School Counselor

Counselor Job Description

Reports to: Principal/Designee

Job Goal: The Counselor provides services focusing on the developmental, preventive, and remedial needs of school populations. These services include counseling, consulting, and coordinating activities for educational, personal, social, and career development. The Counselor promotes and enhances the overall academic mission by providing services that strengthen home, school, and community partnerships and address barriers to learning and achievement. The Counselor significantly contributes to the development of a healthy, safe, and caring environment. Such an environment is achieved by advancing the understanding of the emotional and social development of children and the influences of family, community, and cultural differences on student success along with the implementation of effective intervention strategies.

TERM OF EMPLOYMENT: 10 Months, unless otherwise specified.

EVALUATION: Performance will be evaluated in the NC Educator Effectiveness System, in accordance with provisions of the Board’s policy on evaluation of personnel.

Qualifications:

• A VALID North Carolina “G” certificate in Counseling.
• Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board may find appropriate and acceptable.

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Help plan, implement, coordinate, and evaluate the school-counseling program. Maintain an organized, functional, and up-to-date office and/or counseling center.
• Counsel students individually and in groups about their educational, personal, social concerns with the intent of helping them reach their full potential.
• Assist the classroom teacher with integrating guidance and character education into the curriculum by providing materials and resources, giving suggestions for integration with other curriculum areas, and presenting model activities to classes.
• Serve as 504 Coordinator.
• Is knowledgeable of and complies with local, state, and federal legislation and guidelines relative to the collection, dissemination, and confidentiality of assessment data and student records.
• Provide consultation to students, parents, and school personnel concerning interpretation and utilization of available data on student interest, abilities, and achievement.
• Provide consultation regarding use of student data for curriculum development.
• Contribute to the implementation of a comprehensive school guidance program through group guidance, staff development, and public relations.
• Participate in orientation activities for new students and work to orient all students to the guidance program and activities each year.
• Utilize and coordinate community resources to address student needs.
• Recognize personal or professional limitations by making appropriate referrals to other professionals who can address student needs.
• Assist school personnel in creating and maintaining a positive climate for student growth and development.
• Participate in School-Based Committee functions for suspected or identified students with special needs.
• Manage time effectively and provide services on schedule. Maintain records of services requested and delivered.
• Participate in staff development activities and assume responsibility for professional growth and development through reading, workshops, seminars and/or advanced coursework at institutions for higher learning.
• Deliver guidance and counseling services consistent with state and local policies, and in accordance with professional standards and ethics.
• Carry out other school duties as assigned by the principal to ensure the success of the total school program.

*This is an in person position requiring work to be performed from campus.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OR STANDARDS REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Physical Requirements: Physical demands are for light work.

Data Conception: Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural or composite characteristics of data, people, or things.

Leadership: Requires the ability to assess teaching practices and provide information in a way that is strength based. Requires the ability to meet deadlines established by the Principal. Requires the ability to bring groups of individuals to consensus when decisions must be made about instructional practices.

Interpersonal Communications: Requires the ability to speak to people in a way that demonstrates their strengths. Requires the ability to communicate with a solution-based approach.

Language Ability: Requires the ability to read data collection and reporting forms. Requires the ability to read and implement best practices from professional journals and educational research.

Intelligence: Requires the ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written and/or oral form; to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in or from standardized situations.

Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently.

Numerical Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas, to add, subtract, divide, and multiply. Requires the ability to understand mathematical concepts necessary to teach children problem solving skills.

Interpersonal Temperament: Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under average levels of stress.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

STANDARD I: School counselors demonstrate leadership, advocacy and collaboration.

The Counselor:

• Demonstrates leadership in the school.
• Enhances the counseling profession.
• Advocate for schools and students.
• Demonstrate high ethical standards.

STANDARD II: School counselors promote a respectful environment for a diverse population of students.

The Counselor:

• Fosters an environment in which each student has a positive, nurturing relationship with caring adults.
• Embraces diversity in the school community and in the world.
• Treats students as individuals.
• Recognizes students are diverse and adapt services accordingly.
• Works collaboratively with families and significant adults in the lives of students.

STANDARD III: School counselors understand and facilitate the implementation of a comprehensive school counseling program.

The Counselor:

• Aligns their programs to support student success in the NC Standard Course of Study.
• Understands how their professional knowledge and skills support and enhance student success.
• Recognizes the interconnectedness of the comprehensive school counseling program with academic content areas/discipline.
• Develops comprehensive school counseling programs that are relevant to students.

STANDARD IV: School counselors promote learning for all students.

The Counselor:

• Knows how students learn.
• Plans their programs for the academic, career, and personal/social development of all students.
• Uses a variety of delivery methods.
• Helps students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Uses and promotes effective listening and communication skills.

STANDARD V: School counselors actively reflect on their practice.

The Counselor:

• Analyzes the impact of the school counseling program.
• Links professional growth to the needs of their school and their program goals.
• Functions effectively in a complex, dynamic environment.

PROFESSIONAL EXPECTATIONS:

• Regular attendance
• Report to work on time
• Adhere to state, county, school laws, rules and regulations
• Adhere to Code of Ethics for NC Educators
• Follow appropriate communication channels with students, parents, school and community

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $50,000.00 - $65,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Physical Setting:

• Charter school

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Work Location: In person

Salary : $50,000 - $65,000