School Counselor - Long Term Substitute (0.5 FTE)

Central Woodlands 5/6

Duration: Beginning with the2024-2025 School Year

Reports To: Building Principal

Job Summary: Under the direction of the principal, the counselor will be working with students, focusing on individual counseling in both the academic and personal/social areas, group counseling of students having similar concerns, and leading classroom guidance activities.

Qualifications:

• Masters in Counseling preferred
  • School Counselor Endorsement on Michigan Teaching Certificate or
  • School Counseling License preferred

Essential Job Functions:

• Conduct sessions with students on an individual basis, assisting them with social, emotional and/or academic growth, establish rapport with students in and out of class so that they have the freedom to express ideas and feelings.
• Meet regularly with administration and Student Services personnel as part of a “team” involved in the evaluation and delivery of services to students with special needs.
• Participate in IEPC meetings when appropriate or requested.
• Serve as the central referral person to parents for private counseling services.
• Consult with parents and teachers concerning student behavior and development.
• Assist with the testing program within the school and interpret the results of testing to faculty, students and parents as requested.
• Assist the administration in the course selection process by providing input and data concerning student course selection. Make changes in individual student schedules as needed before and during the school year.
• Participate in scheduled district wide counselor meetings.
• Attend grade level team meetings regarding student needs.
• Assist with planning, organizing, and implementing in conjunction with the administration, activities for the transition of students from the 5-6 building to middle school and middle school to high school transition.
• Promote communication between parent and school regarding academic and/or social adjustments of the child.
• Act as consultants to staff concerning students, parents, teachers, and administrator referrals.
• Serve as an initial contact for potential special education students. Through special educational team effort counselors help coordinate appropriate placement or services needed for individual concerns.
• Serve as the public relations liaison between school and community on topics related to the middle school guidance program.
• An appreciation for diversity and a desire to assist all students in becoming cross-culturally competent
• Enthusiastic, flexible, and the ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively with students, parents, teachers, and administrators
• Willingness and commitment to participate in curriculum development, school improvement, committees, and professional development
• Willingness to be trained and utilize in CPI, CPR, and First Aid strategies
• Consistent and reliable attendance
• Perform other duties as assigned

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, talk, hear (in a moderate or noisy environment). The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust/focus. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Work Environment:

The noise level in the work environment is usually loud to moderate. Work may be performed indoors and/or outdoors. The employee is directly responsible for the safety, well-being and work output of students.

Mental Functions:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to compare, analyze, communicate both orally and in writing, copy, coordinate, instruct, compute, synthesize, evaluate, use interpersonal skills, compile and negotiate.

Terms of Employment:

The employee shall remain free of any alcohol or non-prescribed controlled substance abuse in the workplace throughout his/her employment in the District.

The Forest Hills Public School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, or sexual orientation), marital status, disability, genetic information, or any other legally prohibited basis in its employment decisions or the provision of services.