School Counselor

JOB DESCRIPTION OF THE SCHOOL COUNSELOR
 

JOB DESCRIPTION
Utilizing leadership, advocacy and collaboration, school counselors promote student success,
provide preventive services, and respond to identified student needs by implementing a
comprehensive school counseling program that addresses academic, career and personal/social development for all students.

The major functions of the school counselor job description incorporate the North Carolina State Board of Education’s guiding mission that every public school student will graduate from high school globally competitive for work and postsecondary education and prepared for life in the twenty-first century and beyond. May supervise professionals, school counselor interns, paraprofessionals and clerical staff. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

Development and Management of a Comprehensive School Counseling Program 

• Discuss the comprehensive school counseling program with the school administrator. 
• Develops and maintains a written plan for effective delivery of the school counseling program based on the NC Guidance Essential Standards and current individual school data.
• Communicates the goals of the comprehensive school counseling program to education stakeholders (i.e., administrators, teachers, students, parents and community/business leaders).
• Maintains current and appropriate resources for education stakeholders. 
• Uses the majority of time providing direct services through the Guidance Curriculum, Individual Student Planning and Preventive and Responsive Services and most remaining time in program management, system support and accountability (National standards recommend 80% of time in Guidance Curriculum, Individual Student Planning and Preventative and Responsive Services and 20% of time in program management, system support and accountability ~ American School Counseling Association, 2005). 
• Uses data to develop comprehensive programs that meet student needs. 

Delivery of a Comprehensive School Counseling Program 

Guidance Curriculum 

• Provides leadership and collaborates with other educators in the school-wide integration of the State Guidance Essential Standards. 
• Implements developmentally appropriate and prevention-oriented group activities to meet student needs and school goals. 
• Incorporates into their programs the life skills that students need to be successful in the twenty-first century and beyond. 

Individual Student Planning 

• Assists all students, individually or in groups, with developing academic, career and personal/social skills, goals and plans. 
• Accurately and appropriately interprets and utilizes student data. 
• Collaborates with parents/guardians and educators to assist students with educational, career and life planning. 

Preventative and Responsive Services 

• Provides individual and group counseling to students with identified concerns and needs. 
• Consults and collaborates effectively with parents/guardians, teachers, administrators and other educational/community resources regarding students with identified concerns and needs.
• Implements an effective referral and follow-up process as needed. 
• Accurately and appropriately uses assessment procedures for determining and structuring individual and group counseling services. 

System Support 

• Provides appropriate information to school personnel related to the comprehensive school counseling program. 
• Assists teachers, parents/guardians and other stakeholders in interpreting and understanding student data. 
• Participates in professional development activities to improve knowledge and skills.
• Uses available technology resources to enhance the school counseling program. 
• Adheres to laws, policies, procedures and ethical standards of the school counseling profession.

Accountability 

• Conducts a yearly program audit to review the extent of program implementation and effectiveness. 
• Collects and analyzes data to guide program direction and emphasis. 
• Measures results of the comprehensive school counseling program activities and shares results as appropriate with relevant stakeholders. 
• Monitors student academic performance, behavior and attendance and facilitates appropriate interventions. 

        KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES 

• Extensive knowledge of human behavior, social systems and school counseling skills.
• General knowledge of the principles of organization and administration. 
• General knowledge of the North Carolina Guidance Essential Standards. Understanding of the knowledge, skills and processes for effective practice. Understanding of the school counseling profession including associated laws, ethical issues, professional issues and standards. 
• Skill in counseling (individual, group or family), motivating students, talking with parents.
• Consulting with administrators, parents and other professionals about student problems and appropriate change strategies. Also, networking with school programs and community agencies to provide essential services for families and children. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 

Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational functions of fingering, hearing, talking, and repetitive motions. While performing the responsibility of this job the employee is regularly expected to stand and walk and sometimes has to stop, kneel or crouch. 

Must be able to perform sedentary work exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. 

MINIMUM TRAINING/EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE 

Masters Degree in School Counseling or Counselor Education from a CACREP (Council on the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs) accredited university. Must be licensed in the State of North Carolina in school counseling. Must be eligible or possess School Counselor Certification. 

REPORTS TO: School Principal 

DISCLAIMER 

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees to this job.