Position Title: Guidance Counselor FLSA Status: Exempt

Responsible to: Building Principal Supervises: Students

Evaluated by: Building Principal/Assistant Principal

Terms of Employment: 205 days

Evaluation Period:

• Formative evaluations throughout the school year as per BCS Performance and Assessment Procedures.
• Annual summative evaluation prior to July 1.

Purpose of the Position:

• Provide a comprehensive competency-based counseling program focused on the learning, personal/social and career/vocational needs of all students.

Minimum Requirements: The following are the qualifications and minimum requirements necessary for a person to perform this job.

• Valid Guidance Counseling or Social Work License
• Strong organizational and leadership skills
• Knowledge of school law
• Excellent communication skills both oral and written
• Ability to use all applicable technology (Skyward)

Essential Functions of the Position: The following functions have been determined by Blackford County Schools to be essential to the successful performance of this position.

• Make him/herself available to all students seeking guidance and counseling services.
• Advocate on behalf of the student and/or his/her family. Take all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students.
• Facilitate outreach efforts to provide services to students, parents/guardians and staff.
• Connect students, parents/guardians and staff with specialized referral agencies.
• Understand, evaluate, and interpret academic performance data. Interpret information about students to the student, their parents/guardians, and staff.
• Implement individual and group counseling methods that are appropriate.
• Conduct career and educational planning activities.
• Participate in in-service activities promoted by the district.
• Submit required reports promptly and accurately.
• Schedule students in appropriate courses.
• Consult with students, parents and staff to assist students with academic/career planning.
• Meet individually with every 9-12th grade student and develop a career plan.
• Assist students with scholarship, college entrance, and financial aid applications.
• Schedule and coordinate ISTEP assessments as well as the ACT, PSAT, SAT, ASVAB, etc.
• Compile and submit data for the Course Offering Report.
• Adhere to and support board policy, school guidelines, administrative rules and directives.

Secondary Functions of the Position: The following functions, while important and necessary to the position, have been determined by Blackford County Schools to be marginal to the successful performance of this position.

• Perform other duties and responsibilities as needed or as directed by the Building Principal or Superintendent.

Knowledge of:

• Policies, procedures and functions of Blackford County Schools Board of Trustees and the Indiana Department of Education
• Applicable software and applications

Ability to:

• Plan, organize, and schedule priorities.
• Use independent judgment and initiative in making sound decisions and in developing solutions to problems.
• Discreetly handle confidential and politically sensitive matters.
• Make independent decisions in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Tactfully and courteously respond to requests and inquiries/complaints from the general public and staff.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, staff and the community.

Equipment Used:

• General Office Equipment (computer, telephone, copier, fax machine).

Place Where Work is Performed:

• Blackford High School or Blackford Junior High

Physical Demands:

• Must be able to sit and/or stand for long periods of time.
• Must be able to stoop, kneel or crouch.
• Must be able to hear and speak clearly.
• Must be able to lift items of 20 lbs. occasionally.

How this Job Description was developed:

This job description was developed by the HR Department.

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  Blackford County Schools assures Equal Employment Opportunities for job candidates and employees. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential tasks. This job description is intended to accurately reflect the position activities and requirements. However, management and administration reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and assign other duties as necessary. It is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills, or working conditions associated with the position.