HCPS K-12 School Counselor

Job Description

Primary Function

The primary function of a Professional School Counselor is to provide a comprehensive school counseling program that enhances the learning process, provides support for social and emotional growth, and promotes career / college development in order to become contributing citizens of our community.

Utilizing leadership, advocacy, and collaboration, Professional School Counselors promote student success, provide proactive 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.

School counselors are professional educators with a mental health perspective who understand and respond to the challenges presented by today’s diverse student population.

Education and Experience

• Master's degree from an approved program in school counseling or a master's degree from an accredited college or university and completed an approved school guidance and counseling program.
• Must possess or be eligible for the Virginia Department of Education endorsement in School Counseling.

Program

1. Development and Management of a Comprehensive School Counseling Program

• Communicates the goals of the comprehensive school counseling program to education stakeholders.
• Maintains current and appropriate resources for education stakeholders.
• Uses data to develop comprehensive programs that meet student needs.

Elementary and Middle 

• Uses the majority of time providing direct services. (80% in Counseling/Guidance Curriculum, Individual Student Planning, and Preventive and Responsive Services, 20% of time in program management, system support and accountability as recommended by the ASCA National Model.

2. Delivery of a Comprehensive School Counseling Program

• Counseling Curriculum

• Implements developmentally appropriate and proactive group activities to meet student needs and school goals.
• Organizes orientation/transition programs and activities between elementary, middle and high school levels and for new students throughout the year.
• Provides leadership and collaborates with other educators in the school-wide integration of the Standards for School Counseling Programs in Virginia.
• Implements transition programs and activities between elementary, middle and school.
• Develops interventions based on current research in emotional and social development.

• High School
• Regularly shares up-to-date information on post-secondary planning to students at each level.
• Provides presentations and workshops on post-secondary planning for students and families: Super FAFSA Night, ECMC College Night, Virginia College Application Week, Electives Fair, Course Offerings / Scheduling Updates, Orientation, etc...
• Facilitates and/or participates in circle discussions with students and staff on topics pertinent to the school community.

• Individual Student Planning

• Collaborates with parents/guardians and educators to assist students with educational, personal, social, and emotional development.
• Advocates for the social and emotional well-being of all students.
• Develops, monitors and revises academic, career, and personal / social skills goals and plans for all students.
• Elementary
• Provides individual and group counseling to students with identified concerns and needs.
• Middle/High School
• Utilizes student academic, career, and personal / social skills plans to appropriately place students in academic programs and classes.
• Regularly consults with students on post-secondary planning.
• Accurately maintains and appropriately interprets/utilizes student data.
• Collaborates with parents/guardians and educators to assist students with educational, career, and life planning.
• Maintains updated records on students’ graduation requirements.
• Communicates students’ progress towards graduation with students and their parents/guardians.

• Proactive and Responsive Services

• Provides individual and group counseling to students with identified concerns and needs.
• Provides leadership, intervention and support when crisis counseling is necessary.
• Consults and collaborates effectively with parents/guardians, teachers, administrators, and other educational/community resources regarding students with identified concerns and needs.
• Refers students and their parents to appropriate resources within the school to provide follow-up services.
• Collaborates with Child Study, SPED and ESL teams to identify and support students in need of services.
• Conducts assessments to determine threats of abuse and self-harm/suicide risk.
• Reports suspected abuse and neglect to Child Protective Services.
• Collaborates with community agencies, counselors, and medical professionals to provide follow up services for students.
• Conducts home visits to support student needs.
• Accurately and appropriately uses assessment procedures for determining and structuring individual and group counseling services.
• Supports students in resolving interpersonal conflicts through mediation and conferencing.
• High School
• Serves on the Interdisciplinary Truancy Team and the Student Assistance Program Team

• 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.
• Models nondiscriminatory practices in all activities.
• Performs other duties as assigned
• Integral member of the Trauma Informed Care Team
• Promotes and supports social and emotional learning activities.
• Elementary
• Leads Olweus Bullying Prevention Program and supports Morning Meetings.
• Leads Effective Schools Correlate Committee
• Middle and High School
• Assists in developing a master schedule that meets the needs of all students.

3. Accountability for the Comprehensive School Counseling Program

• Ensures implementation of a Comprehensive School Counseling Program.
• 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.

4. Requisite Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of counseling theories and skills, group dynamics, and small group processes.
• Working knowledge of the ASCA Model.
• Knowledge of K-12 instructional programs.
• Knowledge of Virginia Standards of Learning.
• Working knowledge regarding laws concerning student rights and confidentiality.
• Working knowledge of student database systems.
• Working knowledge of gifted and special education programs.
• Knowledge of relevant School Board policies and regulations.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate with administrators, colleagues, central office and school based staff, students, parents and community.
• Emotional intelligence and maturity
• Objectivity and sensitivity to people and their concerns.
• Knowledge of cultural diversity and ability to work equitably with people of varied cultures, abilities, education level and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Understanding of best practices in Trauma Informed Care
• Ability to keep up-to-date records and documentation
• Thorough knowledge of standardized testing and procedures and interpretation of scores.
• High School
• Thorough knowledge of graduation requirements as outlined by the Virginia Department of Education
• Understanding of post-secondary education / career options
• Awareness of the needs of current labor market

Physical Requirements:

This job description is intended to accurately reflect the position activities and requirements. It is neither intended to be, nor should it be construed as, an all-inclusive list of the responsibilities, skills, or working conditions associated with the position. Administration reserves the right to modify, assign, or remove duties as necessary.

Updated 2/2017