School Counselor (K-12)

Job Title :   School Counselor

Reports to (Title) : Principal

Terms of Employment :

Hours per day :  8

Days per year :  190, 200

Type of position : Full-time

Status : Exempt

General Summary :

Through leadership, advocacy and collaboration, professional school counselors promote equity and access to rigorous educational experiences for all students. Professional school counselors support a safe learning environment, work to safeguard the human rights of all members of the school community, and address the needs of all students through culturally relevant prevention and intervention programs that are a part of a comprehensive school counseling program. Assists in other school and district programs as assigned.

Essential Functions :

Supports and upholds the mission, vision and strategic goals of Lexington County School District One.

Effectively interacts, communicates and collaborates with students, parents, colleagues and other stakeholders to foster student learning.

Establishes a safe, supportive, positive and productive learning environment for all students.

Upholds the ethical and professional standards of the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) and other applicable professional counseling associations, and promote the development of the school counseling program based on the following areas of the ASCA National Model : Foundation, system support, delivery, management and accountability :

Foundation

Professional school counselors act on school counseling philosophies to guide the development, implementation and evaluation of a culturally relevant and comprehensive school counseling programs. Professional school counselors create a mission statement supporting the school’s and district’s mission and collaborate with other individuals and organizations to promote all students’ academic, career and personal / social development.

Delivery

Professional school counselors provide culturally competent services to students, parents / guardians, school staff and the community in the following areas :

School Guidance Curriculum – This curriculum consists of structured lessons designed to help students achieve the desired competencies and to provide all students with the knowledge and skills appropriate for their developmental level. The school guidance curriculum is delivered throughout the school's overall curriculum and is systematically presented by professional school counselors in collaboration with other professional educators in K-12 classroom and group activities.

Individual Student Planning – Professional school counselors coordinate ongoing systemic activities designed to help students establish personal, academic and career goals and develop future plans.

Responsive Services – Responsive services consist of prevention and / or intervention activities to meet students’ immediate and future needs. These needs can be necessitated by events and conditions in students’ lives and the school climate and culture, and may require any of the following :

individual or group counseling

consultation with parents, teachers and other educators

referrals to other school support services or community resources

peer helping

intervention and advocacy at the systemic level

Professional school counselors develop confidential relationships with students to help them resolve and / or cope with problems and developmental concerns.

System Support

System support consists of management activities establishing, maintaining, and enhancing the total school counseling program. These activities include professional development, consultation, collaboration, supervision, program management and operations. Professional school counselors are committed to continual personal and professional development and are proactively involved in professional organizations promoting school counseling at the local, state and national levels.

Management

Professional school counselors incorporate organizational processes and tools that are concrete, clearly delineated, and reflective of the school’s needs.

Accountability

Professional school counselors develop and implement data / needs-driven, standards-based and research-supported programs, and engage in continuous program evaluation activities

Prepares various records, reports and forms needed to conduct daily activities.

Selects, requests, and maintains an inventory of materials, technology tools, equipment, and supplies needed for daily activities; provides for safe storage and proper use of all materials, equipment and tools.

Effectively uses personal computing devices and software applications for the management of student records, instructional efficiency, and professional development.

Performs other related duties as required.

Minimum Education / Work Experience :

Master’s degree in school counseling

Valid South Carolina certification / licensure standards

• Valid South Carolina driver’s license

Preferred Qualification :

Knowledge / Skills :

Knowledge of the policies, procedures, and activities of the school district that pertain to the specific duties and responsibilities of the position. Knowledge of school policies, procedures, and operations. Ability to demonstrate proper maintenance, safe operation, and utilization of equipment, materials, and supplies used in daily activities. Ability to maintain high standards of accuracy in exercising duties. Ability to anticipate work to be completed and to complete work without the need for direct supervision. Ability to maintain confidentiality of employee and student records and information. Ability to interact and communicate effectively and professionally with supervisors, co-workers, teachers, students, and the general public.

Working Conditions :

Conducts duties in an environment with no significant exposure to adverse environmental conditions. Requires ability to perform counseling duties often subject to tight deadlines, legal ramifications, crisis and emergency issues, etc. Physical demands are restricted to work requiring occasional lifting / moving of items weighing up to twenty-five pounds. Limited travel is required.

Responsibility :

Responsible for supervising students, as appropriate, in implementing the total school counseling program. Responsible for guidance materials and supplies budget (if applicable).

Evaluation :

Performance of this job will be evaluated annually in accordance with provisions of the school board’s policy on evaluation of certified personnel.

Disclaimer Statement :

This job description is not intended as a complete listing of job duties. The incumbent is responsible for the performance of other related duties as assigned / required.