Middle School Counselor

Description

Job Summary:  This position reports to and is evaluated by the middle school principal.  The middle school counselor provides training and guidance to middle school students, parents, and teachers.

Required Professional Qualities

• Masters of Education in guidance and counseling
• State Licensure or ACSI Administrative Certificate
• Experience in secondary counseling

Required Spiritual Qualities

• A strong, clear Christian testimony (Ephesians 4:1)
• A lifestyle of biblical integrity (1 Peter 3:16)
• Believe and actively support the OCS Parent Covenant, Statement of Faith, Statement on Marriage and Sexuality, Statement on Diversity and Core Values (all attached)
• Have a conviction that God has called him/her to Christian School teaching (Romans 12:7)
• Be a Christian role model in attitude, speech, and actions toward others (1 Peter 5:2)
• Maintain high standards of ethics, honesty, and integrity in all personal and professional matters
• Actively involved in church (Hebrews 10:24-25)
• Encourages students to accept God’s gift of salvation and grow in their faith  (Matthew 18:15-17)
• Follows Matthew 18 principle in dealing with interpersonal conflict

Required Personal Qualities

• A spirit of dedication, teamwork, flexibility, and responsiveness
• The ability to respond to counsel (Proverbs 13:18)
• The ability to work in a team environment (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)
• Effective communicator
• The ability to focus, manage time, and organize to carry out essential job functions in a timely manner
• Demonstrate a sensitivity and ability to interact effectively with staff, parent, volunteers and students
• Meet everyday stress with emotional stability, objectivity and optimism (Philippians 4:6-7)
• Develop and maintain rapport with students, parents and staff by treating others with courtesy, patience, friendliness, dignity, and respect (Romans 12:10)
• Use acceptable English in written and oral communication. Speak with clear articulation.
• Respectfully submit and be loyal to constituted authority (Titus 3:1)
• Maintain a personal appearance that is a Christian role model of cleanliness, modesty, and good taste consistent with school policy. 

Essential Job Functions

Spiritual Leadership

• Model victorious Christian living to students and families (Philippians 2:1-5)
• Share and explain the gospel message to students (Romans 10:14-15)
• Integrate the Bible into all subject matter (2 Timothy 4:2)
• Model and help students to resolve conflict in a biblical manner (Matthew 18:15-17)
• Pray for students, parents, staff and entire OCS community (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Administrative Leadership

• Adheres to all policies and procedures governing the operation of the school
• Maintain an excellent working knowledge of all policies, procedures, and handbooks
• Respect professional ethics that require confidentiality concerning the sharing of information about children, parents or staff
• Attends and arrives punctually to scheduled devotional, committee and faculty meetings
• Maintains professional dress and appearance as specified in the Employee Handbook
• Represents the school in a favorable and professional manner to its constituency

Counseling Leadership

• Provides individual guidance for students and parents
• Collaborates with staff regarding student social and/or behavior concerns as needed
• Confers with parents regarding student social and/or behavior concerns
• Facilitates referrals for outside counseling
• Create a format for open or written communication to help parents navigate the middle school adolescents
• Works alongside the middle school principal providing teachers with curricular materials
• Works with principal and curriculum coordinator to develop and maintain professional development for staff
• Implement new programming (Ex. - anti bullying, anti drug and alcohol, social media awareness) for students in the areas of social and mental well being. 
• Teach a class or classes that relates to the counselor's skill set and knowledge. 
• Provides regular classroom guidance lessons

Additional Duties or Responsibilities

• Support the broader program of the school by attending extracurricular activities when possible. (Back to School Worship night, Big Bash, Saints 5K, Drama production, Athletic Events, Band performances, Fine Arts night, Carnivals, etc.)
• Treats all school owned technology (hardware and software) with respect, care, professionalism and in accordance with the Technology Use Agreement 

• Other duties as assigned by the middle school principal, including but not limited to, carline duty, lunch duty, break duty, etc.