Guidance Counselor- 1 Year Appointment

TITLE: GUIDANCE COUNSELOR 4.1 QUALIFICATIONS: 1. A Master's degree or higher from an accredited college or university. 2. Maintains a valid Massachusetts certification as a guidance counselor which is age appropriate for the particular assignment per regulations of the Massachusetts Department of Education. 3. At least three (3) years of successful teaching experience is preferred, but not required. 4. Proven ability to relate to a variety of constituencies, including but not limited to: administrators, parents, teachers, students, other school staff and visitors. 5. Possess good communication skills both verbal and written. 6. Demonstrated aptitude or competence for assigned responsibilities. 7. A sense of humor and a proven ability to work in a polite and friendly manner with all staff members, students, and with the larger educational community. 8. Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the School Department may find appropriate and acceptable. REPORTS TO: Building Principal, Director of Student Support Services, and/or Guidance Department Heads as appropriate. JOB GOAL: To address the academic, career and personal/social development of all students through the delivery of a comprehensive developmental school counseling program PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES (include but are not limited to): 1. Registers students new to the school and orients them to school procedures and opportunities. 2. Assists students in the course selection process and monitors their progress regarding academics, discipline and attendance. 3. Maintains student records and protects their confidentiality. 4. Collaborates with other educators, administrators, parents and the community to support student achievement. 5. Works to assist students in overcoming educational and social-emotional challenges. 6. Works to prevent students from dropping out of school. 7. Arranges for tutors and summer school work as necessary. 8. Helps students evaluate career interests and choices. 9. Assists students in goal setting based on academic, career and social/emotional data and monitors student transcript data. Page 1 of 3 s:Job Descriptions\EAPC\AuxEducPersonnel\Guidance Counselor 10. Works with students, both individually and in groups, in the solution of personal problems related to home and family, health, education, and emotional adjustment. 11. Provides support and assistance to students and families as they navigate crisis and emergency situations. 12. Convenes parent-teacher conferences when necessary. 13. Makes provision for being available to students and parents for education-related purposes outside the instructional day when required or requested to do so under reasonable terms. 14. Disseminates educational, occupational, and military information. 15. Assists students in making application to colleges and other post-secondary schools. 16. Makes recommendations to colleges for admission and financial aid. 17. Counsels students in the areas of educational and career planning. 18. Refers students to other schools, community agencies, or professionals capable of rendering services not available in the school or through the school counseling program. 19. Interprets test results to students, parents, and teachers. 20. Supports team in development of and follows individual student safety plans, IEP’s, 504’s, health care plans, etc. 21. Strives to participate in professional development opportunities to remain current in the educational field. 22. Assists the administration in implementing all policies and rules governing student life and conduct and, for the classroom, develops reasonable rules of classroom behavior and procedure, maintaining order in the classroom in a fair and just manner. 23. Attends staff meetings and serves on staff committees as required. 24. Establishes and maintains open lines of communication with students, colleagues, and parents concerning both the broad academic and behavioral progress of students. 25. Performs such other related tasks and assumes such other related responsibilities as may from time to time be assigned by the Principal, Director of Student Support Services and/or Guidance Department Heads as appropriate. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required of those in this classification. Page 2 of 3 s:Job Descriptions\EAPC\AuxEducPersonnel\Guidance Counselor TITLE: GUIDANCE COUNSELOR 4.1 TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: EVALUATION: SALARY: The regular school year plus additional days during the summer, mutually agreed upon by the Director of Student Support Services and the Counselor. Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with procedures established by the School Committee on the evaluation of professional personnel. Per current Teacher contract.