Lansdowne High School Counselor Department Chair

Provides leadership for the development and implementation of an effective comprehensive school counseling program. Promotes and coordinates the design, delivery, evaluation, and improvement of comprehensive school counseling programs to improve the academics, attendance, and behavior of students. Provide advice and counsel to students, school administrators, staff, parents, and community members.  Performs related duties as assigned.

Department Chair positions and candidates are selected and renewed on a year-to-year basis.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:

Collects and analyzes student data to inform and guide the development of a comprehensive school counseling program that is planned and intentional, includes student competencies, activities to achieve desired results, and program delivery based on conducting a yearly program audit.

Uses data to affect change in closing the achievement gap and implementing a comprehensive data driven program that meets the academic, career and personal/social needs of all students. Shares results as appropriate.

Develops, manages, and communicates the comprehensive school counseling program with the school administrator and other stakeholders, including establishing and managing a counseling advisory council. 

Utilizes leadership, advocacy, and collaboration to promote student success, provide preventive services, integrate the Counseling Curriculum school-wide, and respond to identified student needs.

Assures that the counseling department develops and maintains a written plan for effective delivery of the comprehensive school counseling program based on the ACSA National Model, COMAR, and current individual school data. 

Implements services through the Counseling Curriculum, Individual Student Planning and Preventive and Responsive Services while maintaining program management, system support and accountability with data collection and counselor time on task monitoring.

Establishes a comprehensive developmental counseling program that assists all students, individually or in small groups, with developing academic, career and personal/social skills, goals and plans to ensure they are college, career and life ready.

Assures the school counseling program focuses its efforts on the mission of school progress plan and widens the educational opportunities for every student to positively affect student achievement.

Monitors the department’s process for developing appropriate interventions to assists with student academic performance, behavior, and attendance.

Implements an effective referral and follow-up process for the entire department.

Observes and contributes towards the evaluation of counselors in the department.

Keeps abreast of the latest information and trends in college and post-secondary school requirements by attending trainings.

Aids the school’s administrative staff with the development and maintenance of the master schedule throughout the school year.

Adheres to laws, policies, procedures, and ethical standards of the school counseling profession.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education, Training, and Experience:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master’s degree.Tenure is required for internal candidates.Three years of secondary experience for external candidates.

Candidates will complete the Prospective Department Chair Training sessions and the required interview.

Licenses and Certificates:

Possession of a Maryland Educator Professional Certificate with School Counselor endorsement.

OR

Education, Training, and Experience:

Education, training, and experience as required by the Maryland Pathway to Initial Licensure for School Counselor.

Tenure is required for internal candidates.Three years of secondary experience for external candidates.

Candidates will complete the Prospective Department Chair Training sessions and the required interview.

Licenses and Certificates:

Possession of, or eligibility for, a Maryland Educator Professional License and School Counselor Licensure.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of the principles and practices of school counseling.Knowledge of curriculum. Knowledge of effective instructional techniques.  Knowledge of instructional materials and equipment.  Knowledge of the ASCA National Model. Knowledge of and skill in data analysis.

Demonstration of outstanding written and oral communication skills.  Demonstration of strong leadership and human relations skills.

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

The work of this class is generally performed in a school environment.Work may require the ability to move around the school and classroom.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

Requires attendance at after-school and evening meetings and events.

Citizenship, residency or work VISA in United States required

GRADE: 

SALARY:       $67,508 - $121,924

Visit the BCPS Office of Payroll website for additional information on pay scales, other compensation and leave accruals at:  

 - www.bcps.org/operations/fiscalservices/payroll  
 

OTHER COMPENSATION: Position may be eligible for extra duty activities pay, or other student activities pay as defined in the applicable Bargaining Unit Agreement.  

FLSA:Exempt

RETIREMENT:Eligible for the Maryland State Retirement System.

This document describes the duties and responsibilities of a position or group of positions.It shall not be held to exclude duties not referenced nor limit the right of management to assign work to employees.

Established/Revised:3/2016, 4/2021, 8/2024, 7/2025

BENEFITS: BCPS offers a comprehensive benefits program for eligible employees including options for medical plans, dental plans, vision, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, disability coverage, and 403(b)/457 plans.  Other benefits include paid holidays, sick, personal business, and bereavement days, and flexible leave options such as FMLA, sick bank, and board approved leaves. All new hires will attend a benefits meeting upon hire.  

Visit the BCPS website for additional information about benefit plans for BCPS employees at   

This posting describes the duties and responsibilities of a position or group of positions.  It shall not be held to exclude duties not referenced nor limit the right of management to assign work to employees.  

Application Instructions:

Please read and carefully follow the instructions provided below.

• Applicants are required to have a completed application on file for employment with Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS).  Information on your resume and application must match. This information is necessary for salary determination should you receive an offer of employment.  
• Professional references must be submitted to complete your application. Examples of professional references include current and former principals, supervisors, managers, mentor teachers and university/college supervisors. Personal references from colleagues, friends, community members, etc. will not be accepted.    
• Be sure to account for all periods of employment and unemployment.  Failure to complete all fields of the "Work Experience" section of the application may result in your application not being considered.  A resume will not be the only document considered in determining your qualifications for a position.   
• You MUST attach your unofficial transcript(s) or license(s) to your application if you are applying for a position as a teacher or position which requires Licensure/Certification.  

Proof of Licenses, Certifications and Education:  

• Applicants are required to submit proof of licenses, certifications and education beyond high school to meet the required and preferred qualifications of the position. Diplomas or transcripts must show the applicant’s major field of study. Copies and unofficial transcripts are acceptable only at the application stage. Official transcripts must be provided only after you have accepted a contingent offer.  
• Failure to submit proof of Licenses, Certifications and Education may result in your application not being considered. Proof of licenses, certifications, and/or education must be submitted with your application.   

Proof of Degree Equivalency:  

• Applicants who have obtained a degree from outside the United States are required to submit degree equivalence documentation from a MSDE approved Foreign Transcript Evaluation Agency. This information is located on the MSDE website at https://marylandpublicschools.org/about/Pages/DEE/Certification/Foreign-Transcript-Evaluation-Agencies.aspx  

Pre-Employment Requirements:  

• All people employed by the Baltimore County Public Schools, regular and temporary, are required to be fingerprinted and have a criminal background investigation (per COMAR) completed. The fee charged for fingerprinting is $109.   
• Anyone offered employment is required to provide proper identification and documentation of eligibility for employment in the US.  
• If you have military experience, you will be asked to provide a copy of DD214.  
• Official transcripts will be required upon hire and must be sent via e-script/clearinghouse from your university.  
• Some positions will require employees to undergo a physical examination and/or drug testing.  
• All newly hired personnel must at