JOB TITLE: High School Counselor

REPORTS TO: Principal

JOB SUMMARY: To collaborate with parents, teachers, administrators, and community resource agencies to promote academic achievement and success, as well as social and emotional wellness for high school students. To provide high quality comprehensive counseling and guidance programs for high school students.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree or its equivalent from an accredited university, representing coursework in the principles and practice of educational guidance, child growth and development theory, educational testing and measurement, counseling, and the administration of guidance services.
• Valid Alabama teaching certificate in school counseling.
• Minimum of three years successful teaching experience.
• Ability to meet the suitability criteria for employment and/or certification licensure under the Alabama Child Protection Act of 1999 and Act No. 2002-457.
• Demonstrated proficiency in oral and written communication skills.
• Effective interpersonal skills, with an emphasis on communication and collaboration with a wide variety of people and groups.
• Ability to manage budgets and develop curriculum and programming specific to the needs of elementary school students.
• Ability to identify and solve problems as a productive team member.
• Ability to use technology to communicate, to plan and provide instruction, to facilitate student learning, to manage data, and to produce/submit required reports, correspondence, and/or financial information.
• Physical strength, mobility, dexterity, stamina, and acuity to perform job responsibilities.
• Ability to be punctual and in regular attendance.
• Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board may require.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Demonstrates support for the school system and its vision, goals, and priorities.
• Conducts counseling and guidance learning activities in the classroom in collaboration with the teaching staff for each assigned grade level during the school year.
• Consults with and is a resource to teachers to facilitate the infusion of counseling content into the regular education curriculum.
• Collaborates with middle and high school personnel to assist students in making a smooth transition to high school.
• Plans and coordinates the registration of students.
• Provides orientation activities for incoming students and their parents.
• Utilizes technology to plan and provide instruction and facilitate student learning.
• Models appropriate and innovative use of technology for students and staff.
• Interprets group or individual test results to faculty and administration for use in enhancing instruction.
• Informs students and parents of test results and their implications for educational and career planning.
• Guides 8th grade students in the development and in updating their high school four-year educational plans.
• Guides seniors to help them develop and implement appropriate steps regarding their post-high school educational and/or career plans.
• Coordinates, plans, and participates in the implementation of the school system assessment program in conjunction with the principal.
• Conducts structured, goal-oriented counseling sessions to meet the identified needs of individuals and groups of students.
• Plans and conducts staff development programs and activities.
• Facilitates conferences with teachers and/or parents and/or students.
• Plans and conducts parent education programs.
• Assists families with school-related problems and issues.
• Consults with and refers students with problems (and their parents) to community-based resources including, but not limited to, psychologists, psychiatrists, physicians, service agencies, etc.
• Cooperates and collaborates with other professionals in enhancing the education of students.
• Communicates with administrators, teachers, students, parents, and the community regarding the counseling and guidance program and its role in the educational program.
• Reviews the counseling and guidance program annually with the counseling and guidance department staff and counseling and guidance program advisory committee.
• Identifies student needs periodically and uses the results for program planning.
• Establishes a planning calendar for counseling and guidance program activities.
• Evaluates the counseling and guidance program.
• Serves on school and/or system committees, advisory boards, and/or task forces as needed.
• Participates in state‐approved evaluation program as required.
• Actively supervises students during assigned duty before, during and/or after school as directed.
• Supervises and/or assists with extracurricular and co‐curricular activities and assigned.
• Maintains appropriate confidentiality regarding school/workplace matters.
• Demonstrates initiative in identifying potential problems and/or opportunities for improvement in areas of responsibility.
• Engages in professional growth and demonstrates professional ethics and effective leadership.
• Reports potential problems, unusual events, or work irregularities to appropriate administrative or supervisory personnel.
• Responds to inquiries, requests, constructive feedback, concerns and/or complaints in a timely and positive manner.
• Maintains and submits reports, records, and correspondence in a timely and accurate manner.
• Properly uses and cares for equipment and material resources of the school system and effectively supervises and monitors others in the care, maintenance, and use of equipment and materials.
• Use effective collaboration skills to work as a productive team member.
• Serves on school system committees, tasks forces, and representatives' groups as required.
• Adheres to school system rules, administrative procedures, local Board policies, and
• state, federal, and local regulations.
• Reports absences and takes leave in accordance with Board policies and procedures.
• Performs any other job-‐related duties as assigned by the Supervisor(s).