution
• Possess a valid Michigan secondary teaching certificate with an endorsement in counseling (NT)
• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) eligibility desired
• Prefer three years of satisfactory counseling and/or teaching experience at the secondary level
• Five years of successful counseling experience at the high school level with involvement in organizing and conducting group guidance activities desired
• Advanced study in the field of Guidance and Counseling with an emphasis on group guidance and adolescent development
• Training in the areas of adolescent development, organizational psychology, and curriculum development desired
• Active involvement in guidance and counseling professional organizations desired

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide guidance and counseling services to assigned students, including all international students
• Help staff members meet the special needs of the students through classroom involvement or joint teacher-counselor-student sessions
• Makes referrals to the Multi-tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) Team
• Attend MTSS meetings
• Work with social-emotional issues, substance abuse issues, and community resources
• Regular and reliable attendance is an essential function of the job
• Knowledge of Naviance Career Planning Software desired
• Responsibility of the employee to obtain and maintain all training(s), certificate(s), approval(s), etc. and provide documentation to the Human Resource office before the expiration date of said document(s)
• Other duties as assigned

LANGUAGE SKILLS:
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general counseling periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:
Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plan and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

REASONING ABILITY:
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.

OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES:
Ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory to instructional program; ability to plan and implement lessons based on division and school objectives and the needs and abilities of students to whom assigned. Ability to use appropriate language and accompanying techniques with adolescents on one to one basis as well as in groups. Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with students, peers, and parents; skill in oral and written communication.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

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 accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is continuously required to sit and talk or hear. Occasionally the employee will repeat the same hand, arm or finger motion many times. The employee must be able to attend meetings in the evening and at other locations. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision such as the ability to read handwritten or typed material, and the ability to adjust focus. The position requires the individual to meet multiple demands from several people and interact with the public and other staff.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

METHOD OF APPLICATION:
Internal candidates should send letter of intent and updated resume to Brett Pedersen pedersenb@dexterschools.org and to Barb Leonard at leonardb@dexterschools.org. External candidates should apply online.

This position will be posted internally and externally at the same time.

Applicants must be received by 4:00 PM on the deadline date.

The Board of Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), disability, age, religion, height, weight, marital or family status, military status, ancestry, genetic information, or any other legally protected category, (collectively, "Protected Classes"), in its educational programs and activities, including employment opportunities.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER