School Counselor - High School

General Description:
School Counselors work with students to help them develop academically, personally and socially and to assist in career development through individual and group counseling, as well as classroom guidance sessions. Counselors consult with parents, teachers, administrators, and other professionals to provide students with the resources and services to help them to be the best possible learners. In addition, they serve as a liaison between school, community agencies, and post-secondary opportunities.

Job Description:

Essential Job Functions:

Academic/Educational Development:

Assisting students to achieve school success and develop skills to engage in life-long learning Counsels students (individual and group) in the areas of academic, career, and personal/social concerns.

• Provides programs, activities, and services which focus on helping children experience healthy growth academically, socially and for future success.
• Publicizes and coordinates information to students and parents regarding student opportunities such as enrichment programs, scholarships, special programs, etc.

Personal/Social Development:

Assisting students to successfully use interpersonal, intrapersonal and social skills

• Serves as an advocate for students and works to promote a healthy school climate and a safe learning environment
• Collaborates/consults with parents, teachers, administrators and community resources concerning student issues
• Assists with crisis intervention and in identifying and implementing prevention and intervention programs for students

Career Development:

Assisting students to become aware of life/career choices and participate in career development activities to prepare for the world of work

• Offers guidance sessions on problem-solving decision-making and academic and career planning.
• Assists students with course selection (secondary) relative to their educational pursuits and career goals.
• Coordinates participation in career-related activities.
• Demonstrates commitment to improving professional competence.
• Assesses student learning on an ongoing basis and alters instruction to meet group/individual needs.
• Uses the curriculum of the district to plan daily instructional activities.
• May perform other duties as assigned.

Budgetary Responsibility:

N/A

Report Preparation:

Responsible for verifying graduation course and test requirements and all reports which follow.

Equipment Operation:

Uses personal computer for communication and correspondence.

Contacts: All counselors work regularly with community agencies and businesses to bring resources to the students. Secondary counselors work closely with college admission representatives, military personnel and employers on a regular basis. Consults daily with teachers, administrators, and county personnel.

Work Direction:

N/A

Supervision:
N/A

Decision Making:

Counselors are responsible for individual decision making as they guide and counsel students in their development.

Formal Policy-Setting Responsibilities:

N/A

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here represent 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 regularly required to use hands to find, reach with hands and arms, handle paper files, records, computer and equipment controls, and talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, stoop or kneel. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:

The employee works in an office and school environment; the noise level is quiet to moderate.

Qualifications:

Working knowledge of appropriate counseling interventions in a school setting, with special emphasis on the study of interpersonal relationships, facilitative skills, brief counseling, group dynamics, and group learning activities, of family systems, peer helper programs, multicultural and cross-cultural helping approaches, crisis intervention techniques and educational and community sources for special school populations. Working knowledge of the concepts, principles, and methodologies of instruction. Working knowledge of academic curriculum and methodologies of instruction. Demonstrated ability to communicate with others effectively, both orally and in writing. Demonstrated ability in crisis intervention, decision making, problem analysis, conflict resolution, interpersonal relationships, planning, and multi-tasking.

Additional Job Requirements:

Post-graduate certification/licensure/endorsement in School Counseling by the Virginia Department of Education. Master's degree with emphasis in guidance and counseling.

Applicants considered for employment must successfully complete the following background investigations/tests:

• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Criminal History Investigation
• State Police Criminal History Investigation
• Child Protective Services (CPS) Investigation
• Tuberculosis Screening/Test

Compensation
$63,693.30 - $97,692.55

Hours Per Day
8

Days Per Year
210

Benefits

Chesterfield County Public Schools offers a wide variety of benefits to employees. Benefit offerings may differ based upon full-time and part-time employee status.