Job Title: Guidance Counselor Exemption Status: Exempt-Certified

Reports to: Principal Date Revised:  06/23/2023

Dept./School: Ripley Middle School

This is a Certified position.

GENERAL: The High School Guidance Counselor must hold a Masters Degree and be certified in the counseling areas of study. Will be involved in the daily guidance and counseling of all students, manage class scheduling, required testing such as PLAN, ACT, EOC, Writing Assessments and more. Must maintain transcripts, assist with college recruitment and applications, scholarships and ensure all graduation requirements are met.

May be involved in other activities such as small group instruction in anger management or teen pregnancy, Right Choices, etc.

OVERVIEW: 

Counselors work collaboratively with faculty/staff, students, families and community members to help meet the academic, personal/social and career preparation needs of ALL students.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

1) Service to Students 

a) Counseling and Consultation. The school counselor: 

1) provides counseling to students about adjustment to school and transition from grade level to grade level 

2) provides counseling to students about coping with difficult personal and family problems 

3) provides counseling to students in terms of increasing self-awareness and developing a positive self-concept 

4) provides consultation to students about decisions and goals 

5) provides counseling to students who are referred as having the following problems: attendance, retention, discipline, and pre-delinquency 

6) provides counseling in educational planning and placement 

7) provides counseling in career awareness and planning 

b) Counseling and Guidance. The school counselor: 

1) provides career development and educational and occupational information 

2) provides primary prevention instruction in areas such as sexual abuse and substance abuse at appropriate grade levels 

3) provides enhancement instruction in areas such as self-concept, interpersonal relations, and decision making appropriate to student development 

4) uses teacher and student participation in the implementation of the guidance and counseling program 

c) Evaluation and Assessment: The school counselor: 

1) provides academic development of students through the interpretation and use of assessments 

2) provides self-concepts development of students through evaluation and assessment 

2) Service to School Staff 

a) Planning and Program Management. The school counselor: 

1) organizes, coordinates and evaluates an effective school guidance and counseling program that is based upon needs of students, staff and parents 

2) plans and establishes jointly with educational staff a comprehensive guidance program that responds to development needs of students 

3) provides up-to-date, accurate student records as relates to the guidance program 

b) Consultation and Communication. The school counselor: 

1) aids school staff in establishing learning environments most suited to the developmental needs of students 

2) aids school staff in the early identification of student problems 

3) aids school staffing implementing a career development program 

4) aids in program planning for students with special needs 

c) Staff Development. The school counselor: 

1) orients the staff to the guidance and counseling services 

2) provides staff development activities for school personnel on topics such as achievement and aptitude test results, parent involvement, behavior management, student motivation and human development 

3) cooperates with educational specialists and other resources in developing strategies for serving at-risk students, such as potential dropouts 

3) Service to Parents 

a) Consultation and Communication. The school counselor: 

1) aids parents in developing strategies for supporting their children’s educational programs 

2) provides parent training to promote better understanding of child development and behavior 

and to improve parent-child communication 

3) orients parents to guidance and counseling services 

4) aids parents with appropriate professional services outside the school when needed

Candidates should apply online, provide a resume, licensure and PRAXIS scores, three Professional references, all college transcripts and submit to any required screenings. All supporting documentation should be attached during this application process.