School Counselor - Columbia High School

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides comprehensive and collaborative school counseling services to HCS students within an assigned school on an individual and/or group basis in order to prepare and assist students in the areas of academic achievement, career planning and exploration, and personal/social development.
• Contributes actively to the design, implementation, and evaluation of the district’s school counseling curriculum and related resources and teaches in the classroom, including but not limited to lessons in study skills, test preparation, career planning/exploration, goal setting, conflict resolutions, anger management, social skills, bully prevention, personal safety, and self-awareness/self-confidence.
• Consults with Principals, the School Counseling Services Coordinator, and other HCS staff as appropriate to implement effective school counseling activities and services, evaluate and assess data related to the school counseling services program and student progress, and assist with developing prevention plans and/or interventions for addressing unique academic, social, or behavioral concerns and/or crisis situations.
• Communicates effectively with students and parents to establish effective rapport, discuss academic progress and performance, communicate expectations, develop plans for improvement, answer inquiries, and assist in resolving existing and potential issues for the purpose of providing a solid educational foundation in accordance with each student’s needs and abilities while maintaining confidentiality.
• Collaborates with teachers and other HCS staff as appropriate to discuss students’ needs and progress and parents’ concerns, identify academic and behavioral issues, make necessary accommodations for students as required by Individual Education Programs (IEPs) and 504 plans, and make referrals to HCS personnel or outside professionals agencies as needed.
• Arranges and schedules orientation programs for new students and career/postsecondary planning activities; assists students and parents with preparations for making smooth transitions between grade levels and evaluating and planning postsecondary education and workforce options.
• Reviews student transcripts to ensure number of credits necessary and advises high school students of courses needed for graduation and relevant future academic and career endeavors as appropriate.
• May administer group standardized tests in accordance with state testing programs while following state testing security guidelines; attends training as required to ensure understanding of applicable standardized testing policies; demonstrates computerized testing programs to teachers as needed; and analyzes and interprets test results to appropriate parties.
• Coordinates and presents parent workshops and develops parent newsletters for the purpose of reducing barriers between HCS staff and students’ families, improving communication, and developing relationships.
• Plans and participates in various meetings to present and interpret information regarding School Counseling Services and serves as a member on various teams and committees as appropriate.
• Maintains research-based knowledge in state and national current trends and best practices within the school counseling services and career education programs; reviews current developments, literature, and technical sources of information; utilizes knowledge to ensure compliance with district guidelines and the state model; and participates in approved professional development activities for continued growth.
• May lead Section 504 responsibilities and efforts for assigned school in order to ensure compliance with applicable federal nondiscrimination laws.
• Researches current scholarship and other financial aid information through working closely with college, university, military, and vocational school representatives and advises students and HCS school staff of relevant opportunities as appropriate.
• Collects and maintains proper documentation (i.e., student files, various records, confidential data, etc.) for the purpose of recording activities, providing reliable information, and ensuring compliance with applicable guidelines and regulations.
• Performs other job-related duties as required.

Qualifications

A Master’s Degree or Master’s-level certificate in School Counseling and at least three (3) years of classroom experience. Must possess and maintain a valid certification in School Counseling.

Physical Requirements

Requires light work exerting up to ten (10) pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently. Job involves sitting most of the time.

Terms of Employment

Nine or ten month year. Salary as recommended by the Superintendent and approved by the Board.

To view the Huntsville City Schools Salary Schedule, right click on the link below and select Open Link in New Tab.

Huntsville City Schools Salary Schedule

This specification has been designed to represent the general nature and level of work found in this position. As such, it is not intended to contain all duties and qualifications of an employee in this position. Consequently, it is not intended to be perceived as an identification of essential job functions as required by ADA. Note: The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or logical assignment to that position.

Revision Date: June 15, 2015