Itinerant School Guidance Counselor

Position Type : Student Support Services / CounselorDate Posted : 7 / 23 / 2024Location : County Wide-Hampshire County SchoolsClosing Date : 01 / 21 / 2025County : Hampshire County SchoolsDescription : POSITION : School Counselor IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR : Principal FLSA STATUS : Exempt EMPLOYMENT TERM : Minimum 200 days annually, pursuant to WV Code §18-5-45; extended employment days may be established by HCBOE SALARY : Pursuant to WV Code §18A-4-2, in accordance with Hampshire County Teacher Salary Schedule, commensurate with experience and education level plus competitive benifits package equal to approximatly 35% of direct compensation. EVALUATION : Performance in this position will be evaluated by the building principal / immediate supervisor and in accordance with WV State Code §18A-2-12, WV State Board Policy 5310, and HCBOE Evaluation PolicyJob Summary : The School Counselor "shall work with individual pupils and groups of pupils in providing developmental, preventive and remedial guidance and counseling programs to meet academic, social, emotional and physical needs; including programs to identify and address the problem of potential school dropouts. The school counselor also may provide consultant services for parents, teachers and administrators and may use outside referral services, when appropriate, if no additional cost is incurred by the county board." (Pursuant to WV Code §18-5-18b)PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES : (Additional duties may be assigned) Counsel students on an individual basis or in a group setting to resolve personal problems Work to discover and develop special abilities of students Assist the principal with the development of the master schedule Work to resolve student's educational handicaps Work to prevent students from dropping out of school Assist with student records and protect confidentiality of all student records Act as a liaison between teachers and parents when appropriate Remain readily available to students so as to provide counseling that will lead each student to increased personal growth, self-understanding , self-confidence, and maturity Take an active role in the interpretation of the school's objectives to students, parents, and the community Maintain a directory of referral services to utilize in crisis situations affecting students, such as suicide threats, alcohol or drug-induced traumas, etc. Coordinate with the principal to implement the crisis intervention plan; contact and / or assist other school counselors or psychologists as needed Develop professionally through membership in professional organizations and through personal evaluation of techniques used in guidance work Assist in orientation of students to the school facilities and school programs Assume other guidance related duties as assigned by the Principal, and / or Central Office Staff as required by State regulations Assist with staff development designed to help teachers better understand and participate in the guidance program Serve as member of the School Assistance Team Advise the administration and faculty on matters of student placement / discipline Other duties as assigned by the principal / central office staff Additional Duties for Elementary Counselors : Teach at least one thirty minute class session each week in elementary classroom at the schools assigned to provide a comprehensive developmental guidance program for students Provide technical support for the drug education and character program in grades K-5 Deliver the comprehensive career development program for grades K-5 and provide materials which can be used in meeting the guidance needs of students Additional Duties for Secondary Counselors : Disseminate and interpret test results to students, parents, and teachers Promote the collection, recording, and use of broad areas of student data through such devices as cumulative records, graduate follow-up, program completer follow-up, and the student portfolio educational plan Assist in enrollment and transfer of records when students enroll or exit the school. While the principal is responsible for the final student schedule, counselors would help meet the transfer student's unique educational needs Disseminate current and appropriate curricular and career cluster / major information for educational planning Relate curriculum and career cluster / major information to educational pathway options (Post-secondary one and two-year programs, military, employment, apprenticeship, and four year and beyond programs) Develops and delivers a comprehensive, developmental guidance program for all students Counsel students who apply for program of study career cluster / major class changes. Recommend student career cluster / major schedule change to administration Work with advisors, work-based staff, and administrators to initiate and coordinate career exploration and preparation programs for all students Assist students in advancing their educational or employment opportunities Transition students from feeder schools to be acclimated to the middle school and high school experience Coordinate and maintain scholarship programs Qualifications : Valid Master's Degree in Guidance and Counseling; Must hold or be eligible for a West Virginia Service Certificate in Guidance and Counseling, pursuant to WV Code §18-5-18b; Criminal background check conducted pursuant to WV Code §18-5-15c and / or §18A-3-10, as appropriate; To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and / or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. PHYSICAL DEMANDS : The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to reach, stand, walk, lift, grasp, write, talk, hear, see, use technology such as computers and multimedia equipment, and use repetitive motions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may frequently lift and / or move at least 10 pounds of materials. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision such as to read handwritten or typed material, the ability to adjust focus. The position required the individual to meet multiple demands from several people and interact with the public and other staff members.Working Conditions : The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Most commonly, the educational setting is indoors with outdoor settings. The noise level in the work environment is low to moderate (20-60dB). Exceptions include gymnasiums as well as vocational / technical laboratories where noise levels may be moderate to loud (60-90 dB). The information contained in the job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive list of duties performed by this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned by the Superintendent or his / her designee.The employee shall remain free of any alcohol or non-prescribed drugs while in the workplace. Alcohol and controlled substances which effect employee productivity, safety, or judgment in the workplace will not be tolerated. Application Procedure : Apply online Selection Procedure : All applicants must successfully complete an interview process; applicants' qualifications will be assessed according to applicable criteria set forth in West Virginia Code § 18A-4-7a; within the category of "other measures or indicators," strong emphasis will be placed upon prior satisfactory performance, employment history, and recommendations.