What are the responsibilities and job description for the VOCATIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELOR position at Bristol County Agricultural High School?
PURPOSE: Utilizing leadership, advocacy, and collaboration, school counselors promote student success, provide preventive services, and respond to identified student needs by implementing a comprehensive school counseling program that addresses academic, career, and personal/social development for all students.
The school counselor must be prepared to facilitate/participate in the following, to the extent necessary to foster an environment of academic, career and social growth for all students: supervision of students; protecting confidentiality; assisting in crisis management; consistently supporting student achievement; plan/implement student-related scheduling; guiding students through the college process; providing input into needed revision of grading/testing procedures; commit to and value ongoing professional development for themselves and colleagues as it relates to meeting students’ educational and social needs.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Plans, organizes and delivers the school counseling curriculum to students, consistent with the standards set forth in the Massachusetts Model for Comprehensive School Counseling Programs.
● Addresses the developmental needs of students, consistent with the school mission.
● Supports the learning needs of all students to minimize achievement gaps.
● Fosters a safe and supportive school climate by demonstrating and promoting positive interpersonal relationships with students, staff, parents/guardians, and community partners.
Implements individual planning interventions, in collaboration with stakeholders to:
● Assist students to develop/enhance planning and decision making skills.
● Assist students in the development of educational/career plans (individually, in groups, and/or by classroom)
● Promote accurate and appropriate interpretation of assessment data and relevant information.
Provides responsive services to students, in consultation with the school administration, faculty, and external support organizations to:
● Address all students’ identified needs individually or in small group counseling.
● Communicate in a professional manner with and involve parents/guardians, teachers, administrators and support staff as needed.
Monitors student progress on a regular basis to:
● Develop and/or modify curriculum and interventions based on individual student needs, including participation in the Special Education and Section 504 process.
● Track and review student progress with education/career planning.
● Identify students at risk and develop appropriate interventions, in conjunction with pertinent staff.
Manages and uses time effectively to:
● Develop and ensure adherence to a master calendar for program implementation.
● Develop, distribute, and post a calendar of events and services for timely access by students, parents/guardians, teachers, and administrators, to include MCAS and PSAT administration.
● Measure and analyze amount of time used to provide all direct services and adjust accordingly, consistent with school and individual priorities.
Collects and analyzes school counseling data to:
● Establish goals and activities that work to close the student achievement gap.
● Ensure that students are taking appropriate yet rigorous courses, consistent with their postsecondary goals.
● Guide counseling program direction and emphasis.
● Maximize effective use of counselor’s time.
● Measure results and disseminate information on outcomes.
● Plan for and improve program evaluation.
Encourages and provides system support to:
● Ensure that the school counseling program is meeting the needs of students and the school community.
● Support student achievement through collaboration with educational and community based programs.
● Conduct program evaluations.
Conducts or assists with a yearly program evaluation to:
● Determine the degree to which the school counseling program is being implemented.
● Inform appropriate stakeholders of program results.
● Assess needed modifications to the program and/or calendar.
Acts as a student advocate, leader, collaborator and systems change agent to:
● Ensure support for all students to foster maximum achievement.
● Ensure equity in the delivery and access of the program.
● Advance the school’s and counseling department’s mission and goals.
Takes professional responsibility to:
● Demonstrate a commitment to ongoing professional growth and development.
● exercise good judgment, maintain good attendance and punctuality , maintain professional appearance and exercise emotional self control.
● follow the profession’s ethical and legal standards and guidelines.
● value cultural diversity and inclusivity in school policy and interpersonal relationships.
EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS AND COMMENSURATE SKILLS
Massachusetts Initial or Professional License as a School Guidance Counselor, Secondary Level.
Vocational teaching/placement experience preferred.
Experience in student services in a vocational setting is preferred.
Ability to multi-task and work effectively in a fast-paced environment; excellent organizational skills; moderate to advanced awareness of technology, including data analysis; excellent oral and written communication skills.